steve fracy

In a press release just issued today, the CMA has decided NOT to send a men's team to Spain for this year's TDN. This decision was made after it was made public that Wilson Craig had not been picked for the team for the second year in a row! This was such a shocking thing! Not only is he one of the top two rider's in Canada, he is also one of the best in North America. How could someone who has won a US National NOT be picked! The amazing thing that has happened, is the support from his fellow rider's. After the selection, Ryon Bell made it clear that as a result of the selection, he would not compete this year! As well, Will Duggan, the current Canadian Champ, also through his support into the ring and has refused to compete this year as well! The CMA has sighted the "poor sportsmanship" of these rider's the major reason why we are unable to field a team. They have neglected to explain to anyone yet how they came to their decision. If you are interested in reading more about this, go to www.trialscanada.com Cheers, Steve

Nice pic Jay!! Hey, the Hodie I have in my shed is one of those Challenger framed ones you wrote about in one of your other posts!! Hope to rebuild her one day soon! I bought her over 12yrs ago and she ran great then! I also have a local source for most parts! Hey, come on up and check it out dude!! Cheers, Steve

Just an update to everyone who has viewed this topic! I would encourage EVERYONE to go to www.trialscanada.com to read what has transpired as the result of our TDN team being selected and Wilson Craig not being selected for the second year in a row!!! Our top 3 rider's in this country have now made it clear that they will NOT attend this year's TDN as apart of our team! If this sounds alarming, your right! An incredible amount of support is being shown by the rider's towards Wilson and it should be noticed and commended! There seems to be no rhyme or reason by our sanctioning body to select our team, when the clear top 4 rider's submit a request to represent Canada and they are not all picked!It's important to not only hear what our top rider's have to say, but to support them and know that we need them to make things right!! I doubt that this scenario would be playing out anywhere else in world right now! It's important to read the post's on this other site, on the message board, and understand why our top rider's won't be representing us this year! I sincerely hope that we do not send any team at all this year!! Cheers, Steve

I actually had a go on one of these bikes a couple of years ago at the US WTC in Goldendale Wa. Pretty cool concept for sure! Very strange to ride for many reason's. No clutch and no noise!! Just the wining of the gears or charging system!. Hopefully they have done some work to it since then. I don't think the one I rode would be practical to actually ride a section with! cheers, Steve

Not to advertise another site on this great one, but a group of us are trying to form a National Trials Council (similar to the Natc) that would work with the CMA. You can find all the discussion about this topic on the message board of www.trialscanada.com Your participation and opinion is very important! Please get involved! Cheers, Steve Fracy

Well Ishy, I have to aggree with you about some things. After riding your little Scorpa, I think that the 4s are going to be great! I also agree that the characteristics of the 4s tend to suit our terrain here in the NW. But, I also agree with this idea of the 4s being more enviromentally friendly! I've always thought it was crap! I don't think it's fair to force people into deciding what they ride. I can't see that being good for the sport! I do think it's good though to have a choice! I say bring on the 4s. I have a feeling they are going to be brilliant! My little ride on your bike has totally changed my excitement level. Can't wait to try a ride on the new Sherco! I love my 2s and have always been a 2s fan. But, choice and new technology has always been good for everyone! Cheers, Steve

Cool, even with all the gadgets that thing has, it still comes in weighing less than the Mont/HOn.!

The new Sherco 4St sounds brilliant! After riding Ishy's little Scorpa I am totally intrigued by the whole 4st thing! Does anyone know if GG has a 4st in the works? Cheers, Steve

Hey Guys: After riding Ishy's little Scorpa 4 banger a week ago, I got to thinking about how impressed I was with it! What a fun little bike. It also made me think that for once it would be cool to have a displacement class (125) or, some sort of a IROC serie's format at the Nationals or in some of the regional serie's. A class where everyone is riding the same displacement of bike. Obviously at this point, Scorpa would have the 4s 125 market cornered, but if some of the other manufacturers got into making affordable entry level 4s bikes that would be competitive also, would sure make for some good fun, and open up a whole new market for people who want to ride and compete without going the full-on modern bike! Another idea along the lines of the IROC race series, would be to get a bunch of the old star's from the past together and compete against each other on identically prepared machines!! Just some ideas on how to have even more fun on the bike! Cheers, Steve

I was one of those who asked Ishy to try the little Scorpa this past weekend! I will tell you that I consider myself a 2stroke man to the end!But at the same time I am curious and have always wanted to have a good go on a 4st. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed riding the little Scorpa. Ishy had the clutch modified so it's extemely light and worked quite well! I would be very interested in trying one with one of the big bore kits in it! It did make me think that the 4st. would probably suit a large number of rider's out there! The exception would be Pro rider's. I still believe that the quick accelleration of the 2str. is an advantage for that style of riding. The cost of the Montesa and other new 4st. is still a concern to me. I think Scorpa has done a great job and put together a gem of alittle bike that can prove quite competitive for a lot of people for a very reasonable price!! We need more of these type of machines to get more people riding! Steve

