Nanaimo National Photo Report

By Billy Rainford

Photos by Clayton Racicot

@claytonracicotphotography

The Nanaimo round coverage is brought to you by Maple Ridge Motorsports. Check them out!

The Wastelands has been host to round 1 of the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals the past few years but this year the Vancouver Island track would play host to round 2. Whether or not the order would have made a difference is moot because two rounds are in the books and the weather was perfect for both.

Last week at round 1, Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Yamaha’s #105 Jimmy Decotis came away with the MX2 win. Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki rider #123 Brett Metcalfe took top honours in MX1. Here’s a look at the racing action from a warm day in Nanaimo, BC.

When the first gate of the day dropped it was #39 Vernon Motorsports Yamaha rider Jess Pettis out front. He had a solid day with 5-8 motos for 6th overall.

#32 Bow Cycle Alias Yamaha rider Jared Petruska lined up for both classes and was the only MX2 rider doing the big triple step-down every lap in moto 2. 9-14 gave him 10th in MX2 and DNF-34 in MX1 put him 35th.

The first moto was a tough one for the Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Yamaha riders. #20 Dylan Wright fell hard into the double-double section and was finished. He came back to snag 5th in the 2nd moto for 14th.

Teammate and points leader heading into the weekend, #105 Jimmy Decotis had engine trouble in the first that took him out. He came back to finish one spot ahead of Dylan in the 2nd for 11th overall.

#17 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM’s Seth Rarick struggled with a front brake issue early but managed to salvage 10-10 for 8th.

#762 Devil’s Lake MX rider Blake Savage put a moto 1 mishap aside and finished 8-9 for 7th place on the day.

He got out of control on the first lap and when he re-entered the track he collected #57 Todd Minnie. Words were spoken after the race but they went on with their days. Minnie’s bad luck continues.

#9 Strikt Racing Mountain Edge Cycles rider Morgan Burger looked good and battled hard for 5th place (7-6).

#620 GA Checkpoint Relax Yamaha’s Brad Nauditt polished his own cement gate and got out front in moto 2. 6-3 gave him 4th.

#14 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha rider Shawn Maffenbeier put his earlier crash behind him and finished strong with 2-7 motos for 3rd overall.

#21 Honda Canada TLD GDR’s Jeremy Medaglia rode strong and consistently again for 2nd overall (3-2).

#1 Kaven Benoit took both moto wins on his 250 2-stroke the was checked for compliance at the end of the day, which it passed.

#1 Kaven Benoit took both moto wins on his KTM 250 2-stroke the was checked for compliance at the end of the day, which it passed. Benoit will have the red plates in Calgary.

MX2 Podium: Benoit, Medaglia, Maffenbeier.

Clayton stood out of the champagne impact zone.

In MX1, Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha’s #7 Bobby Kiniry got to the front and finished 5-8 for 7th.

#55 Blackfoot Direct Fox KTM rider Keylan Meston grabbed the second moto holeshot and then said he was "terrified" on the podium. He held on for 10th in the moto. His 18-10 put him 13th.

#55 Blackfoot Direct TLD KTM rider Keylan Meston grabbed the second moto holeshot and then said he was “terrified” on the podium. He held on for 10th in the moto. His 18-10 put him 13th.

#26 Duroy Goldentyre KTM rider Michael Da Silva had to deal with 2 blown rear wheels going DNF-20 for 22. Watch for him to be closer to the front in Calgary.

#30 GDR Honda Machine Racing’s Kyle Keast fell on the 6th lap of the first moto and was in some good battles with Riley Brough and Dylan Schmoke. 10-9 put him in 9th.

DS Moto Customs RTR FXR rider Schmoke rounded out the top 10 for another solid weekend with 9-13 motos.

#761 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM rider Cade Clason is proving to be a great choice for the team. He has been ‘the next guy’ both weekends so far. 8-7 put him 8th.

Parts Canada Thor Husqvarna rider #3 Tyler Medaglia stayed close and finished 6-5 for 5th.

#123 Brett Metcalfe took 3rd in the first right behind Facciotti and then battled hard from mid-pack in the 2nd to finish 4th. 3-4 for 4th.

#123 Brett Metcalfe took 3rd in the first right behind Facciotti and then battled hard from mid-pack in the 2nd to finish 4th. 3-4 put him 4th. He will retain the red plates in Calgary.

#1 Honda Canada TLD GDR’s Colton Facciotti is very tough to beat in Nanaimo. He took 2nd in the first and then fell back in 3rd in the 2nd. 2-3 put him 3rd on the day.