January 31, 2006 – Due to circumstances beyond our control, we still have to wait for one week to finalize the 2006 race schedule. There has already been one adjustment – the Kingston Provincial Weekend is now September 9/10 not 16/17. This allows for us to hold a Four Cross/BMX/Festival at the Toronto BMX Track in partnership with Sir Bike A Lot Racing, a Four Cross race promoter. Please keep an eye on www.ontariocycling.org for updates.

We are also waiting for the final edition of the Quebec race calendar as we now have a National Ranking and Interprovincial Series instead of a Eastern National Series and we have to co-ordinate our provincial schedules.

All tracks will be provided with information to hand out to their members.

Ottawa BMX O-Cup

Chimo Hotel, Ottawa has forwarded some great rates for the Ottawa BMX O-Cup weekend. Indoor pool, steps from the big mall with restaurants, seconds from the highway and 5 minutes from the track. $105 per night for 2 queen size beds . . . great deal and a really nice hotel. Call 1-800-387-9779 before May 19, 2006 to hold your room. Please quote Ontario Cycling Association and Reservation #G00073-60 to get the rate.

Also, Tom Ritz, UCI track builder will be visting Ottawa in May to fine tune their track layout and design so that we can rock at the BMX O-Cup and Ontario Summer Games.

Ontario Summer Games

Shirts are ordered – hotels are booked – excitement is growing. If you are going to be 12-16 years of age in 2006 make sure to mark August 9-10 on your BMX calendar. The top 5 in each age group from each track/region will be invited to race at the first ever BMX race in the Ontario Summer Games! The cost to each participant/family is one night hotel (Chimo Hotel – $95.00, call 1-800-387-9779 and quote Ontario Cycling Association Reservation Number G00073-76) plus $20 event fee. The event fee includes:

Opening Ceremonies (Wednesday Aug 9th 6pm)
Ontario Cycling Association Team T-Shirt
Ontario Cycling Assocation Team hat
Ontario Summer Games race shirt
Race entry fee
Medals
Team Photo (Sue Morrow, photographer)

We need 125 riders for this event – we will show them that BMX racing is ready for the Canada Summer Games! Qualification races will be the BMX O-Cup 1 and 2 in Ottawa in June and the Club Challenge Race, Milton in July. Racers with local track access permits CAN race the Ontario Summer Games and the Club Challenge Race for these events. Rainout date for Ontario Summer Games will be Friday August 11th.

Keep an eye on the website for updated information.

Jamie Brierley Update

As mentioned, Jamie Brierley was in a very serious car accident that was due to black ice on the road in December. He is coming along slowly due to a derious back injury. According to his mom, Jo-Ann, Jamie is “xtremely optimistic about riding by the end of this summer.” Even though the recovery process is going to be longer than he expected, Jamie is still going to be around the tracks this summer helping out.

The OCA wishes Jamie a speedy recovery and we all look forward to seeing him up and back at it as soon as he is healthy.

What’s going on . . . .

We are working with 5 towns/municipalities regarding bmx race track facilities and another 4 regarding FourCross and Skills Development Parks.

Toronto BMX hopes to be breaking ground May 2006!

Online membership available soon! Look for updates! Register online and save an additional $5.00.

Still searching for an indoor . . . recent contact has been made with a group west of Toronto and one north west of Toronto . . . keeping fingers very tightly crossed.

Bob Rowley, AA Pro, Milton was the ONLY Canadian Male to earn UCI points at the UCI race in Columbus, Ohio over the Christmas break. Bob reached the semis against the toughest riders in the World. The only thing that stopped him making the main was a rider crash in front of him . . . way to go Bob!

Congrats to Provincal Coach Brendan Arnold and his wife Elaine who are expecting their first little bmxer in May 2006.


Keeping you on track . . . .

bmx@ontariocycling.org