2006 CANADIAN MX TITLE TO PELCHAT AND ITP

Richard Pelchat claimed his 5th consecutive Canadian National Motocross Championship in September, using ITP Holeshot tires on his Team Toyota/Yamaha Racing YZF450.

Richard took a few minutes to relate his experiences during the last half of the 2006 Canadian MX season, as well as a couple of appearances in the United States. Check it out:

Canada Round 3: The race was held at the Rat Track in Ontario, the track was great this year. I won both motos without drama. It was a good race for me.

Unadilla ATVA GNC MX: I was on fire at this race; my ATV was perfectly set up and I was now it top shape. I finished 5th in the qualifier. In the first moto, I made some good moves on the start and was in 7th place and worked my way around Jason Dunkelberger for 6th, only to derailed the chain and bend the rear sprocket. In the second moto, I thankfully was not involved in the first turn pile-up (that injured Jeremiah Jones). As I was pressuring Dunk again for 6th, my ignition quit due to some inner motor damage...too bad.

Southwick NEATV: I won 3 out of 4 motos and took both overalls in front of Josh Creamer. Fun race.

Canada Round 4: I call it TERRIBLE. This was one of the biggest races of the season with good promo around it. The race was a three-moto format. I won the first moto. Second moto went: Holeshot, 7 second lead...DNF. Same gremlin that hit my motor at Unadilla hit again. Moto 3: MUD and a bad gate pick thanks to the DNF. I worked my way to 5th only to be hit by a lapper and to see the race red flagged...10th place...BAD. In one weekend my 22 point lead transformed into a 12 point deficit with only four motos left. The game plan was now simple: I had to win the remaining four heats.

Canada Round 5: The race was held in Auburn, Ontario, near the hometown of new points leader James Bank. I did what I had to do. I won both motos by a good margin. Now only 6 points back...

This past weekend was the final round, in Notre-Dame, Quebec, hometown of my strong opponent Jasmin Plante. The battle was hard in the first moto and I won over Jasmin by only a few seconds. Second moto proved to be a real drama! I was now only one point back. Jasmin and I battled it out for the first few laps, but Jasmin made a mistake and we collided and stalled. I got running the first, and now I was in "bring it home mode." But James Bank had other plans: as I was smoothly going around the track he was on FIRE trying to catch me back. I did not understand my crew's sign! With 2 laps to go, he was only a few bike lengths back. I upped my pace and quickly increased the gap a bit. I took the checkered flag...and won the championship by a few bike lengths and a mere 2 points. Can you say STRESS RELIEF? The crowd loved it.