Raymond Reports Presented by Top End Promotions 

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

All is said and done for the 11th Annual Western Canadian Amateur Motorsports Championships in Raymond, Alberta. We saw many familiar faces up front at Temple Hill along with some new ones, like BC's Rachel Springman and James Moran who captured their first Amateur titles. The event is based around the demanding Temple Hill circuit, which, in my opinion, has to be the toughest track in Canada ... man, it's tough! The combination of whooped out everything, slick hard pack corners (which are really mean when water is dumped on them), sand, and countless off-camber corners makes for one heck of a ride! The weekend wrapped up on Saturday evening with the awards ceremony, a few cold cones, and a pleasant little surprise from Lethbridge Suzuki's Dustin Hayes.....

Fort St. John, BC's Trae Franklin (74) was perfect in 85cc 12-16, winning all three motos on his KTM 85. He didn't have it as easy in Supermini, however, finishing third overall behind Josh Pfrimmer and Jared Pestruska.  

The Golden Boy of the WCAN, Kyle Beaton, was plastered all over event t-shirts, posters and even the Nelson's Ford SUV! Sadly, wee-teeny-tiny-cute-and-cuddly Beets didn't race because he's still recovering from a baldy bruised shin from Regina.  With Chuck Mesley winning the GP Pro/Am and Youth classes, does that mean he's the new Gold Boy? If so, the Nelson's may need to invest in a bus .. just kidding, Chuck!

photo: Brault

Albertan's Stephen LaRochelle (52) and Jared Stock (32) battle in an internediate moto. Both riders fought hard all weekend, finishing around the 10th place mark in all three classes. Stock's best result was a fifth in the final MX1 moto, while LaRochelle's best was a sixth in the second MX1 moto.  

Tron Cathcart holds up his number one plate for his 85cc 7-11 championship. Cathcart also won the 65cc title over Cole Varty, Teagan Williams, and Jordan Devloo who all found the podium throughout the week. 

Melita, Manitoba's Brady Breemersch needs to move up to the 450 class. "Am I allowed to race MX1 with an MX2 license?" Brady asked me after I told him that he looks much better on the big bike. You certainly are, Brady.  His best ride of the week was the first Youth moto when he finished within a couple of seconds behind Jay Burke.

Breemersch and George De Graaf Jr. (266) fight for a holeshot in GP Pro/Am. I think it's good that Top End allows pros to sign-up; it gives local riders some new blood to race against and provides great entertainment for spectators. Other pros who made it into Raymond: Davey Fraser (23), Dustin Hayes (54), Cristian Hudiobro (138), Dylan Langlois (82), and Chris Colenutt (618).

Pete De Graaf's son, Pete Jr., is starting to blossom. "Nico" showed us that two-strokes still have some life left, scoring a podium and four top fives in the MX1 and GP Intermediate motos. Had it not been for a DNF in the second MX1 moto, Nico would have surely taken an overall podium. 

Langley, BC's Trevor Carlson was always looking stylish on his Kawi--and he even had a couple of top-10 finishes--but DNF's ruined his overall scores.  

Temple Hill is reminiscent of the good old days of motocross! 

photo: Brault

Along with his Supermini championship, Jared Petruska also swept the MX2 Junior class and went 5-1-1 for the GP championship. He just barely missed winning the Gaerne Bronze Boot. (Read on to find out who won the most coveted award in Canadian amateur MX!) Oh, and have you ever noticed that every kid who rides a Kawi and wears Thor gear and Alpinestars boots looks like Ryan Villopoto?

The first annual Endurocross National kicked off at Temple Hill last week. The course was a hit with the riders, and I overheard Lethbridge Motorcycle Club's Lorne Pavan saying that they might be holding an indoor event at the Enmax Centre this fall. Cool!

The endurocross course featured all sorts of tricky little sections, including this one, "The Nutcracker."  

Even the kiddies are getting into this new form of off-road racing! 

Look out, Heidi Cooke, here comes the newest women's sensation, Shelby Turner! Shane "Eddie" Eaton has been emailing Brett Dailey and I for months, telling us how talented this little racer is. We finally witnessed it first hand this week at Raymond, where Turner mixed it up with established women's racers and finishing third in all three motos for third overall.

Cristian Huidobro's mechanic/translator tried picking up just about every female who walked through the Temple Hill gates. I think he lucked out with a few of them, but only after introducing himself as Marco Dubé.

Karly Pozdnekoff's little brother, Rylan, was third overall in GP Junior. See, another Little-Poto impersonator!

Todd Heggie went 2-11-1 for third overall in Vet Master behind Mark Boot and Andrew Davenport.  

And the Gaerne Bronze Boot goes to ....  

... Miami, Manitoba's Ryan Millar! The RTR Performance KTM rider had an amazing week in Raymond, winning six motos and two championships. I know the Millar's really want to be at Sand Del Lee this week for the EANMC, but it's just not in the travel budget.  

Chuck Mesley (19) was caught off guard when Hayes (54) snuck up on him in the final Youth moto. Hayes tried everything he could to get by Mesley, but the wiley vet wouldn't budge. Not sure what got into Hayes. Maybe it was because he wanted to impress his future ... 

 ... wife, Jen, who he proposed to at the awards ceremony on Saturday evening! 

Hayes is a great rider and great guy, so of course she said yes! 

The Monster Energy Leading Edge semi was in Raymond all week while Jim Small's son, Greg, was racing.  

Greg rode well, finishing 11th overall in Youth and fourth overall in MX2 Intermediate. Did you know that his dad used to be the Yamaha Canada team manager back in the 80's? Now you do. 

Varty (260) leads a 65cc start over Teagan Williams (36) and Jess Pettis (39)

Top End Promotions' Gerry Nelson has to be ready for a lay-down! 

"I'm sure I left my car keys around here somewhere ... " 

See you at Sand Del Lee this week for the Eastern Amateur National MX Championships!