WHITECOURT, AB – After a strong second place finish in the 2011 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series Championship points chase, Kevin Wheeler has admitted to dabbling in some motorcycle racing last month. The driver of the KW Mechanical #3 Dodge threw his leg over a Yamaha YZ 250 motorcycle and participated in an Alberta Old Timers Motocross Association event. “I rode a dirt bike as a kid but I’ve never competed in a motocross race before.” On the August long weekend, riders gathered east of Sherwood Park, Alberta at the Antler Lake Motocross track. “My brother (Wayne) joined the group last year and said that this is something I had to try.” Wheeler got in a little practice session Saturday in preparation for Sundays big race.

“I raced in the novice division,” says the Whitecourt, Alberta driver, “I was hoping they were going to put me in the amateur class but that wasn’t the case.” For a driver more accustomed to fenders, a roll cage and a steering wheel, Wheeler grabbed a hold of the handlebar and steered his two-wheeled machine to a third-place finish in his motocross debut. “I didn’t even know where I finished,” exclaims Wheeler, “I couldn’t believe it when I was told. There’s just bikes everywhere on the track. It’s hard to tell who’s leading.” Twenty-nine riders took the green flag. Wheeler admits he was a little unprepared for the conditioning needed to race a motorcycle.

“I thought racing a 30 lap Feature in a stock car was tiring. I was absolutely exhausted after the first race.” Each class (Amateur Novice, Experts and Master) races for a minimum of 15 minutes plus 1 lap. Wheeler did have second thoughts about participating in the second moto even after his podium finish in race one. “I wasn’t going to race the second moto. I was done. But my brother started egging me on so I strapped on the helmet. I was dead tired after only about four laps but got my second wind and managed to finish seventh.” Wheeler had enough energy (plus family ‘encouragement’) to compete in the third and final race of the day and finished fourth. The next event for the AOTMA is Saturday and Sunday, October 1st and 2nd at Antler Lake. Right now Wheeler is on the fence as to whether he will be competing at this event.

OTHER WHEELER MOTORSPORT NOTABLES
– has finished on the NPP Season Championship podium the last two seasons (2nd in 2011 / 3rd in 2010)
– had an average finish of 3.4 in 2011 NPP Feature events. (8.5 in 2008)
– second NPP Series driver to win a Feature in the United States (September 2008)
– made his NPP Series debut in 2006.
– 2002 Alberta Outlaw Modified Champion
– 2nd in 2001 Alberta Outlaw Modified season points at Castrol Raceway