KTM RIDE ORANGE MOTO TOUR 2012 Round 1: Agassiz, BC Sunday April 15 The opening round of the KTM RIDE ORANGE Moto Tour 2012 (Canadian edition!) kicked off last Sunday in beautiful Agassiz, BC. We’re happy to say that the event went off without a hitch … well, there were a few small ones but nothing that the Moto Tour team couldn’t overcome. KTM demo riders arrived to a well prepped track, with many thanks to two hard working good ol’ boys, Joe and Laurence St Pierre. For many years, these two men have been making sure local kids and families have a quality moto track to ride and race on. I know KTM ambassador, JSR, was wishing he had of brought his gear! After getting signed up, demo riders took turns trying out a wide range of new 2012 KTM MX and off-road models. Unfortunately, while some stops feature moto and off-road courses, we could only utilize a MX track in Agassiz. But that didn’t slow down riders from putting time on all-new EXC, XC-F and XC two-stroke models. Local KTM dealers, Maple Ridge and Holeshot Racing, backed the Agassiz event. Riders who signed up through KTM dealers before the event were considered “VIP” and got first dibs on the new bikes. After lunch, anyone else riding practice (and were 18 or older) were free to sign up. At the end of the day, over 80 people rode Orange! Since it was an organized group practice, we made concessions to have KTM groups fit in between all other practices. Each KTM group received about 10 minutes on the track. A few industry celeb types joined us; we were happy to have KTM off-road pro, Geoff Nelson, hanging out in the pits with his better half (and 150 SX lover), Madelynn. KTM ambassador, JSR, was there assisting demo riders with any questions and offering riding advice. The guy is not only a champion on the track, but off it as well—a tip of the hat to the “The King of Canadian MX” for helping out. Fox Canada and Atlas Brace also set up displays, offering “demos” to anyone who wanted to try on Fox’s brand new Instinct boot, or get fitted with the Atlas neck brace system. Expect to see more Fox boot impressions at the following Moto Tour events. The RIDE ORANGE Moto Tour truck is now headed to Bear Creek in Kelowna, BC on Wednesday April 18th. From there, the team heads to events in Kamloops, Calgary and Raymond, AB before coming East. Find the full schedule at ktmcanada.com. (PLEASE NOTE: The demo on Saturday April 21st has been changed to Whispering Pines Raceway in Kamloops, BC. The original location was to be in Edmonton, but weather has made track conditions unrideable.)
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, Québec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com
WHAT A VIEW: The beautiful BC countryside sure added to the look and feel of the first Moto Tour!
The Agassiz track features 2 minute plus lap times, with many fun obstacles for riders of all abilities. Of course, the ground does become quite hard since it’s on a mountain side, but the track workers do a great job of keeping the dirt moist and tractable.
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, QuĂŠbec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com
DEMO ALLEY: Along with trying out new 2012 KTMs, those in attendance were also given opportunities from Fox Canada and Atlas Brace to experience their latest products.
THE KING: Jean-Sebastien Roy (JSR) won a lot of fans with efforts and results on the track, but what’s just as impressive is his down-to-earth attitude and approach with everyone he talks to. It was quite an experience for many riders to have their bars and levers adjusted or tanks fueled up by Canada’s greatest MX Racer.
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, Québec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com
Joe Godsall is one of the men responsible for keeping the Agassiz track in good working order.
KTM’s MOST WANTED: It was probably a tie between the 350 SX-F and 150 SX as the ‘most wanted’ KTM of the day. Two-strokes are here to stay!
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, Québec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com
While the 500 EXC is much more at home on loose gravel roads, that didn’t stop riders from enjoying it on a MX track. One rider couldn’t get enough of the big bike … “I could ride it to the track, race, and then ride it home!” he said.
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, Québec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com
RTR Performance KTM’s Geoff Nelson and wife, Madelynn, enjoying the day with KTM’s Western Sales Manager, Blaine Schuttler.
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, Québec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com
See you at Round 2 in Kelowna, BC!
KTM CANADA INC. 1375-1 Marie-Victorin // ST-Bruno, QuĂŠbec, J3V 6B7 // T: 450-441-4451 // F: 450-441-3885 www.ktm.com