AMRA'S TALENTED TEENS OFF TO SPAIN AGAIN IN 2006

What does the AMRA and Moto GP have in common? 

 Well the stars from Moto GP raced at the famed Valencia track in the Spanish grand prix October 29/06 and two of our talented young teenaged Mini RoadRacing Stars-

( Tanner Thiessen #12 aged 14 and Cody Matechuk #111 aged 11)

-will be racing on that same sacred ground in Spain on December 16-17/06  At the 4th Annual Metrakit Mini GP World Festival, racing against some of the most talented Mini Road racing kids in the world.

 Talk about a Father and Son trip of a life time, Flying off to Spain, Staying in the same Hotel as Alex Barros and Carlos Checa both from Moto GP and their Sons all set out to show their talents to the Spanish crowds and the world. The Metrakit bikes are supplied and over one hundred kids from all over the world will compete in this two day event.
 With the talent level that Tanner and Cody have shown on thier 2006 Metrakit bikes this year, those other teens will be in for some intense competition.

Metrakit supplies the 72-125cc bikes - capable of 140km + speeds to all the teen racers with mechanical support.

Tanner was lucky enough to race last year on a Metrakit 50cc bike in Spain and finished 12th, This year Tanner will be competing in the Metrakit Pre GP 125 class, Cody will be competing in the Metrakit Mini GP 70 class.

Tanner will be emailing the club daily with updates during the event so stay tuned.

Check out the video from 04

Tanner's Dad Lee Thiessen's notes on the 05 race

Lee - on being a parent and going to Spain - Holly my wife and I were looking for a sport that Tanner could feel good in...... - the mini club has exceeded all our expectations - Tanner has come to learn so much in the area of competition - team spirit and commitment to doing his best - we are very proud of him and are grateful that he has found a childhood activity that will always bring fond memories- I love how Tanner never looks at anyone when he is racing - his focus is huge and he is determined - we have encouraged him to do his best and ensure that he is always there for the team- going to Spain is huge - we talked about it a long time - it was important that he was comfortable on his new bike and had the confidence to go overseas to complete - learn - enjoy and feel proud of his accomplishment - the grid will be full of global juniors with huge experience - we are proud of Tanner and look forward to seeing him setup on the grid as he races with a group of amazing young riders!!!!- I want personally want to thank AMRA's - Berna - Jay - Angus and Dave - for their belief in Tanner - winning is not the issue - (right) rather it has been to watch Tanner grow as a young competitor - the support and high fives from the club has been amazing -  

See you all - after Spain -  Lee

" We asked Lee to phone us at home, what ever the time to keep us all up to date on how their weekend is going" (Actually we begged to go but I guess it's better someone stays here to pass on his info, at least that's what Lee said) 

What Lee had to say when they came back

Tanner was focused to go and have fun - no expectations other than to meet new kids and experience racing in another country - what we didn't realize that the Spanish are "nuts" about racing - this venue was world class and over whelming - this was the show!!!! - I saw him start to think and ponder and then settle in as only Tanner does - for any of you that know Tanner he is very focused - he says little and does allot of listening - in the Metrakit garage he was coached by the Brazilians and the Americans - both of which had been to the track before - he listened - and went out in the time trials with a commitment to get his lap times down - his times consistently dropped to the point that on his last lap in the race on Sunday he ran a 2:14 - this was only seconds off the lead -
 
Tanner saw allot of accidents and also found himself in the gravel on one occasion - his buddies were shook up - he was quiet and focused -  he studied and asked questions - and was committed to braking late and getting on the gas early - (Jay and Angus would be proud) Feedback from the garage was brilliant - the mechanics were very focused on how the bike was set up - I must admit he felt like a "rock star" - 3 mechanics pouring over the bike asking him questions and doing their best to set the bike up just right for him - this was amazing and was a true testament to Metrakit and their commitment to the international contingent of racers that came from all over the world to race and compete.
 
Race day - sunny and 20 degrees - the smell of Repsol race fuel in the air - bikes all revving at 15,000 rpm to get the temp up to race  - tires in the warmers!!!! (serious) - grid set - umbrella girls and all - the rest is history - tanner showed up and road the race of his life - his words "dad- I was only getting warmed up when I saw the checkered flag"
 

12th place - a parade of international flags - and Spanish paella feast - brand new international race friends now talking via msn - and memories that will never leave - all developed at the GP track in Valencia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
THE AMRA ACKNOWLEDGES THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF: