My World Mini: One Canadian’s Perspective

The Vibe

What can be said about rolling into your first big amateur motocross event in the great country of America? In a word: electric and I’m not just talking about the Greenger CR minibikes or the many electric offerings from Amped. EV throttle therapy certainly played its role, but the energy of the event would make your hair stand on end. The overall feel at the event was a mix of families out for a fun weekend and fierce competitors jockeying for position. Both on the track and on the brand new MXGP style paddock platform, tensions ran high all week. It’s clear to me that when families sign up for a four-day event like World Mini Grand Prix, the top priority is to make memories as a family. Next on that list is make sure that those memories include taking home trophies like look like skyscrapers next to their children. Smiles all around which means the vibe was high all week.

The People

Families. All shapes, sizes, and walks of life. One common bond was share by all who entered the gates of Mesquite MX: their love for the sport of motocross. Some competitors not old enough to understand the magnitude of bringing the World Mini Grand Prix. Others saw this event as an opportunity to rekindle World Mini magic from yesteryear. Wherever you looked, smiling faces reflected an entire crowd completely consumed by the racing and all the activities surrounding it. From the outstanding track crew who tirelessly manicured the racing surface around the clock to the hopeful parents looking for their son or daughter to taste victory, good times were had by all.

The Memories

Where do I start? The beginning is a good spot to start, but I won’t bore you with my taxi ride from my apartment to Richardson International Airport. My trip really started when I sat shotgun next to Brent Stallo (whom I’d never met). After a quick stop for a pair of number ones from Chick-fil-A, we set sail for Mesquite, NV. To say I gelled with the entire crew would be a massive understatement. When we arrived at the track on Wednesday the chemistry was undeniable as we were able to divide and conquer the tasks that needed to be completed before practice got going. The moment that Wes Williams handed me the GoPro to record the Vurbmoto Vlog will stand out in my mind for quite some time. Having never done a vlog, it was the ultimate fake it until you make it moment and in my humble opinion, we crushed it. From early morning sight laps to human foosball to watching Jett Lawrence break his Triple Crown curse on Saturday night, there wasn’t a dull moment.

The Racing

When you show up to one of these major amateur events, you can literally feel the intensity rise as the gate drops. Make no mistake, families show up looking for a fun weekend but they’re also there to win. As the motos clicked off pecking orders got established but everyone knows that motocross races can swing at a moment’s notice. A great result in moto 1 means nothing more than a good position rolling into moto 2 where the size of your trophy is determined if you’re in the running. I witnessed the thriller of victory and the anguish of defeat all in the same moment as Alberta, Canada, product Parker Hatt was able to capitalize on the only moto that stopped Grayson Townsend from sweeping all 10 of his motos at World Mini. When the dust settled both tears of joy and disappointment were shed but that’s what makes racing great. You risk the feeling of taking a devasting loss for the chance to hoist a trophy taller than yourself.

The Future

There are only three guarantees that come along with the future for the Vurbmoto World Mini Grand Prix.

I will be there with Vurbmoto making sure everyone in attendance is having a blast.
The secret is out so there will undoubtedly by a ton more competitors battling for World Mini supremacy.
Vurbmoto will find endless ways to make future World Mini Grand Prix events a must for all young motocross racers.

The creativity without our group in unrivaled so if you missed out of World Mini 2023, mark your calendars for next year and make sure you line up next year. We’ll be stoked to see you.

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Main image: Spencer Owens