ARENACROSS RACE ACTION

KYLE SWANSON

FutureWestMoto Rd 6 from Chilliwack, BC,

INCREDIBLE

Contact: Kevin Lefebvre 1.250.460.0781Email: gap-mx@hotmail.com

Web: www.issuu.com/kevinlefebvre

All images, writing, design, publishing: gapmx

ON THE COVER, AND AT RIGHT: Kyle Swanson rides the wheels off of his Danyluk Racing / FXR / Proven Moto / Factory Connection / Mika Metals / Works Connnection / Dubya /Rekluse / FMF / Ride Engineering Suzuki, for the gapmx camera, earning him this month’s cover.

y the time you read this, the 2015 FutureWestMoto Ar-enacross series will have concluded, and champions in every class will have been crowned. However, if you have not yet had an opportunity to attend one of these events, do yourself a favor and put it on your bucket list of things to do in 2016! Even if you have to drive a few hours like I did, it’s a “must see event” for any type of motorsport fan. Due to other commitments, I could only attend Round 6, in Chilliwack, BC. And bear in mind that I am not con-tracted by FutureWestMoto, or its affiliates in any way to say anything about them, positive or negative, but I can honestly tell you that I was completely blown away by the experience. Everything, from the intimate venue, to the high-caliber “who’s who” list of riders, reflected a high level of professionalism. The race itself was held at the Chilliwack Heritage Park, a 150,000 square foot venue, easily accessible, just off of the TransCanada Highway. The structure comprises of four adjoining barn-like buildings, and the track was spread over the floor space of two of those buildings. The track itself was much bigger than a typical Arenacross event both in size and length, boasting two massive triple jumps, an over-under bridge, and a huge finish line double jump. The racer’s pits occupied the other two build-ings, and being on a concrete floor made navigating the pits very easy and clean. With the fastest lap times on the track starting in the mid-48s for the pros, the race course shared much more in common with a full-on Supercross track as opposed to a typical Arenacross track. The huge rider turnout neccessitated qualifying heats, and last chance qualifiers for many classes. The bleachers were situated close close to the track, and there was also a second-story restaurant/lounge pro-viding a bird’s eye view of the track. Covering the event was an impressive slew of media reps, including Brent Worrall of The Canadian Moto Show, and MXP’s Brian Koster. The caliber of top-named riders were matched by equally renowned moto-photographers, such as James Lissmore, Darin Marr, Michael Earl, John Bow-man, Shawn Watson and videographer Matt Koleman, just to name a few (there were more, but I didn’t get their names). FutureWestMoto spent quite a bit of time designing, building and maintaining a track that would prove to be safe and challenging, as well as making those in attendance feel like VIPs. If you haven’t seen one of these Arenacross events, I strongly encourage you to take in at least one event next year. You will not be disappointed!

B

MEDIA ROYALTY: MXP’s Brian Koster was on hand up and close with race-fans and riders alike.

Welcome show!to the

Annalyse Lopushinsky& Kayla Welsh look at the gates to see which one offers the straightest line to the first turn.

Young, old, and everyone in between, there was a healthy showing of riders competing in Chilliwack.

Austin Breda, Austin Wurster & company check out lines on the track at intermission following track maintenance.

New security personnel for the Gibbs. Don’t even think about messing with this girl!

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM: The track crew did an amazing job keeping the track groomedand fresh for the myriad of classes of riders that competed. The Canadian Motoshow was onhand calling the race action live to fans at home and abroad who could not attend in person.

JEDI MIND TRICK: With a steep take-off that sent riders skyward, the finish line double was a decent sized gap that required a full com-mitment. As Master Yoda famously said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Coming up short on this landing was simply not an option. Pyro action!

With live race broadcasting by The Canadian Moto Show, pyrotechnics, a jumbotron, supercross-styled jumps, an over/under bridge, and a pre-race show that intro-duced the top pro riders to the audience, FutureWestMoto went all out to ensure that attendees got a memorable show, and that the riders felt like superstars.Pyro action!

Tyler Bruvold quietly pushes his bike back to his pit after his victory in the 50cc 4-6 class.

Jake Anstett had terrible luck drawing starting gate positions, but this pin seems to havehad him starting outside the building! Nonetheless, Jake took 1st in the Pro Am Lites.

Tyler Bruvold quietly pushes his bike back to his pit after his victory in the 50cc 4-6 class.

Tron Cathcart gets some additional laps in as light from the setting sun streams in the building through the barn’s western doors. Tron would finish 2nd in the Youth class.

