Christie’s Paris Flat Track debut; joined by fellow road racers

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Category: CSBK News

Published on Saturday, August 23, 2014 08:00 EDT

Newly crowned MOPAR Canadian National Superbike Champion Jodi Christie had an encouraging flat track debut at Paris Speedway on Friday night, August 22, five days after clinching his overall road racing crown for Honda.  Aboard a Honda CRF450 on loan from Flat Track Canada boss Aaron Hesmer, Christie made it to the final in all three classes he entered at the traditional Friday night short track event.

Also on hand at Paris were fellow CSBK Pro class racers Kenny Riedmann and Ross Milson, fresh from strong efforts of their own at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park last weekend.  Triumph triple-mounted Riedmann clinched the Hindle Pro Sport Bike National Championship title, while Millson returned to the series after a lengthy layoff to earn strong results in the Pro Superbike Feature races aboard a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Like Christie, Motovan-backed Millson was making his flat track debut at Paris, piloting a borrowed Nickerson Yamaha.  Riedmann had flat tracked several times two years ago, and when Christie decided to race at Paris, buddy Kenny borrowed his former FT Kawasaki single.  All three were using Paris as a warm-up for the Half Mile National at the London Fairgrounds scheduled for Saturday evening, August 23.

Paris is famous for its quick program, and after a couple of laps of practice and a pair of heat races, Riedmann and Millson headed for the Novice class Consolation race.  Millson grabbed the hole shot and Riedmann took the win, Millson pushed wide on the last lap to settle for third.  None of the Consolation racers qualified for the Novice Main event.

Christie started last, on the outside of row two, for the Novice Main event.  Out of eight starters, Christie battled to a strong fifth place.  Early in the race, Christie hooked up to dice with visiting “Cycle Canada” Editor Neil Graham, aboard a Honda 250 also borrowed from the Hesmer fleet.

Ten bikes lined up for the Expert Main, Riedmann and Christie making it to the Feature race. Christie ran with the pack and made a couple of passes, winding up ninth.  Riedmann got a good start and wound up fourth, Doug Beattie earning the victory.

Following the Feature, Christie returned to the dirt oval for his third race in a row, the Mad Dog final.  Christie’s mount, a CT Baja sans suspension, was delayed with starter issues, the field waiting patiently for the Superbike Champ.  Christie survived the Mad Dog class mayhem to net fifth in the popular “pit bike” class.

 “I had a lot of fun, and I was pleased with the steady progress,” explained Christie post race.  “I hung with the Pros in the Main, I was keeping them in reach, but there were a few bobbles!”

“I really didn’t expect for things to go quite so well,” continued Christie of his dirt debut.  “I was really glad I could pick things up, I was a little nervous going in.  I didn’t take it easy, it’s embedded in me to race hard, when the lights go green, it’s always a real race.  Now I have to build some experience, work on some details, and see how I do on the big half mile at London tomorrow night.”

Riedmann confirmed that he had earned better results previously on the ovals, “but never in the Expert Feature and never with this big a field.  It was good to get back out on the flat tracker, the whole event was fun with all the regulars and the road racers added.”

After a busy summer racing in a variety of disciplines, veteran Millson was frustrated with the Consolation race, saying “sure I lead, but I totally blew it!  Still, I had a blast.  I should have been doing this all year, and I’m going to do more – I live close to the track.”

“The track held up really well, and as the night went on I seemed to find more grip,” reflected oval first-timer Millson.  “I’m really looking forward to riding at London on the bigger track, with the higher speeds.”