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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-17, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1994. PAGE 11. CMC Trans Can Grand National Motocross Championships 20 years of motocross history By Chris Lee Twenty years of motocross! As tracks go, this traditional site is an old one. The land was originally part of the acreage farmed by the Lee family. An early ■ merest in motorcycles evolved into an interest in off-road riding. This led to the track becoming a local center of activity for many casual riders and aspiring competitors. A club was formed called the Maitland Dirt Riders which organized its first event in August 1974. This was for Juniors and Schoolboys only (today Beginner, Juniors, 80 Beginners and 80 Experts). Over 300 riders showed up and the event was so successful that another was held in October. The sight of riders sliding down frozen clay slopes dictated earlier race dates in following years. The Maitland Dirt Riders hosted a two-day event every year with Juniors and Schoolboys one day and Seniors and Experts the next. From 1976-79 Molson Breweries sponsored a provincial champion­ ship scries for Experts and Walton was a favourite site of both fans and racers. Racers competing in the Molson series came from Sweden, Japan, England, and of course across Canada and the USA. Qualifying heals for expert classes were often necessary and were expected for the senior classes. Three thousand to spectators to 4,000 spectators were not unusual. In 1981 Andy Bishop promoted the Ontario round of the Canadian Expert National Series. Ross Pederson was beginning his dominance of Canadian motocross which concluded back at Walton in 1993. With the resurgence of moto­ cross, stimulated by Mark Stallybrass and the CMC, the track was brought out of mothballs for a two-day event in 1991. Afterward, while reflecting on the success of that event and bemoaning the lack of a really major, prestigious event (such as Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals) in Canadian motocross, we committed the Walton track. It was to serve as the location on which to evolve the concept. The expectation was that it would lake up to five years for the idea to mature. We would build from a great natural track ridden on once a year. Strong community support, accessibility and support facilities. The emphasis was real outdoor style motocross, highly competitive with lots of extracurricular attractions and opportunities to socialize. The format developed was a four-day schedule with open practice and four long motos per class. Il was going to be expensive, risky and a lot of work! Would sponsors participate? Would riders come? Could we get everything done? What did we forget? Is it over already? EVERYBODY LOVED IT! Are we broke? Do we ever want to be this tired again? Needless to say the 1993 Trans Can National Championships followed and built on the excitement of 1992. Now in 1994 Walton is the closing race of the Pro National Scries carried across Ontario and Quebec. The fields of Huron County will once again reverberate to the pulse quickening sounds of motocross, the pageantry and the spectacle of the ultimate motorized competition! Be part of the tradition! Riders come from afar to compete in Walton Welcome io the third Annual CMC Trans Can Grand National Championships hosted by one of Canada's best motocross facilities, Walton. You'll witness riders from New Brunswick to British Columbia, Alaska to Florida, ranked from Pec Wee to Pro, battle it out in intense competition on this gruelling natural-terrain track. The reason for the excitement... the fifth and final round of the Pro National Championship Series plus the CMC Eastern Canadian Amateur National Championships all packed in to one weekend. if this is your first time attending the v'aljon event, you'll begin to understand why Walton is becoming a true Canadian motocross tradition. Il not only has four days of action-packed racing, but a number of post race activities have been planned such as beach volleyball tournaments, fashion shows, pig and com roasts, and live entertainment. Many months of planning have gone in to making this an enjoyable experience for all those attending. It lakes many people to ensure this event runs like clockwork. The task wouldn't be complete without each and every one of their efforts. We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for their lime and energy, and their devotion to the sport that we all love. The support from the riders, friends and families is overwhelming. We know, as riders, it takes numerous hours of prcparalioz) on your purl loo! That is what gives us the motivation to make this weekend a success and we thank you. The thirty second board is up. The excitement is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The goggles go on and spectators lining the fence arc full of anticipation. Adrenalin is maxed out! Five seconds; click it into gear. The board goes sideways, your eyes are focused forward. Finally the gate drops! IT'S TRANS CAN TIME! Vehicle pass offers extras For all competitors and their fam­ ilies, gale admission for the week­ end w ill be one time S65 fee per vehicle, regardless of the number of people in the vehicle. A vehicle pass will be issued for entering and exiting the premises at any lime w-ilhoul paying an addi­ tional fee. This includes camping, showers, bike wash, com roast and all after hour activities. If you will be using a motor home (for example) that will be staying on site for the four days as well as another vehicle for commuting, a S10 additional fee will be charged for the extra vehi­ cle.