OUCH: Kyle Springman comes up short on the triple, but was able to save himself from crashing. Springman would recover to finish 8th in the Pro Am Lites.

2015 open pro chamion

1012015 open pro runner up

bradnaudett

Noah McConahy 96

Noah McConahy 96

keylan meston

keylan meston

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Devyn “Fuzzy” Smith left Round 6 in Chilliwack with a fourth place finish in the 85CC (7-11) class, and third in the 65cc (10-11) class. He would finish the series two rounds later to claim fourth place overall in the 85cc 7-11 class and second place overall in the 65cc 10-11 class! Way to go, Devyn!

30Racer ProfileDevyn SmithHello, my name is Devyn Smith, and I am from Mis-sion, British Columbia. I am in grade 5 and I have been riding dirt bikes since I was 3 years old. My first dirt bike was a KDX50 that I got for Christmas. I am now 10 years old, and I race a Kawasaki KX65 and KX85. When I am not racing, I like riding my electric trials bike over rocks, logs and down steep slopes. So far my favorite arenacross track was Penticton, and my favorite outdoor track is Walton Ontario. My favorite rider is Ryan Lockhart because he is consistent and smooth. I was really happy this year getting top 10 at Walton Ontario on my KX65. I’m looking forward to

practicing and racing in preparation for the 2016 Wal-ton Trans Can!!!!!! I would like to thank all my friends, family, team mates and sponsors:Maple Ridge Motorsports, Arai helmets, Dunlop tires, Team Green Canadian Kawasaki, Atlas Brace Technol-ogy, Rekluse Canada, Matrix Concepts, Ride 100% gloves and goggles, Alpinestar Boots, 2undr under-wear, Rod at RMR suspensions, FOX Motocross gear, Mongoose machine and NEXT Components unbreak-able levers. Follow me on Instagram @devyn_dirtbikeracer30

green avenue photography motocross’

New KidBeginner

The level every racer started out at

RIGHT: KTM mounted Mattaus Fogliato (137) gets a great jump out of the gate, while fellow KTM rider Tristen Bennett (222) makes a small mistake and goes down on the start. Bennett would recover to eventually claim third place, but these shots make us appreciate how challenging the ruts are for the riders on the small-wheeled bikes.

Ryaland Popoff takes KTM rider Wesley Golsteyn (199) up high through the corner trying to avoid this bike-eating rut, en route to a 7th place finish. Golsteyn would go on to take home eigth place.

Two bikes in the same spot at the same time don't work, regardless of the class. Both riders would quickly get going, Mackenzie Kingston (209) claiming fourth place, Winter Davies (101) claiming fifth. Honda mount-ed Chase Verschuur (3) would have similar difficulties in this spot, but recovered to a twelfth place finish.

LIGHTING THE CANDLES: Kawaskai’s Hunter Bennet would navigate through the ruts and bumps to best in the New Kid Beginner class. Congrats Hunter!

Intermediate mx2

THE FLANNEL TELLS THE TALE: unseasonably cool temperatures set in before the night show, forcing riders to make some adjustments to their racing attire. Riley Heinrichs (115) overcame the chills to top the podium over Carson McQueen (177) and Seth Weintz (222) in the highly competitive MX2 class in Rd 6.

Intermediates

MX 3 series champ, Skyller Archer!

MX 2 series champ, Carson McQueen!

Young Ladies

Action MotorcyclesCarmen’s Creative KitchenDecal WorksFox CanadaIllusive GlovesMotocrossvest.comOGIO

Pro TaperOver the Moon DaycareSG PowerScorpion EXOStreamline BrakesTwin Air

Kayla Welsh would race to 3rd place in round 6, but would claim second place overall in the standings at the end of the series.

26Kayla Welsh

Payton Bruvold took home the win in the Young Ladies class. Payton’s lowest finish in the series was second place, allow-ing her to claim the series title!

supermini

RAMPAGE: Julien Benek set an absolute blistering pace in the Supermini class on his way to the class win on Saturday night. Julien emerged the series champion after the final round. This kid has a very bright future!

RIGHT: Teron Wurster (651) leads KTM mounted Cooper Martin (230) through one of the back sec-tions of the course. Wurster would move up to sec-ond in the hottly contested Supermini class, while Martin would finish in 11th. BELOW: Daniel Elmore rode impressively to fourth place in the Supermini.

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See you in 2016!Mer

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