Triple Crown Series

Last updated
Triple Crown Series
Screenshot 2024-12-13 195834.png
Triple Crown Series logo
Category Motocross
CountryCanada
Inaugural season2018
Motorsport current event.svg Current season

The Triple Crown Series is the premier domestic Canadian off-road motorcycle racing series, sanctioned by Motorsport Racing Canada.

Contents

The series currently runs annually throughout the summer months each year although has previously spanned a wider duration when Supercross and Arenacross rounds were included. The premier classes are the 450 Pro and 250 Pro but there are also classes for women riders and two-stroke motorcycles.

The Triple Crown Series took over as the premier off-road series in Canada in 2018, when promoter Jetwerx acquired the Canadian Motorsport Racing Club and renamed it Motorsport Racing Canada (MRC). Prior to this, the highest level of motocross racing in Canada had gone through several guises from its inception in the 1950s and had been known as the Canadian Motocross Nationals in the period prior to Jetwerx's acquisition.

History

The sport of motocross has a long history in Canada, with the first organised national championship happening in 1958. [1] In the 1960s and 70's, European, American and Japanese riders competed in the national championships in Canada, raising the level of the series and the profile of the sport nationally. [2]

By the 1990s the Continental Motosport Club begun sanctioning events in competition with the Canadian Motorcycle Association. Renamed to be the Canadian Motosport Racing Club, the company became the promoter of the Canadian Motocross Nationals up until the end of the 2017 season. [3]

Following Jetwerx's acquisition and renaming of the CMRC to Motorsport Racing Canada, the series was transformed into the Triple Crown Series for 2018 onwards. [4] This saw the creation of a 'Grand National' style overall Triple Crown championship, encompassing points totalled from the separate national Motocross, Supercross & Arenacross championships in the country. Within this, the winner of each of the three separate championships became the national champion in that discipline.

The 2020 and 2021 season saw no Arenacross rounds held and from 2022 onwards there have been no Supercross rounds held. Arenacross returned in 2022 and 2023 but the 2024 season saw the Triple Crown Series contested over the Motocross rounds only.

Dylan Wright is the most successful rider in the championship since 2018, winning 4 overall Triple Crown titles across the two main classes.

Event Format

All rounds of the Triple Crown Series typically have a single day format, whether that be a motocross, supercross or arenacross event.

At an MX Tour event, the two main classes have a 12-minute free practice session, followed by a 15-minute qualifying session. The 250 Pro class then has two 25 minute + 2 lap main races whilst the 450 class has two 30 minute + 2 lap races. [5]

Points are awarded to finishers of the main races in the MX Tour, in the following format:

Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  11th  12th  13th  14th  15th  16th  17th  18th  19th  20th  
Points2522201816151413121110987654321

Both the AX Tour and SX Tour start with a 7-8 minute practice and qualifying session, followed by 8 lap Heat Races. Both tours then hold A Mains followed by a Superfinal. [5]

Points are awarded to finishers of the A Mains in the AX Tour, in the following format:

Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th 
Points25222018161514131211

Points are awarded to finishers of the A Mains in the SX Tour, in the following format:

Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  11th  12th  13th  14th  15th 
Points25222018161514131211109876

Broadcast

Each round of the Triple Crown Series is streamed on RydeTV and broadcast on the Fox Sports Racing cable network. [6]

List of Champions

Overall Champions

Season450 Pro Champion250 Pro Champion
2024 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jess Pettis (KTM) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kaven Benoit (KTM)
2023 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ryder McNabb (KTM)
2022 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell Harrison (Gas Gas)
2021 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of the United States.svg Darian Sanayei (Kawasaki)
2020 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of the United States.svg Marshal Weltin (Kawasaki)
2019 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Nicoletti (Yamaha) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda)
2018 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jess Pettis (Yamaha)

MX Tour Champions

Season450 Pro Champion250 Pro Champion
2024 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jess Pettis (KTM) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kaven Benoit (KTM)
2023 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ryder McNabb (KTM)
2022 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ryder McNabb (Honda)
2021 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jake Piccolo (KTM)
2020 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jess Pettis (KTM)
2019 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Colton Facciotti (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda)
2018 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Colton Facciotti (Honda) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jess Pettis (Yamaha)

