If there’s one thing Brock Hoyer’s learned in five seasons racing the CMRC Monster Energy Motocross Nationals it’s to have fun.
The 25-year-old professional from Williams Lake wrapped up the first of nine legs of this year’s cross-Canada series Sunday at Nanaimo’s Wasteland race track under less than stellar conditions.
“I got there, the weather was good, I was feeling good, my bikes were all ready to go and basically it just started raining and didn’t stop all weekend,” Hoyer said Monday on his way back to Williams Lake from the island. “It was the nastiest mud race you could think of.”
Racing in the MX1 class, Hoyer finished his first moto in ninth, followed by an 18th overall finish Sunday in moto number two leaving him 12th place overall heading into race two of the series this weekend at Kamloops’ Whispering Pines race track.
“It wasn’t as good as I wanted to finish,” he said. “Normally I’m a lot better in mud.”
Heading into Kamloops, however, Hoyer knows and feels he can improve and position himself for a run deep into the series.
“I can do a lot better,” he said. “The circumstances weren’t in my favour so I’m just going to regroup and attack this weekend.”
Hoyer is no stranger to Whispering Pines having spent countless hours racing the Westsyde track over the years. Outside of the track in Williams Lake, Hoyer said it’s the track he feels most comfortable on.
“I definitely have a home track advantage there,” he said. “I know the ins and outs of it and I feel right at home there and I have a good opportunity to do well there.”
Hoyer added he’s taking a slightly different approach to this year’s series by not putting as much pressure on himself.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned and something I could put on to other people is to just enjoy it,” he said. “Just go have fun, no pressure. Just do what you do and come off with a smile and go from there.
“The biggest thing in motocross, from the local stuff to the big races, is you’re looking toward the end of the year points.”
Asked whether this will be his last year racing the pro series Hoyer said he’s unsure.
“I keep trying to say that [it will be my last year] and it seems like every year I keep getting more and more support,” he said. “I’m never going to quit the local stuff, but it’s hard to say.
“I’ve got such a great group of sponsors helping me out financially and at the end of the day if I can’t pay my bills it’s hard to keep doing it but as it is right now I have great support. I’m one of the only pros I know who has a full-time job ... so it’s definitely a bit harder but it’s something I can cope with and something I’ve been used to doing. I just find that happy medium where I still enjoy everything I do.”
Following this weekend’s race the series moves east across Canada, wrapping up with the ninth race Aug. 18 in Walton, Ont.
Depending on his results from the first four western races Hoyer said he'll make a decision on whether to travel east for the remaining events.
“I haven’t jumped out to the best start but hopefully I can bring it back and get my points back on top,” he said. “After the fourth round I’ll make a decision but I for sure want to do Walton for the last round because I have some sponsors that will be out there.”
In preparation for this year’s event Hoyer spent three weeks in March training in California.
“I kind of got a head start on the year so it’s definitely helped me out and get ahead of the game,” he said.
Hoyer added a thank you to sponsors Spectra Power Sports, Fox Suspension by RMR, MX1 Canada, Mitas Tires, Fox gear, Shift gear, Stampede Glass, Big O Tires, Printworks and T. Archer Ltd.