JULY 29, 2008
By Danny BraultNational Track Tour Presented by Sturgessonline.com
The Wastelands track in Nanaimo, British Columbia
Photos by James Lissomore
Welcome to The Wastelands. This track has been featured on the CMRC national schedule since 1997 when Blair Morgan swept all four motos on his Two Wheel Kawasakis. The Wastelands has been an unique fixture on the circuit mainly because of its location on beautiful Vancouver Island and its hard, shale based terrain that leaves riders with more wounds than a Vietnam soldier.
Unfortunately, it’s legacy came to an end this year when it was announced shortly before the national that Nanaimo will be replaced by the Whispering Pines track in Kamloops on the mainland. High ferry costs was the main reason behind the CMRC no longer visiting The Wastelands, but it’s no secret that riders and teams haven’t been pleased with the facility or track in the last few years. The track basically sits on a mountainside, making it difficult to rip and water the soil because there really isn’t any soil, just rock.
This year’s track layout was quite different from years’ past; the biggest change being that it was run backwards. I will admit that The Wastelands is not one of my favourite tracks as a spectator, but I actually had a lot of fun riding the track. Other than the dusty conditions, the track flowed quite nicely and I wasn’t in a rush to stop riding. Man, it’s no joke about that roost though—it hurts! Fortunately, “The Giver” sacrificed his flesh to give you viewers a lap around The Wastelands track. What a good guy, eh?
