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Well there is a lot of smoke in the air this morning, not sure which forest fire it’s from. - I am meeting Ian Porteous at 8am for an early ride at Yankee Flats. ( before it gets too hot)

No big surprises in the F1 qualifying from Hungary - the Red Bull cars are dominating this season just as the Brawn team did last year. - Vettel and Webber are on the front row, followed by the Ferrari’s of Alonso and Massa - then comes Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren, but his team mate and current World Champion failed to make it through to Q3.

In World Superbike from Silverstone, there are six Brits in the top ten after qualifying, with Cal Crutchlow (Yam) heading the field, - Jon Rea (Hon) and Troy Corser (BMW) are 2nd & 3rd.

I see the 2011 Scorpa has been tested by one of the French Magazines - It is now powered by a Sherco engine, and actually looks good with the new Orange/black color scheme.

I have also posted a pic of the 2011 Sherco on “New Pics” - this looks pretty stunning with the new graphics. - We won’t see details of the new Beta Evo until September where the factory always introduce the new models at the TDN.

Today I will be meeting Pete at the Summerland Trials area to work on “Avalanche Alley” - Going really early to miss the heat of the day - will post more news later.

Well we were hiking into avalanche alley at 8.30 today, and it was already getting hot - reason for hiking was to carry crow bars to move boulders.  - Anyway everything went well, but this kind of effort takes it out of you when you are over 70 - so we quit around 10.30 and headed back down the gully.

You can see some more pics of what we are trying to achieve on the Scouting the Outlaw Album - the sections you see are all Expert only. but we have lots of great stuff on a separate loop for the Juniors and Intermediate riders.

The amazing thing today was when my cell phone went twice with people wanting to order parts etc, and I was deep in the ravine with rock walls on each side - I guess sometimes you get lucky.

Of course our greatest concern when planning these sections, is the safety and enjoyment of the riders, so believe me we are leaving nothing to chance, when picking the routes. ( I guess that’s why you all come back, year after year) - will the new additional sections be difficult for the experts ? - you bet, but I think they are up for a challenge after seeing the stuff we have to offer at the WEC National last year. ( In general the overall degree of difficulty will be slightly less than a National as is traditional for the Outlaw events.)

Postscript: - Pete actually got the bruise on his arse last week when he forgot where the clutch lever was (again)
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The sun is already up out of a clear blue sky, with the promise of another scorching day in the Valley. I see the long row boats are out on the Lake getting some early morning practice before it gets too hot.

Of course this being the August 1st long weekend, the highways into the Okanagan, will be chock-a-block today - sadly this will likely also bring a few accidents both on the roads and the water.

The forests are also like tinder, and camp fires are banned, but you can bet some problems will occur over the next few days. - Hopefully everybody will have a safe holiday.
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I see that Jeff Smith will be the guest of honor at a Vintage Rally in Quebec on August 15th - Jeff was a two time World Moto-Cross Champion, when he rode for the BSA factory - he later went to work for Can Am when they were promoting their off road bikes. - He was also a pretty good Trials rider and won a lot of “Trade” supported events in the early 60’s. - He finished 2nd at the 1976 Moose Mountain Cross Country in Alberta, on a Can Am 175. ( I know because I followed him for a short time - a very short time before he left me in his dust)

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In the UK this weekend, there is another round of the British Championship Trials series - expect to see another win for James Dabill, who has dominated this year.

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The trip to Sherwood Park Alberta went without incident - I stayed over with Taff, and we discussed the various aspects of the sport and of the Motorcycle Industry, over a late Barbecue on Monday evening.

The weather on Tuesday turned out hot in Northern Alberta, and the Funeral home was packed with people wanting to pay their respects to Zoli Berenyi Senior. - It was easy to spot some of the familiar faces from years gone by, and as someone said,  ” You can tell  the old Dirt Bikers, by the way they hobble around on bad knees”.

