With all due respect, we finally had a national that felt like a national should. For the first time, the Gopher Dunes staff took full responsibility as promoters, handling nearly every aspect of the event, from logistics to atmosphere, only officiating, television, and rider registration were outside their control. The result? A packed venue, with the most fans we've seen all season. The weekend had something for everyone: a bouncy castle for the kids, a pit bike race, and even the CMXU/PulpMX live show Saturday night. In short, the event was a hit, and the racing was on another level.

As for the 450 class, it's no secret the top 3 are typically locked in, barring mistakes. But this weekend, every one of the usual frontrunners had their issues. Jess Pettis crashed in qualifying and spent the day in the hospital. Dylan Wright suffered another carbon tank failure, causing him to DNF Moto 1. Phil struggled to put together solid motos in the sand and heat. The door was wide open for those who were error-free and ready to capitalize.

There’s been talk that some riders were "gifted" podiums, but that's part of racing. Many successful riders have made careers by seizing opportunities like these. It's not just about being the fastest; it's about accumulating points. And that’s exactly what Tanner Ward did. By staying focused and being ready to take the win when it counted, he claimed his first 450 victory.

In second place, we had the true Canadian fan favorite, Quinn Amyotte, who’s been on the verge of a podium all season. Followed but the dutchmen that we all knew would be good in the sand (Lars Van Berkel).

Dylan Wright and Mechanic Cory on the line for Quali
*Photo: Tree Three Media*

Since the race, several developments have come to light. While MRC has yet to issue a statement, it's important to note that this situation is still evolving and subject to change.

During Moto 2, Dylan Wright ran what appeared to be a stock, or near-stock, fuel tank after the first moto carbon tank issue. As a result, he felt the need to stop and refuel in order to complete the moto. Wright executed his strategy by building a large enough lead to pit without losing position. In post-race interviews, he stated the stop should have taken less than 20 seconds.

As many have seen in the video, the moment the fuel tank was opened, gas sprayed everywhere, clearly a dangerous situation. While this kind of fuel eruption isn’t supposed to happen and doesn't appear to be the fault of any individual, the real concern centers around the number of people involved in the refueling process.

While MRC has not publicly released an official statement, a Race Direction communication from MRC/Triple Crown has been circulating. The most recent report on the MRC website is from Deschambault 2024, so the final ruling remains unclear. However, based on what we’ve gathered, the circulating information appears accurate, though some say the situation is still developing. We will just have to wait and see.

The 250 class brought just as much excitement with Dylan Rempel getting his first win of the season, followed by Ryder McNabb and Sebastien Racine getting his first podium of the season.

WCAN Report
Presented by: Fox Canada

As the East Series is now in full swing and the West has wrapped up, a wave of young racers is heading east, whether it’s to prepare for ECAN or to compete in Pre-Mix.

Big news this week: SurfinBerms is heading east for the first time!

On July 17 at Riverglade MX, Danika White will be hosting a free Ladies & Girls Ride + Hangout, open to any gals interested in joining the fun.

National WMX riders will have exclusive track time and will be out in full force, not just riding, but supporting, encouraging, and inspiring the next generation of women in moto. It’s all part of a bigger push to grow WMX and build community from the ground up.

Contact Danika White or SpecMoto (Jessica) with any questions you have!