Apparently the Northern Ontario Motocross Series really can prepare riders in these parts quite well for the next phase of their development on the tracks.
After dominating the NOMS circuit in 2018, Garson native Everett McDonald has slid seamlessly over to challenging the "south of Barrie" crew this summer, ranking right up amongst the leaders with his sights now set on a berth in the Canadian Grand National Amateur Motocross Championship set for mid-August in Walton (Ontario).
McDonald wasted little time beginning to make a name for himself outside of the north, placing first and third in a pair of season opening races in May. Brady Solomon (Woodville), Jason Rockx (Brownsville) and Austin Gould (Niagara on the Lake) secured the next three placements, while Wyatt Kerr (Cambridge) suffered a "DNF" (did not finish) after showing the way in race #1.
McDonald currently sits second, overall, in the 250 Junior class and the Youth Junior of the New Era Moto Cup series, with races three and four set for the upcoming long weekend.
Less than a month later, the oldest of two motocross riders in the family (not even a teenager yet, Elliott has moved up to the bigger bikes this year and is adapting well), Everett would enjoy a particularly memorable weekend at the AMO (Amateur Motocross Ontario) Swiona MX Park, going four for four in winning races in both the 250 Junior class, as well as the Youth Junior class.
Brandon Rodwell (Woodstock), Kalvyn Mazar (Caledon), Tristan Dares (Rockwood), Austin Gould and Ryan Isaac (Kitchener) were among the riders nipping at his heels.
Very little slippage this past weekend in Walton, as McDonald attended the 2019 AMO Amateur National Qualifier (ANQ), Spring Series and Ontario Provincial Series event, overcoming a 10th place finish in race #1 (250 Junior) to finish 3rd in race #2, and 4th overall in that bracket.
Kobi Cox of Brantford won both races, with Justin Neiser (Waterdown) second in both, and Rodwell in third. McDonald was right on top of the heap in the Youth Junior class, combining a 1st and 2nd for 94 points, comfortably ahead of both Tristan Dares (80) and Mason Firby (Aylmer) with 78 points.
Needing to crack the top eight, provincially speaking, in order to qualify for the Canadian Grand Nationals, McDonald finds himself in 1st in both the 250 Junior and Youth Junior after a total of five rounds of the Amateur National Qualifiers.
He has also clinched the AMO Spring Series Championship in both the 250 Junior and Youth Junior, and after two rounds, is in great shape for the seven round 2019 Tag Metal Ontario Provincial Series, accumulating 112 points to date and trailing only Brandon Rodwell (114) by just two points.
The local motocross family are back in Owen Sound, this coming weekend, with stops in Sault Ste Marie, London and Ottawa planned for July.