Rudy Zaskco, Zoli’s friend and brother-in-law, gave a touching Eulogy, telling of how he first met Zoli at the age of 13 in War Torn Hungary - He recounted how their toys were discarded hand grenades and old shell casings, growing up on the banks of the River Danube, and how later the five families fled the Soviet Invasion to make a new life in Canada.

Other old racers stood on the Pulpit, to tell light-hearted tales of the man who was described as the ultimate ambassador  for Canadian Moto Cross. - It was a fitting farewell to a great motorcycle legend.

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Back home in the OK Valley ( I got back around mid-night last night) - the very hot weather continues - and I mixed it up with lots of holiday traffic on route from Calgary, where I made a stop to drop off Opti Oil at Blackfoot motorcycle.

This weekend will be very busy as we head into August - The big Trials news will be the WEC Nationals in Quebec, we only know of Will Duggan and Devon Dargis, who are making the long trip. - In Alberta we see that the Second Gear Club will host their Extreme Trial.

In a recap of stories from last Sunday, Valentino Rossi showed why he is a many time World Champion, by finishing 3rd at Laguna Seca - although riding with a recently broken leg and in visible pain, Rossi put on a remarkable performance. - And how about the BS surrounding the Indy Car race in Edmonton, when Heleo Castronevis  ( not sure on the spelling) was robbed of the victory by Official politics - no wonder he was mad.

We’ve heard from our Importer that the last shipments of  2010 Sherco and Beta machines are now in the warehouse - anyone in the market for a good deal - give me a call.

And how about we start a rumor - maybe Fuel Injection on the 2011 Beta Evo? - ( The Italian factory have had this in the works for a number of years)

We will out of town for the next couple of days.

My morning started with Formula 1 - the early show from Hockenheim, Germany, saw Team Ferrari jump back into the title fight, with a one - two finish. - although Felipe Massa didn’t look too happy giving up the win to Alonso on Team orders. However it is after all “Big Business” - Sebastian Vettel ( Red Bull ) was 3rd, and the McLaren’s of Hamilton and Button 4th & 5th.

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In Italy, Tony Bou (Hon) clinched another World Championship - he lost just 12 points to beat out Adam Raga (GG) on 18, and Fujinami (Hon) on 26. - other positions were - 4th Fajardo (Beta) 43, 5th Dabill (GG) 43, 6th  Lampkin (Beta) 44, 7th  Cabestany (Sherco) 49, 8th Grattarola (Sherco) 53, 9th Gubian (GG)  53 - Wiggy (Beta) finished 11th with 85 and Brown (Sherco) 13th with 96.

The Junior Class saw Jack Challoner (Beta) take another win ahead of Ferrer (Sherco)  and Moret (Hon)

Pol Tarres (GG) wrapped up a brilliant  season to win the Youth class and with it the 2010 Championship - Jack Sheppard (Beta) was the runner up with Traviesa ( GG) 3rd.

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The Moto GP race goes later today from Laguna Seca, where the action should be fast and furious.

There is an article on Trials Central today, about the rather surprising snub given to the media by the Ossa people at the Italian World Round. - As most fans know, the new bike was first released at the Milan show last year, and since that time, there have been a couple of videos, of Marc Colomer riding the Prototype. - With all the fanfare of a supposed production machine in September, it seems very strange that the bike in Italy, looks to be the same as the original unit except for the forks, and Ossa would not display the bike to get free press pics. - Check out the story and draw your own conclusions.
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The Moto GP teams are in Laguna Seca this weekend, and Casey Stoner looks to be quick on the Ducati, - but rumor has him going to Honda next season, and maybe Rossi will head up the Ducati Team - the Italian factory would like nothing better than to have the many time Italian World Champ, on their bike.

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Over in Germany, Vettel is on pole for the F1 race, he just pipped Alonso in the Ferrari, - they are followed by Massa, Webber, Button ,and Hamilton - a big surprise is to see the Williams cars in 6th & 8th spot- The race goes tomorrow.
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With the very hot temperatures in the Valley, I doubt many locals will be out Trials riding tomorrow - I know I won’t. - Monday morning I will be heading back to Alberta to attend Zoli’s funeral.

