I work for an information technology and consulting company in Victoria where I’m a Director, project manager and technology consultant to mostly government and some private sector companies.
My 2 sons and I trail rode in the Shawnigan Lake area for years on Honda XRs. My older son heard about this “cool” motocross track in Nanaimo and convinced me to take him and my younger son – they were hooked and the rest is history. We started small (and relatively cheap) with CR80s, 125s and 250s, and have now graduated to CRF250s and 450s. We’ve been motocross racing and members of the NMA for over 3 years.
My son’s are both adrenaline junkies and although I’m a little more cautious (due mostly to having more brittle bones), I like the competitive factor too. More than anything it keeps me in touch with my kids and keeps them (and me) out of trouble. We really enjoy the family and social aspects of the sport and have met lots of great people and friends.
I ride in the “old guys” Plus 40 class and occasionally in Vet Junior. My older son rode in Intermediate before he moved to Calgary last year, and my younger son also rides in Intermediate.
As I said, my son’s and I have been involved with Island motocross and the NMA for over 3 years and I figured it was about time that I gave something back. Although at times it’s a little tough juggling work, family, motocross and the NMA duties, it feels really good to get involved and help promote motocross in the area and on the Island.
As President, my primary duty is to oversee the operation of the club, events and race events. Because of my work background I’ve also taken on the job of Web Manager and implemented a new website and association management system for the club.
I am self employed, doing the accounting, project costing and estimating for our commercial concrete forming company in Nanaimo.
We bought one of our boys a dirt bike, we had been taking him trail riding when a good friend of our’s , who happened to be on the exec. for Nanaimo Motocross got us involved in the club volunteering/sponsoring and the rest is history.
I think the family atmosphere and having my 4 boys riding in such a safe place had me hooked immediately!
Our family has gone from all 4 boys riding in the beginning, down to only 1 left riding & racing, he rides in the 125 Junior and GP classes
Think I got this one backward, we actually volunteered and sponsored the club before we even became members. Have enjoyed being involved right from the beginning and wanted to try and help make a difference in a facility that could not survive without the countless hours of the executive and volunteers.
As Treasurer, my primary role is to maintain the financials records for the club, draft budget forecasts and track/analyze all spending and ensure that we stay within these figures.
Russ and I own a automotive repair shop in Victoria and I do the books for the business.
Russ has been a motorcyle fanatic for as long as I have known him. He used to race competitively in Zimbabwe, where we grew up. Once our son Ross started to show an interest in riding, Russ was quick to introduce him to the island racing scene and this is what we have been doing since.
I love that we have been able to participate in this sport as a family. We have also made some really good friends over the years. Race weekends are something we all look forward too.
Russ rides in the plus 40 class on a KTM 250 and Ross is now a pro!! He will be riding a Yamaha 450 this year. I wish I could race too - maybe one day!
We volunteer because our clubs need us. We want to mx stay around for good.
I will be the club secretary this year. Besides taking the minutes at the club meetings, I will be learning as I go. I am new to the position and am not entirely sure of all the things I will be doing on race day. I am glad that I am a part of a very supportive executive!
I am a partner at Blackstone Mechanical Ltd. a plumbing and heating company, my certification is a pipefitter/steamfitter/gas fitter, we as a company do all levels of plumbing and heating ranging from residential to commercial/industrial, geothermal, heat pumps and gas installations.
My son was very interested in dirt bikes and he has friends that are involved in motocross. We attended a nationals race 3 years ago to check things out and we were hooked. Now that we have started racing our 14 year old daughter also wants to get into racing (she won't let us miss one race and if we absolutely can't make it to a race she will find someone else to go with)
It is all about spending time with my family doing something we all love. (and possibly living vicariously through my son) also we have made some fantastic friends on and off the track.
My son rides 65cc and is starting to get into 85cc and as for me I ride for fun on weekends
Because I want to help make a difference at the track and would love to see Nanaimo track become a great place where even Grandma and Grandpa will bring their grandkids for a fun day.
My role, with the help of other volunteer members, is to try to either repair or replace the watering system at the track. My responsibilities are to keep the track moist so it keeps the dust down and the visibility clear.
My real job is being a mom i have also been known to be a pharmacy techinican, a developer, a teacher just to mention a few.
We got into motocross a few years ago. Our youngest boy was really into motor bikes we started going to the sand drags in Lake Cowichan. Then a few people started going to the Nanaimo races it took us a couple of years of trying to convince Dad to let him ride, we are all hooked after the first race.
What I like most about motocross is the great families and friendships we have made along the way. Oh and the adrenaline rush you get from watching all the kids race isn't so bad either.
My son is in the older 85cc and may try out for Junior class this year.
I started to volunteer this year so i'm just learning the ropes, I started cause i love this sport and wanted to help out on race day. There is sooo much to do and i saw the need for some help.
My volunteer role has change a little this year, I'm now staffing the tower looking after memberships and just helping where i can.
I own a used car dealership with my wife in Duncan called Sterling Motors Ltd. I am on the B shift: I "B" there to open and "B" there to close 6 days a week. I have been in the car business for almost 20 years.
I have always been into motorcycles. As a kid I used to race flat track. Now I ride a Harley. Our son Wyatt started on a Honda 50 and rode in our yard. When he was in 1st grade, he met another older boy at school who raced in the Island series. We went to watch him race in Nanaimo. The minute our son saw the track, he turned to me and said "Dad, this is for me. I can do this. I really really want to race."
It has been 3 years now and Motocross is very much part of our lives. We live it and love it and our son is more passionate about it than ever.
Well, I thought about riding in the plus 40, but after 1 practice with those guys, I realized it's more physically demanding than I thought. They are really fast!
Our son races in the 65 7-11 class and will ride the 85 7-11 class this year.
Because our family loves the sport so much, we spend a lot of time at the tracks. I am very proud of Wastelands and want to ensure that it is run and promoted as the best track in Western Canada. Motocross has also given our son a great sense of accomplishment and confidence. This is one way to we can give back to a sport that has given us so much.
I am in charge of promotions. This includes advertising, trophies, sponsorship packages etc.