Cody: Not sure if you read this site or not but hopefully! I would also like to add my encouragement! Although I haven't seen you ride in years now, like many others I keep track of your results and I get reports from friends who have been watching you!! I think you have been blessed with a ton of natural ability and determination, alot like an old guy who I used to ride against. You know him as Dad!! A chip off the block I'd say! Good luck to you in Europe! Stay focused, take it all in, and most of all have fun with it!! Cheers, Steve Fracy

He's dumb like a fox Ishy. Who would dare turn away an actual volunteer to observe?? Once he's in, there's no telling what could happen!!

Just curious if there is any new news about Fantic's comeback and how the website is coming along??

Let's face it Ishy, we all like Dougie a lot and would love to see him pull some of that old magic out of the hat, but I don't think it's going to happen! The competition is fierce this year. Fuji is finding the consistency he has lacked for many years. Raga is about to find his stride about now and it seems as though this next stretch could well be to his favour. If he can manage to win the next two venues, it should make the whole thing very interesting!! I still can't wait to see how it pans out. If nothing else, Raga has time on his side compared to his other two rivals!! Cheers, Steve

Jay: That's my son Matthew alright! The young protoge' for sure! That was his first trial too. Some pretty kind people have been willing to sponsor him already too! Ron Commo at Beta USA with the coolest little Beta 50. Ryan Young from RYP Products helped out with getting some boots and Clice clothing!! You might also notice too that he has confiscated Dad's new Hebo Raga Replica helmet! Wish we could make it to your point event, but sadly I will be just too busy to take much more time off this summer. That and the lake is calling, boat, sun, and frosty beverages will be the order of the day! We'll catch up with you some time Jay! Say hi to Stanley for me OK! Cheers, Steve

Ishy, I'm assuming that this is the picture I sent you that has not worked here for some reason! You're just as good with the computer as me! I can't even attempt such a feat as posting a pic!

Impressions from Sat. results....... Geoff Aarron, can enough ever be said about him?? Year after year he continues to find the motivation to drive himself to be better! Wow! How about young Cody Webb?? Lookout all you Pro's, all I can say. Kip must be one proud Dad! Kerry beats Christy!! Can she continue, or will Christy seek revenge today?? Cheers, Steve

I guess it is true that the more things change, the more they stay the same! Did you know Ringo that a certain "Crazy Canuck" started the fashion trend in trials in the mid 80's by wearing skull and crossbone surf shorts over top of his riding pants?? Cheers, Steve

Hey All you Fantic Fans: I know that some of you were asking for some pics of my 240 after finally getting it running. Well, check out the front page of TC and look for the story of the Outlaw Trial. There are a couple of really good pics on there! Will try and send a couple also to my mate r2w so he can post them on his site too! By the way, the old girl was absolutely awesome in it's first trial. It almost felt like cheating!! Viva Fantic!! Cheers, Steve

Ishy, got to thinking today about the topic of this discussion, and I thought to myself, what the h**l are you thinking about retiring from eh?? You have to actually have a job to be able to retire you know!! Keep up all the hard work! Cheers, Steve

Great pics Ishy. Thanks for coming all the way up here for the trial, especially after being in SSDT the week before! My lad ( sitting in front of me, and beside Ishy's lad, truly enjoyed his very first trial. We had similar experiences too. Matt had a 3rd and a 4th trading spots with that Isherwood. After you left on Sun Ishy, I put it to all the youngun's in the Expert class, winning with 19pts. Old boy's still have it eh? Cheers, Steve

There was one other well known American rider in the Pre-65 event this year who hails from Dickson, TN. None other than Bob Ginder of B&J Racing. I spotted a few picks of him on the site. He also has a story of his experience on his website! Way to go Bob! Cheers, steve

What size is it and how much??

How much does he want then Nige?? I might be interested! Cheers, Steve

Hi All: I'm so happy to say that with the great help of Pete Culliford, from r2w's site, the mighty Fantic is now up and running!! Pete emailed me today with the correct order of the wires going into the HT coil. I tryed it right away and wow, spark! I quickly put the rest of the bike back together, put petrol in and.......... first kick, she flashed up!! What a sweet sound to hear the old pop of the 240 after so many years! First time I've ever heard mine run as well! Thanks to all those who sent me info and ideas, especially r2w and Pete!! I am very grateful and excited to ride the beauty!! Cheers, Steve