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Some sad news to report today, as we just heard that Zoli Berenyi Senior died on July 20th - he was 78 years old.

I first met Zoli back in the early 70’s, when he was a regular at Blackfoot Park in Calgary racing his favorite CZ - and he usually won. - Later I also became friends with his son Zoli Junior, who just like his Dad, became one of the top MX rider’s in Canada.

Zoli was a partner in Scona Cycle, the Honda dealer in Edmonton, until his retirement, but that didn’t stop him racing with success in the Old Timer’s class, often traveling to the USA to compete against many of the other “Greats”

It was while I was working for Yamaha Canada, that I approached Zoli Snr, about the possibility  of getting Junior on a Yamaha - He was, after all, working at his Dad’s Honda shop and had been racing the red bikes for quite some time.

I recall that Senior said ” Go ahead, talk to him, - Why not? - Honda isn’t doing anything for the kid”  - Of course History will show that Zoli Junior won many Alberta Championships for Yamaha, plus he had some epic battles in National competition.

Zoli Senior was more than a great MX racer, he was a man with a sense of humor, and always said what he thought - He  was a legend in Motorcycle sport, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on July 27th at 51 Broadway Blvd, in Sherwood Park Alberta.  - 10am is the time.

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Regular viewers will have noticed that I have posted an article about Bud Ekins on my “New Pics” album. - Bud of course was one of the best Motorcycle racers ever to come out of the USA, and who inspired many other guys like Steve McQueen.

McQueen was always one of my favorite movie stars, and his role in “The Great Escape” thrilled many enthusiasts with the famous jump over the barb-wire fence ( This stunt was done by Ekins) - Bud headed up a Team for the ISDT -(It was called the International Six Days Trial back then) this included McQueen, who after crashing his Triumph Trophy used a local wood-cutter’s axe to hack off the flattened exhaust pipes - all in real Hollywood tradition. - Not that Steve was any slouch when it came to Off road racing - he was featured in the film “On Any Sunday” and was a friend of Malcolm Smith and Mert Lawill.

So much for the trivia - now on to the latest news. - I will be out the door fairly early today, heading for Summerland to meet up with Pete. - We will flag part of the new loop for the Outlaw - the weather is supposed to be a bit cooler today so we will make the most of an early start. ( It’s a two hour drive for me to the Trial site)

The final two rounds of the WEC National Trials series, will go in just over one week in Quebec - the poster has been up on Trials Canada for a while - should be a good event.

The season is only half over, but already many manufacturers have introduced their new models for 2011. - For most, it is a case of new stickers and small refinements, as the World economy dictates restraint in spending. - The Japanese have always been at the forefront of  the “Get the jump on the opposition” campaign, but this has often lead to huge stocks of non-current bikes having to be dumped at discount prices.

In the small Trials World, we rarely see this problem, as the European factories control production fairly well, so buying a last years bike at a big saving is restricted to a lucky few.

I see that Beta are not the only Italian factory to have an “Evo” in their line up for 2011, as Ducati have just released details of their new Super Sport model, which has the same name.

With the World Trials Championship happening in Italy this weekend, Toni Bou could wrap up yet another title - the Spanish super-star continues to dominate the sport, just as Dougie Lampkin did in his prime.

In local news, I had a long chat with Stan Bakgaard yesterday, we talked about the new Sherco which he is riding and what he has been up to for the past few months - He had a good ride at the Super-Stars in Vancouver, and is planning on coming to the Outlaw on the September long weekend.

The Moto GP boys are at Laguna Seca this weekend - it will be interesting to see if Dani Pedrosa can pull off another win, he blew everybody away last year, leading from start to finish. - ( But who can forget that epic battle from a few years ago when Rossi passed Stoner in the gravel)

Tomorrow we are planning on going to Summerland to do more work on the Outlaw loop - we need to get out early because of the heat.

more news as it happens ————->>>>