AX Tour Champions

Season450 Pro Champion250 Pro Champion
2023 Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell Harrison (Gas Gas) Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell Harrison (Gas Gas)
2022 Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell Harrison (Gas Gas) Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell Harrison (Gas Gas)
2019 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Wright (Honda)
2018 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Shawn Maffenbeier (Kawasaki)

SX Tour Champions

Season450 Pro Champion250 Pro Champion
2021 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of the United States.svg Darian Sanayei (Kawasaki)
2020 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of the United States.svg Marshal Weltin (Kawasaki)
2019 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Nicoletti (Yamaha) Flag of the United States.svg Luke Renzland (Yamaha)
2018 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Thompson (KTM) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jess Pettis (Yamaha)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motocross</span> Off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits

Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom.

The AMA Supercross Championship is an American motorcycle racing series. Founded by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1974, the AMA Supercross Championship races are held from January through early May. Supercross is a variant of motocross which involves off-road motorcycles on a constructed dirt track consisting of steep jumps and obstacles; the tracks are usually constructed inside a sports stadium. The easy accessibility and comfort of these stadium venues helped supercross surpass off-road motocross as a spectator attraction in the United States by the late 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy McGrath</span> American motorcycle racer

Jeremy McGrath is an American former professional motocross and supercross racer. Considered one of the most popular and influential riders in the history of motorcycle racing, McGrath won seven AMA Supercross 250cc championships, one 250cc AMA Motocross championship, two 125cc West championships and a record 72 premier class supercross wins. He was also a two-time FIM Supercross World Champion as well as a two-time Team USA Motocross des Nations winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Stewart Jr.</span> American motorcycle racer

James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba Stewart, is an American former professional motocross racer who competed in the AMA Motocross Championship and the AMA Supercross Championships. Through his years of racing, he earned the nickname "The Fastest Man on The Planet".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Carmichael</span> American motorcycle and stock car racing driver

Richard Joseph Carmichael is an American former professional motocross and stock car racing driver. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1997 to 2007 and in NASCAR from 2008 to 2011. His unrivaled successes in the sport of motocross earned him the nickname "The GOAT"; standing for Greatest of All Time. He won 15 AMA championships (1st), 10 in Motocross (1st), five in Supercross (2nd); scored 150 wins (1st), 102 in Motocross (1st), 48 in Supercross (4th); had two perfect Motocross seasons; was never beaten in 125 Supercross; and was a five-time winner of the AMA's Rider of the Year award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Reed</span> Australian motorcycle racer

Chad Mark Reed is an Indigenous Australian motocross and supercross racer. He is a two-time AMA Supercross 450cc champion, a one-time AMA Motocross 450cc champion, record holder for the most main event starts in AMA Supercross history with 265 starts, as well as podium finishes with 132.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Ward (motorsports)</span> American motorcycle racer

Jeffrey Ward is a British-American former professional motocross racer, auto racing driver and off-road racer. He won the AMA Motocross Championship five times and the AMA Supercross Championship twice and the Motocross des Nations seven times. After retiring from motorcycle competition, Ward turned to auto racing, finishing in second place at the Indianapolis 500 and winning a race at the Texas Motor Speedway. He then competed in off-road truck racing and rallycross. Ward was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and, was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on 12 August 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Windham</span> American motorcycle racer

Kevin Windham, is an American former professional motocross racer. At 17 he received a full factory ride from Team Yamaha. He has raced for many factory teams and holds several titles, back to back AMA 125 West Supercross Championships in 1996 and 1997, the 2005 Motocross des Nations team championship, and 2nd in points for the 2008 supercross season. In 1999 Windham won the United States Grand Prix of Motocross held at Budd's Creek, Maryland. Despite his longtime status as one of the world's fastest motocross racers, he is yet to win a major National or World Championship. He is better known by the nickname K-Dub on the racing scene. He announced his retirement from racing at the third round of the 2013 Supercross season.

CMRC was Canada's largest motocross racing organization and a league for the top riders of the country, until its purchase by Jetwerx International Inc in 2017. Motocross in Canada would continue with Jetwerx under the new name of MRC Motorsport Racing Canada.

