Long's ready for Gopher Dunes
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Konnor Long got a taste of Gopher Dunes training on the Courtland-area motocross track this summer.
This weekend, he’ll get to dive right in competing in the CMRC Amateur Day races on Saturday, July 13, followed by Sunday’s MX2 qualifier for the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals, which run later that day.
“This is my first time racing at Gopher,” said Long, 18, from Saint John, NB.
Earlier this year he was picked to be the first rider for Gopher Dunes Racing’s Amateur Program, designed to develop and support amateur motocross talent.
“It’s actually a lot like a track we have at home,” said Long on Monday. “We ride in a sand pit – it’s one line, not a real sand track. There’s no jumps, but it’s almost identical sand. So coming here it’s like a real track of what I’m used to riding.
“This one’s sandier and it gets a lot rougher.”
Considered one of the toughest tracks on the national motocross circuit, Gopher Dunes requires excellent conditioning, and Long recognizes the challenge.
“Sand’s one of the harder types of tracks to be able to go hard for the full 30 minutes. It’s conditioning, mostly.”
Long will race Saturday – Amateur Day – and try to qualify for Sunday’s Pro Nationals.
“Sunday, I expect to qualify for sure. That’s what I’m aiming for… and hopefully have some good finishes in the Top 20. Last year I did a couple rounds at the end of the year – Sand Del Lee and Walton – and I was around the 30-mark. Hopefully this year I’ll break into the Top 20,” he said, aiming to ride middle-of-the-pack in the 40-bike MX2 pro class.
“It’s a pretty big jump. They are pros for a reason. A lot of the top guys are on factory rides, they’re older, and they’ve been at it a lot longer. They’re just more experienced, faster and all-around better. It’s good to try to match yourself up against those guys and see where you land.
“This year I don’t really have high expectations. I just want to get some good finishes and kind of get my feet wet in it, see how things go. Mostly just try to be consistent and see what I can do.”
Long will be racing on his own bike, a Honda CRF 250R, set up similar to his GDR TDL Honda pro teammates Nathan Bles and Blake Savage.
“It’s my bike, but it’s all dressed up like theirs.”
HOCKEY BACKGROUND
Long grew up playing hockey, but left that sport in his bantam years.
“I played pretty competitive hockey, and… I don’t know… I just kind of got tired of it. My dad (Wayne Long, president of the QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs) is into hockey and it’s pretty big in my family. It’s just all day hockey-hockey-hockey.
“I was small and I was moving up into the bigger age groups… and I had a couple concussions. Motocross wasn’t exactly the ‘go-to’ sport, but after a little break…”
He first got into motocross five years ago and has been racing for the past four years, mostly in the Atlantic Canadian series.
“This is my first year doing the east coast at the nationals.”
After racing at Gopher Dunes, Long will tackle the remaining rounds in the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals – July 21st at Sand Del Lee, July 28th at Deschambault, Aug. 4th at Riverglade, and back to Walton on Aug. 18.
Longer term, he is unsure of his motocross future.
“It’s hard – there’s definitely no money in it for a lot of guys. Right now, it’s not about money. It’s about having fun, being a kid, trying to accomplish your goals.
“I’m going to go to school next year, and we’ll see from there.”