Gopher Dunes Raceway kicks off eastern leg of nationals

From CMRC

This Sunday, July 17th, the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals kick into gear after a two-weekend hiatus at Gopher Dunes Raceway in Southern Ontario to begin the five eastern rounds of the tour.

In 2005, when Gopher Dunes was added to the nine-round national schedule for the first time, it was instantly declared the “toughest race” in Canada by the country’s MX1 and MX2 heavyweights.

For many riders, veterans and up and comers alike, the Courtland, ON facility, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, is their worst nightmare – loamy soft sand, deep ruts, and energy draining whoops are the hallmark of Gopher Dunes.

Gopher Dunes is a reality check that can be a humbling experience for even the most seasoned rider. Winning a race at this track is more than just a victory: it’s about bragging rights and knowing a monster has been tamed.

“Gopher Dunes is full of surprises and always a dogfight. It’s going to be a matter of who the best sand rider is and who is in the best condition. Anybody who thinks that the reputation Gopher has acquired as the toughest national track in Canada is a bunch of hype clearly hasn’t raced on this track,” said CMRC’s Mark Stallybrass.

With the season at the halfway mark, the MX1 and MX2 title contenders know they need to stay on top of their game and even step it up if they are going to mount a serious challenge against the current points leaders Colton Facciotti and Tyler Medaglia.

Although the Team Toyota Yamaha Blackfoot Red Bull Fox Racing riders have shown their dominance early in the series by handily winning the first four MX1 and MX2 rounds respectively, enjoying a comfortable points lead in the process, the championship in both divisions is still a wide open affair … more or less.

Only 20 points separate Facciotti from his MX1 teammate and defending champ Dusty Klatt, the only other rider to have won an MX1 moto so far this season. If anybody is going to keep Facciotti on his toes Klatt is the man.

Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki’s Teddy Maier, currently in third place 36 points down from Facciotti, needs to start winning races if he wants to keep his championship hopes alive. Nineteen points separate him from Royal Distributing KTM’s Kyle Keast, who is expected to do well on his home track this weekend.

Rockstar Energy Troy Lee Designs OTSFF Suzuki’s Bobby Kiniry, who trails Keast by four points, has his work cut out for him if he wants to return with the No.3 plate in 2012.

Kiniry, one of a handful of riders to win a national over the past five years, has already had more than his share of bad luck this season. Fortunately the American seems to have an endless supply of bullets to bite that keeps him soldiering on in the top-five mix.

In the MX2 Championship, Medaglia has a stronger hold on the points than Facciotti does in MX1. The Ottawa area native currently holds a 35 points deficit on Royal Distributing KTM’s Kaven Benoit. In turn, Benoit has 10 points on his teammate and Medaglia’s younger brother Jeremy.

While it’s fairly safe to assume that the series will go down between the Medaglia’s and Quebec’s Benoit, newcomers to the series Austin Politelli and Tyler Sjoberg are in a position to still have a say in the top-three outcome. The Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki riders currently hold down fourth and fifth in the points.

Look for Team Gopher Dunes Racing Suzuki’s Topher Ingalls, currently 10th in the MX2 points chase, to tear up his home turf with his teammate Nathan Bles who hails from nearby Varna, ON.

Also on tap this weekend is the first round of the eastern segment of the Women’s Nationals with the usual suspects behind the gate.

MX1 Points after 3 Rounds

1. Colton Facciotti 150

2. Dusty Klatt 130

3. Teddy Maier 114

4. Kyle Keast 95

5. Bobby Kiniry 91

6. Shawn Maffenbeier 79 

7. Brock Hoyer 78

8. Kevin Urquhart 78

9. Michael Willard 65

10. Mason Phillips 63

MX2 Points after 3 Rounds

1. Tyler Medaglia 142 

2. Kaven Benoit 117

3. Jeremy Medaglia 107

4. Austin Politelli 97

5. Tyler Sjoberg 85

6. Spencer Knowles 81

7. Dylan Schmoke 80

8. Morgan Burger 67

9. Kieran Leigh 66

10. Topher Ingalls 64