A clear blue sky hung over the city of Calgary, Alberta, while the crowd at the third round of the Canadian Outdoor Nationals baked in the heat of the day beneath it.

Hosted by the famous Wild Rose Motocross Park and attended by a few thousand fans, round three was set to be a thriller. What a thriller it was. Constant rain in the days leading up to the event gave way to an unusually warm day that dried the track out and created problems for the pros. The soil started the day very soggy, which led to severe breaking bumps during practice and qualifying. This rough track turned extremely hard pack by the time racing was underway. This led to the track being very demanding and near impossible to pass on, being “one lined” and super rutty. Similar to Pukekohe.

Rhys Carter started the day well by qualifying inside the top ten. This would ultimately give him a good gate pick for the main. While only suffering minor arm pump, Rhys looked ready for a solid moto and hopefully a top ten placing. After getting a good start Rhys settled into eighth place before crashing while attempting a pass into seventh. Regaining control just outside the top ten, Rhys pushed his way up to fellow Kawasaki Rider Devon Pillkington #239 where he battled back and fourth. However luck would not stay on the Kiwis’ side and he suffered bike troubles late in the moto, Rhys was not to finish the moto and had to settle for a DNF. Unable to contest the second moto, he had only to watch as he dropped out of contention form a top ten finish in the series.

Reece Carter in action Photo: Ryan Burrows

This left just Mason Phillips to fly the flag for the Kiwis’ in the MX1 class. Phillips had an average qualifier and found himself with the 11th gate pick after not getting in any really solid laps. Moto one saw him up around seventh for the opening part of the race. Unfortunately a small mistake cost him two positions and he found himself slipping back from the leaders. With some difficulty, he made his way into 8^th again before the race leader, Yamahas’ Colton Facciotti crashed heavily into the face of a step down/double and the race was red flagged. Because the race had run just one lap over the halfway point, the results at that stage in the moto would be considered final. This gave Mason a 7th for race one.

Mason Phillips Photo: Ryan Burrows

By the second race the track was ultimate rough and considerably dusty. Mason got an average start and found himself battling outside of the top ten .This round is one of just two events for the year that use a concrete starting pad. After losing a position in one particular section of the track, Mason decided to try that new line the next lap. He appeared to get stronger and stronger and passed his way back into the top ten. While everyone else slowed due to fatigue, Mason charged harder and harder to eventually claim 5^th place. These two top ten finishes were enough to secure 6th for the weekend. Mason now heads to round four which will be held at Shadow Valley Raceway in Manitoba.

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