Canadian MX1 Pro Riders Penalized for Boycott
June 21, 2007 - A penalty has been issued to the MX1 Pro classed riders by CMRC with full support of all participating manufacturers for their actions that took place this past weekend at the third round of the national series at Shadow Valley Raceway in Morden, Manitoba.
Rather than fining each rider individually, the Manufacturer series purse for the MX1 class will be proportionately reduced by $5,000. The $5,000 will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association of Canada.
This fine is based on the infraction of rules listed in the 2007 Motocross Competition Rules, Chapter 5, A-4, A-5, A-14.
Although the track for the first MX1 moto was unquestionably in a degrading, horrendous condition, track workers spent more than an hour repairing the course to make it race ready.
CMRC’s first response to the conditions was to reduce the second MX2 moto from 25 minutes plus 2 laps to 12 minutes plus one lap, and for the MX1 second moto 15 minutes plus 1 lap from the usual 30 minutes plus 2 laps.
After team managers voiced their financial concerns of having MX2 bikes run a second moto, a compromise was reached to cancel the MX2 moto and continue with the second MX1 moto. CMRC had full intentions to proceed with both motos and never stated otherwise until the compromise was reached.
Following an additional 45 minutes of track repair, riders were called to stage for the second MX1 moto. No bikes appeared in the staging area. A petition signed by the majority of the participants was then presented to CMRC stating they would not race the second moto. Due to the lack of participation by all riders, CMRC was left no choice but to revoke the race.
Once the cancellation had been made six privateer riders then braved the elements and participated in a non-points paying race, with full national moto payback, and proved the track was more than acceptable for racing.
CMRC’s grounds for cancellation are based on lightning, an unpassable track or unsafe conditions. Not one of these criteria came in to play.
In CMRC’s and the manufacturer’s opinion, this was a disgraceful and selfish display of unsportsmanlike behaviour. Outdoor motocross is a sport that is intended to be held in all conditions within reason. There is no question the race should have been held as planned.
We would like to express our sincere apologies to all spectators of the event and fans of the sport. We trust this situation will never take place in the future.
Yours in racing,
Mark Stallybrass
President - CMRC
