By Steve Fracy

Welcome to my very first attempt at writing a monthly column for www.offroadmotorcycles.ca  I am quite flattered that Dan even asked me to contribute, and hope that all you off-roaders will enjoy a small peek into the world of trials! Like any other motorsport, the New Year always brings the hope and enthusiasm of a fresh start of a new season in trials. Here on the West coast we are very spoiled in that we really don’t have much of an off season. Our schedule basically runs like this: January - April has usually at least one club event each month until the spring. Then our border-hopping Regional series, run by the Pacific Northwest Trials Association (which includes events in WA, OR, BC mainland, and Vancouver Island) starts up. The summer months will be dedicated to Nationals in Canada and the US. Then from September to late November it’s back to finish up the club series. We still get to ride in December, and in fact this year we really only missed one weekend! I know, I know, all of you out there reading this who are still up to your armpits in snow are ready to smack me already! But hey, there is a reason that the best trials riders in Canada have typically come from the coast of BC; it’s simply our climate and the terrain we are so lucky to be able to ride on!

Here’s a little history lesson for all you folks who are new here. My background is as follows. Finished school and immediately wanted to follow my dream of being a Pro trials rider! From 1983- 1988 I rode every single Canadian and US National trial on the schedule, living the dream and travelling all over North America. During that time I was fortunate enough to win multi Canadian titles, be ranked in the top 10 US Pro class, and eventually land my first Pro contract in the US with the then Fantic importer. I moved to Tennessee in 1987 and stayed there for two years. It was everything I had dreamed of and more! In the meantime I was gathering knowledge along the way that I knew someday I would be able to pass along. I ‘sort of’ retired riding fulltime in 1989 and moved back to BC, got a real job and took some time away from riding. When I came back in the early ‘90s it was so refreshing and I won another Canadian title, plus I got to achieve two of my very last goals as a rider. In 1992 I rode the Scottish Six Day Trial, which is the longest and most demanding event for a trials rider in the world. Then in that same year I was part of the very first Canadian Trial Des Nations team when we competed at the TDN in Watkins Glen, NY.

Fast-forward a lot of years. My 14-year-old son Matt is now paving his own path on the way to being the ultimate Pro! I said earlier how each new year brings the excitement of a new bike, a new season etc. Every year trials bikes get lighter (145-150 lbs), more powerful, and grip better. This year is no different! Matt just recently picked up his brand new 2011 Beta Evo 250 from his sponsor, Mountain Motorcycle in Coquitlam BC. They are the Beta importer for Canada. Some of you may recognize that Beta also makes some pretty cool enduro bikes that work awesome! In fact last year former World Trials Champ Dougie Lampkin won Hells’ Gate Extreme Enduro on a Beta enduro bike! Matt hopes to have a go at enduro as well within the next couple of years. It’s no secret to anyone who rides trials to see so many former trials riders doing well at extreme enduro right now! David Knight, Taddy, Dougie Lampkin, Graham Jarvis (won Hells Gate this year), Geoff Aaron, and Cody Webb to name a few! Matt is sponsored by Mountain Motorcycle :Team Beta, Outlaw Trialsport : Opti-Lubricants/Rawsport Trials gear Coast, Internet/TrialsCanada.com : www.mattfracy.com American Alloy Fabrication Inc : funding and logistics, Tryals Shop NY : Fly trials gloves, Team Fracy : Mom and Dad!

I am very excited for 2011 for many reasons! It is almost as cool for me now as it was being a rider. Matt is only 14, and this year after the Nationals will be moving up to Expert class! After moving up last season to the Advanced class we really did not expect Matt to make such an impact right from the get go, but that’s what happened! He won his very first event in his new class then continued to steadily improve throughout the season. A huge growth spurt of over 6 inches last year and the move to new machinery for Matt last season definitely proved to be a great move.

The Beta trials bike has used a unique design since the year 1990. A perimeter aluminum frame provides unparalleled stability, and Beta uses the frame to act as the fuel tank as well. Made in Italy, these well made machines are known for build quality and reliability. Since getting his new ride Matt’s been busy breaking in the bike, training and practising. Last week Matt did a film shoot for a feature on him that will be aired next Monday here in the Victoria area on CHEK 6 news at 5pm, and also played on their new half hour sports show called Game On, which airs at 7:30 pm Pacific time! Then this past Sunday Matt competed in his very first trial of the season down at the Victoria Motorcycle Clubs Property. His class was a bit lean on riders for the start this year, but the result was devastating none the less. A win by a huge margin!

The big prize for this year is the WEC Canadian Trials Championships . Look for a press release soon on a name change soon, but I will give you the inside scoop and let you know that WEC Trials will now be called, WTC - World Trials Canada!! The first two events are in May in Summerland BC, and then we are planning to make the long trip out to beautiful Quebec to Morin Heights for the final two rounds in July. It should be awesome!! All along the way we hope to keep everyone posted on our trip and our progress so stay tuned!