Moving Forward

Reposted from IMX Racer's Blog.

Matt McAnanama is a pretty soft spoken guy when it comes to face to face. He doesn’t seem as interested in the politics of enduros in Ontario as he is in helping Ontario racers get to the level of the rest of Canada, where we can then push each other, as a nation, to step up to a world class level of competition.

Building on the success of organizing his first enduro, the final round of the CEC in Parry Sound, Ontario, Matt has realigned himself with the WEC in order to present an “Enduro Sprint” series (ES). The series will run in partnership with the Ontario Cross Country series (XC), with a possibility of four rounds spread over the summer. The ES races will be held the Saturday prior to the XC event. McAnanama has planned it so the four events will take place at more “remote” locations; places where riders usually camp out the night before. So far they have three confirmed venues: Burnt River, Wingham and Orillia.

The ES races will incorporate the three tests found in a WEC style enduro race without the transfer trials. Basically, riders will complete three individually timed tests, come into the pits for a short break, before going out once more and doing the timed tests again; ideally McAnanama suggests that it should take a Pro-level rider approximately 20 to 25 minutes to complete the three test sections, with most of the time allotted to the enduro test. Riders will do this between six and ten times in a day of tough competition. The class structure will be very similar to the WEC, though he admits that the Pro class might be amalgamated into a singular E class, rather than broken down by displacement.

“It’s a lack of development more than a lack of talent,” McAnamara commented when asked about Wiesner’s comment on the WEC website. “The talent is there; we just need to bring it out. We need an environment where riders like Van Hove and Wojo can thrive... Even Jake said when he came here, he was more relaxed; he rode at a slower pace. When he went out west, he was challenged again.” McAnanama hopes that with these extra practice tests, which will be run as races therefore pushing riders to put their fastest times down, can help draw out the latent talent.

But McAnanama hopes to draw more than just the guys who want extra practice time before Parry Sound and Labelle. He and his crew hope to draw riders who would traditionally not run a WEC style enduro, both young and old. He marks that traditional, “old school” enduros tend to draw an older crowd, and with the largest classes at the Terra Nova enduro last October being the veteran classes it’s hard to disagree. Many younger riders, according to McAnanama, are turned off enduros by the expensive and complicated gear that goes along with it. The Enduro sprints won’t be the same as the XC series, where motocross riders are encouraged to throw on a set of bark busters and blast through the woods, but the extra gear required will be minimal. Like the larger series, bikes will be required to meet a maximum sound level.

The series is looking to attract riders from all levels, from C straight through to Pro. Motocrossers aren’t part of the necessary target, but technically speaking anyone interested in running one of the XC events will be welcome to sign up, provided their machine meets the requirement. He’s also looking for rider input, and understands that without the riders there’s really no point in having a series.

“A lot of people “hmmed” and “hawed” about whether or not something like this would work,” McAnanama said about the series. “But really, the only way to know for sure is to go out and do it. You’ll never know if an event will fly unless you try.” Matt’s positive attitude will be as much a benefit for the series as the change itself, it stands in direct contrast to the old guard’s staunch adherence to tradition in the face of rider dissatisfaction and abysmal turn out.

When asked about where the thinks off road riding in Ontario will be in ten years, whether or not our riders will be up on the same level as the rest of the country, McAnanama said: “It all depends. We’re at a cross road right now. Change has to happen. Change had to happen ten years ago, but things are finally happening now. Right now we’re trying to make some events, try some things out and have some fun.”
When all was said and done, and my questions were pretty much answered, I had some fun questions for Matt to answer about his favourite riders and his picks for the 2010 season.

Who will win the #1 plate this year in the CEC: Jason Schrage; I think he really has a great riding style and is an awesome guy. He’s a fantastic rider, and was one of the few who had something to bring to Bobby.

Who’s going to get the first Pro Championship in the XC series: Jake Stapleton; he’s a fast, consistent and technical rider. Not to discount guys like Wojo, Wilkins or Van Hove, but my money’s on Jake.

Who do you think will get the first Pro Championship in the ES series: I really don’t know. Whoever has the fastest times, I guess! *laugh* It’s different than the CEC or the XCs, so it’s hard to say.

Who’s going to take the #1 Supercross plate: Well, now Dungey for sure. Which is great; he’s a very talented rider.

Who is your favourite Canadian rider, enduro or mx: As a person? Jake; he’s Canadian now, right? To watch, I love watching Dusty Klatt, he’s got incredible style.

Who is your favourite Canadian enduro rider: Cory Graffunder, hands down. That boy has skills. I really hope he can get out to some of the CECs. He’s an excellent ambassador for the sport and for Canada.

Who is your favourite International rider: Juha Salmonen; that man can ride! And it really speaks to his character when he stayed with BMW and made it work. He understands that there’s some hard work involved in being part of a team, and that’s really respectable.

Who is your favourite rider of all time: Well, that’s easy. The Greatest of All Time. No one is ever going to beat Ricky, both on and off the track Ricky Carmichael was dedicated.