David Vuillemin is a French former professional motocross and supercross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1995 to 1999 and won the 1999 supercross world championship. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 2000 and 2008 before returning to the Motocross World Championships for one final season in 2009. Although Vuillemin never won a major championship, he was twice the runner-up in the AMA Supercross championships and, was one of the few competitors who could beat both Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael in their prime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle racing</span> Racing sport using motorcycles

The motorcycle sport of racing includes motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and land speed record trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Villopoto</span> American motorcycle racer

Ryan Daniel Villopoto is an American former professional motocross and supercross racer who competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 2005 to 2014; a four-time 450cc AMA Supercross Champion, a two-time 450cc AMA Motocross Champion, a three-time 250cc AMA Motocross Champion & a one-time 250cc West Supercross Champion. He was also a member of the winning USA team at the 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2011 Motocross Des Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Johnson</span> American motorcycle racer

Richard Bernard "Ricky" Johnson Jr. is an American former professional motocross, off-road truck and stock car racer. He competed in AMA motocross and Supercross during the 1980s and, won seven AMA national championships. He later switched to off-road racing. He won the Pro 2WD Trophy Truck championship in the 1998 Championship Off-Road Racing and 2010 TORC Series. He also won the Pro 4WD class at the 2011 and 2012 TORC Series. In September 2012, Johnson won the 4x4 world championship race at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway and later that day won the AMSOIL Cup pitting the two and four wheel drive trucks. Johnson won the 2014 Frozen Rush, the first short-course off-road race on snow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Dungey</span> American motorcycle racer

Ryan Dungey is an American retired professional motocross and supercross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 2006 to 2017 and again in 2022. He is a four-time 450cc AMA Supercross Champion, a three-time 450cc AMA Motocross Champion, a one-time 250cc AMA Supercross West & 250cc AMA Motocross Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson Mason</span> Canadian racing driver

Nelson Mason is a Canadian racing driver currently racing in the World Series Formula V8 3.5 for Teo Martín Motorsport. He is one of only a handful of Canadian racing drivers who made the step into the European motorsport scene with some success. He added the 2013 European F3 Open Winter Series Championship to his crown and made the move up into World Series this year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eli Tomac</span> American motorcycle racer (born 1992)

Eli Tomac is an American professional Motocross and Supercross racer who competes in the AMA Supercross and Motocross championships; a two-time AMA 450cc Supercross champion, four-time AMA 450cc Motocross champion, one-time AMA 250cc Supercross West & 250cc AMA Motocross champion. He is second all-time in 450cc AMA Supercross wins with 52, and third all-time in 450cc AMA Motocross wins with 32.

The FIM Supercross World Championship is the premier championship for international stadium supercross racing. It is organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the global governing body of motorcycle racing.

The SuperMotocross World Championship is the premier combined discipline of American off-road motorcycle racing. Conceived in 2023 after the AMA Supercross Championship lost its FIM World Championship status, the series consists of the aforementioned Supercross series and the AMA Motocross Championship, followed by two playoff races and a final to determine the SuperMotocross world champion.

Shane McElrath is an American professional Motocross and Supercross racer.

Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) is an Indian motorcycle racing league. Unlike other leagues which are city-based, it is a franchise-based supercross league organised by Team SXI in collaboration with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI). CEAT is the main sponsor of ISRL while Toyota Hilux is the official vehicle partner for Season1. Frenchman, Jordi Tixier, a former World Motocross Champion (2018) won three races in the inaugural ISRL Round 1 held at Pune on 28 January 2024. BigRock Motorsports won the team championship table after three rounds.

References

  1. "PAST CANADIAN NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONS – PRESENT TO 1958". mxpmag.com. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  2. "Canadian Motocross History 1970 – 1975". motoparkracing.com. 30 November 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  3. Carl Bastedo. "1950 – 2000 Canadian Motocross: A Brief History". locmx.com. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  4. "WELCOME TO MRC: MOTORSPORT RACING CANADA BUYS OUT CMRC". motocrossactionmag.com. January 9, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Motorsport Racing Canada. "2024 MRC Pro Rulebook" (PDF). triplecrownseries.ca. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  6. "Triple Crown Series - How to Watch". directmotocross.com. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2024.