Montreal, Canada (10/1/2008)
- On september 20th, the Annual Montreal Supercross
took place in the Olympic Stadium in front of
50 000 fans. For me, this event is really important
as it allow ATV racers to really show what they
can do. I always work hard to have the promoters
make a good race track for the ATV. Each year
is a work in progress, it is never easy. But
for me it come down to the love of my sport
and really making it grow and shine. I want
people to leave the race and be: WOW ATV racing
is great. I try to push my sport as much possible
for the event, doing more than racing. This
year I was doing a TV show of the ''Make a wish''
type, that will air soon.
|
Richard
Pelchat standing infront of the packed
Olympic Stadium
|
This year was something... with 10 AMA pro
regulars racing the event, Can-Am was sponsoring
the event in part and bringing up the Warnert
and Epic semi . All was set for a good show.
I hoped we would have a great track. Somehow,
on race day, it was decided that the TT style
Autocross track would be perfect for us...WHAT...
I proposed a different track in the actual layout
of the stadium that would be good and allow
for some big air and a good show, I got a big
NO. The referee got my feeling. A few local
racers got it too. I was fired up. For me it
was like having the ATV do a circle in the grass
at the annual Invitationnal race at Steel City
rather than race the MX track!!! Believe me,
I work too hard, love my sport and respect my
sponsors way too much for this. After the first
practice, the track mistake was realized...and
they changed the layout, THANKS.
For the racing part, I tried focus on my riding
and forget about the rest. In timed qualifier,
I ran into a few problems and never really put
the hammer down and recorded the 10 fastest
lap time, good enough for a front row start
but a good wake up call. With the night show
under way and the fans cheering for their favorites,
it was time for the first preliminary race,
a small 5 laps. Once again, I got hung up in
the start, losing 1 lap to get unstuck. Once
I got going, I rode really good and found my
groove on the track. This bad race got me a
second row start for the main.
I lined up behind Pat Brown on the start of
the 10 laps main, I was in my zone ready to
make up for the preliminary race. Despite a
back row pick, I got a good start and got out
of the first corner in 7th. On the first lap,
Jasmin Plante went a bit wide and I stole the
inside on him for a pass. I was right on Thomas
Brown after that. The top 3 had already started
to gap. I was finally able to make a pass on
Thomas on a technical jump. I crossed the finish
line 4th. Am I happy ....well I really wanted
to win, but at least I was able to end the event
on a high note which is a first for me at the
Montreal Supercross.
Once again, I think the fans got a really good
show and will be looking forward to the ATV
race next year.
Thanks for all my sponsors:
Can-am/BRP, Groupe Vertdure, ELKA suspension,
RP Evolution, Full Throttle
energy drink, ITP, Motovan/Xtreme, Hindle, Hipertech
lubricants, Rage ATV, Sixsixone/sunline, Powermadd,
TY moteurs.
www.rpevolution.com