Article by Cecile Gambin
Mark your calendars as ATV and Off-Road Bikes race for a shot at the 2013 Eastern Canadian XC championships as the Fédération Motocyclistes de Sentiers du Québec (FMSQ) and Offroad Ontario (OO) enter a partnership.
With a full motocross track, dedicated trails, and extreme sections The Burnt River Offroad Facility and Victoriaville are hosts to this inaugural event.
Following the FMSQ’s format, ATV’s will race Saturday while off-road bikes race on Sunday. Ontario will hold the first event on June 15 & 16 with the second races taking place in Québec a week later on June 22 & 23. Riders are sure to get excited about the Eastern Canadian XC Championships, along with being crowned its inaugural champion, comes bragging rights as top riders in Eastern Canada get ready to race.
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For more information please visit www.offroadontario.ca and www.fmsq.net
• “Offroad Ontario is anticipating a large field that will show how Ontario riders stack up against our French Canadian neighbors. All levels from Peewee right up to pro. It will expose the riders that participate, and their family and friends to real National feel events. A step-up from our typical provincial level events”, reports Cameron Lowe of the OO.
• Burnt River is a dedicated offroad facility north of Fenelon Falls in the heart of beautiful cottage country surrounded by lakes and rivers. Keith Quade, Super Vet. B, says “it is largely flat with a Canadian shield base. That said, there are definitely some challenging wooded areas as well. There are a few grassy fields used that are peppered with pieces of jagged and cantaloupe sized rocks. There is no deep mud anywhere due to the bedrock base.
• Meanwhile, located northeast of Montreal, the Victoriaville endurocross is a favourite among Quebecers and is easily the most popular event of the year with riders beaming about
its grassy hills and technical woods sections. Set on 300 acres of forest the 2013 race will feature a 15 km loop giving riders a bit of everything from fast sweeping grassy hills that connect rocky sections to twisty single track.
• Both courses will test riders not only in hard technical woods sections but racers will also be able to prove themselves on the MX portion of the track. There is sure to be fantastic racing.
• Expected to compete are both OO and FMSQ’s number one plates at all levels. This will certainly make for a great race. Pro rider Josh Long (KTM National Off-road Team) is anticipating a great race and expects spectators to be in for a treat as eastern Canada’s top riders duke it out. “I’m very excited to go race in Quebec and compete against their number one plate holder, and meet the rest of my KTM team mates” says Josh.
Machine Racing/Yamaha team mates Brian Wojnarowski and Zach Lewis enjoy riding the rocks with Lewis going on to say that “new property and trails brings out the best in a riders cross-country skills”.
• If you’re a racer this is a must. If you are a spectator expect to see some quality racing as top notch riders compete for the inaugural title. Watching pro-riders maneuver ATV’s with skill and speed through tight single track is as impressive as their two wheeled counterparts. With two full days of racing in both disciplines, the excitement level is gaining momentum and creating a buzz. So bring your vuvuzelas, prep your machines, bring a friend and let the games begin.
