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Twenty seven years of motocross! As tracks go, this traditional site is an
old one. The land was originally part of the acreage farmed by the Lee family.
An early interest in motorcycles evolved into an interest in off-road riding.
This led to the track becoming a local centre of activity for many casual riders
and aspiring competitors.
A club was formed called the Maitland Dirt Riders which organized its first event in August 1974. This was for Juniors and Schoolboys only (today beginners, juniors, 80 beginners & 80 Experts). Over 300 riders showed up and was so successful that another event was held in October. The sight of riders sliding down frozen clay slopes dictated earlier race dates in following years.
The Maitland Dirt Riders hosted a two day event every year with Juniors and schoolboys one day and seniors and experts the next. From 1976-1979 Molson Breweries sponsored a provincial championship series for experts and Walton was the favorite site of both fans and racers. Racers competing in the Molson series came from Sweden, Japan, England, Czechoslovakia, Finland, and of course across Canada and the USA. Qualifying heats for expert classes , 3,000-4,000 spectators were not unusual.
In 1981 the Ontario round of the Canadian National Series at Walton saw Ross Pederson begin his dominance which extended until his retirement after his sweep at the 1993 TransCan. The track sat dormant until a new Lee generation were getting involved in the sport, so a two day event was organized in 1991.
While reflecting afterward (over an appropriate quantity of beer) about the success of the event and bemoaning the lack of a really major, prestigious event (such as Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals) a concept was born. We would hold an annual event drawing on all the best things in the sport, an annual coming together for bragging rights, a celebration of motocross!
We developed a five year plan, building from a great natural track ridden on once a year, strong community support, accessability and support facilities. The emphasis was to be real outdoor style motocross, highly competitive with lots of extracurricular attractions and opportunity to socialize. The format was to be a four day schedule with open practice and four long motos per class.
1992 - It's expensive, risky and a lot of work! Would sponsors participate? Would riders come? Could we get everything done? What did we forget? Craig Pratly and Ryan Hunt head up a contingent from England to show how to ride outdoor motocross. Is it over already? EVERYBODY LOVED IT!! Are we broke? Do we ever want to be this tired again?
1993 - Ross Pederson makes a farewell tour and spanks everyone one more time while he does it.
1994 - (the year of the beer bug) TSN gives the event a national profile with two half hour shows. A torrential downpour on Saturday provides a brief interlude for 'belly racing' on the finish line hill. The bridge goes up.
1995 - (the year of the fly)Carl Vaillancourt calls it quits after clinching the National pro title in titanic duel with Marty Burr while Marty sweeps all four motos.
1996 - 800 riders, full national coverage of the pro racing on TSN which includes Nicolas Wey's pro debut, Jeff Mataisevich, Jean Sebastian Roy having his worst race of the year and Marco Dube proving he's for real.
1997 - where will you be when history is made?
The Walton TransCan is the result of the efforts of many individuals and their efforts over the years, too many to list, but all can take great personal pride in their contribution. When the fields of Huron County once again reverberate to the pulse quickening sounds of motocross, the pageantry and the spectacle of the ultimate motorized competition each one can take pride in being part of the tradition.
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