May 26, 2009
New Kid on the Blog
Hello there, folks. My name is Danny Brault and I’m a new guy here at Yamaha Motor Canada. My official title is “Public Relations Coordinator” (fancy, eh?), and my main responsibilities are developing ad creative, writing PRs, managing race team support and sponsorships, delegating product tests and demos, and, in general, telling everyone how awesome our products are and why you should be using a Yamaha.
I like long walks in the park, the Tragically Hip, the Trailer Park Boys show and enjoying fine cuisine, like Arby’s, in my hometown of Peterborough.
In my last year with RXC, we teamed up with Destroyer Films to produce weekly online Moto Shows from each round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals. I sucked in front of the camera, but people enjoyed watching regardless. Check'em out at www.racerxcanada.com.
I also have a big passion for the sport of motocross. I started riding/racing dirt bikes at the age of 3 and haven’t stopped since. Racing runs deep in our family’s bloodline. Back in the `70’s, my father, Donny, raced oval track on sleds at the pro level and also some ATV stuff when he felt like it; his brother, Dougie, has been racing motocross since the early `80’s and played a major role in teaching me the finer points of racing, like cleaning air filters, sticker placement and overcoming the “fear” of jumps (which was basically berating me and calling me a a sap until I had no choice but to “go for it”). So with that, it was only natural that my younger brother, Corey, and I would be involved in some form of racing and we chose motocross.
We both steadily improved throughout our careers, but we never really took racing seriously enough to consider making a living from it. We enjoyed riding more than anything. I was fortunate enough, however, to land a position in the industry as an editor for Racer X Canada magazine and earn some free stickers and t-shirts. (My brother, meanwhile, actually wanted to make money, so he began an apprenticeship as an electrician.)
I started with RXC in the spring of 2005, right after I had graduated from Durham College with a diploma in Print Journalism, and worked with them until August 2008. It was a great experience; I met tons of good people, traveled all over North America, and got to share stories of Canadian racers in print and online. Sadly, RXC closed its doors shortly after the final Canadian National last year in Walton.
Being young and naive, I never really pictured working anywhere else. RXC was a home with a good heart, and like a child, I didn’t want to live anywhere else. Plus, my boss never gave me a curfew and let girls sleep over – but only on the weekends. I’ve never been a big believer that money brings happiness; I just wanted a job that was fun, fulfilling and something that I could feel passionate about. I had that with RXC, but with it gone, now what?
What’s that saying … when one door closes, another opens? Well, this winter, that saying couldn’t have been any more true after landing this great gig with Yamaha. Strangely enough, before I worked with RXC, and experienced the perks of free bikes and gear, Yamaha’s were the last bikes that I paid for. (I know, I know—I’m spoiled.) Obviously, a position with any manufacturer would be wonderful, but it’s even better when you already believe in their product and they have a great relationship with motocross and racing in general.
In the classic words of Mr. Sled Talk, Chris Reid, “pull up a stump” and read on for a little background regarding my previous life with The Blue Team. The year was 2000, I was riding a 125 two-stroke at the time, and my uncle Dougie had purchased a brand new YZ426F.
The "Bro Show" on his 2005 YZ250F in the intermediate class at the Sand Del Lee Ontario Provincial. Notice the right arm nearly twisting the throttle tube right off. True aggression.
We were riding at my parents’ home on our backyard track when my uncle offered me his 426 for a few laps… …I was excited to say the least. Ever since watching Doug Henry win the Las Vegas SX three years earlier, I thought that these “thumpers” were the coolest. I don’t know why; everyone was saying that they were heavy and slow revving, but I thought they were neat, something different, you know? So I hopped onto my uncle’s 426 and off I went.
Almost immediately, I felt at home on the big four-stroke. Yes, it didn’t tuck into the corners quite like my 125, but it was so easy to ride and I absolutely loved the sound. (Oddly enough, now that everyone is on four-strokes, I miss the sweet, snappy sound of a finely tuned two-stroke.)
I quickly learned the trick to riding these big fellas; keep it in a higher gear, roll on the throttle and use torque and momentum to get around the track. The 426 continued to grow on me, and my uncle had to literally walk out onto the track and hollar at me to shut’er down for the night. While I enjoyed that big beast, I was still only 125 lb. or so and wasn’t sure if I could handle that monster quite yet.
Then, as if Yamaha engineers were reading my mind, I saw a sneak preview of the 2001 YZ250F in Motocross Action. Was this too good to be true … a mini-thumper fit for a rider of my size and capable of producing power equal to or better than a 125? As we’ve all found out, it certainly is, and that winter we paid a visit to “The Moaner” John Nelson at Machine Racing to pick up a brand new YZ250F.
Not surprisingly, I was one of only a few riders who saw the potential in the new 250F and four-stroke craze. People don’t like change, especially racers, and most believed that thumpers belonged in the woods or on the roads, not on the track. It actually took me some time before I started riding the 250F properly. Still thinking of my uncle’s 426, I tried lugging the 250 instead of being more aggressive and pushing the rev limiter. But once I got the hang of it, and found that sweet spot, I started grabbing holeshots and some respectable finishes at CMRC regional events in the Junior classes.
To keep things short, I went on to own a few more Yamaha four-strokes (and even a YZ250 two-stroke for a few months in 2003) and my results continued to improve, still not to the point where Blackfoot would be calling me anytime soon. There you have it, the incredible story of Yamaha and Danny Brault. Two great entities, finally reunited.
Now where the heck is my Yamaha, Mr. Swanton?!?
Remember, when all else fails, just give’er!
DanBro
Loading ...
Congrats on the new job Danny, you will do a great job for Yamaha, they are lucky to have you. See you at the races.
May 26th, 2009 at 5:10 pmgreat blog,and Danny you have the right attitude,do what turns you on and have fun.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:53 amLots of luck on your new job and I am sure your going to do a real good job! Biking is in your blood.
I drive a FJR 1300 and love it,great touring and fun bike.
Larry.
Thanks for reading! I’m going to do my best to keep everyone updated on the latest happenings in world of two wheels (with some Yamaha flavour, of course) with this Blog. Stay tuned for more!
May 27th, 2009 at 8:51 amHey –enjoyable reading your blog…you have the writing stream 2nd only to Chris.
Hope you savour your relationship with Yamaha …for years to come. Did you have early aspirations of moving to Motocross Action magazine when RX closed?
You mentioned your arm twist – look at 700’s head – he’s interested to…
Remember reading elsewhere, many years ago, how a Yamaha engineer wanted 4/’s and ended up building the first Yamaha models at home in his shop with some buds…. Lucky for you..by the sounds of it.
Will the big thumper have FI soon? Up until this year I would have never dreamed FI would be competitive MX …. James – well his carb worked well – but that’s not really fair.
Sleds – my interest re-kindled after 2+ decades of an engine sabbatical. My horrible emergence at a meeting in 99 is something I want to turn the clock back on. If I had only ridden one – would have realized …. nothing …had…. changed.
I don’t remember your Dad racing….. maybe he remembers me (74, 75, 76) – tell him were still kickin….
May 27th, 2009 at 8:55 amthanks, Bob! Chris definitely does a great job on Sled Talk. I see he’s been tossing in a few teasers regarding some updates coming to one of our SM’s … heck, he won’t even show me a pic or give me some details! Damn embargo agreements; they’re no fun.
No, I didn’t have any aspirations to work with MXA. I prefer to stay in Canada and report on our racers. Plus, I could never live in a country that doesn’t offer gravy and cheese curds with fries. Mmm, poutine ….
#700, that’s Trevor Middleton. I think he was just jealous of my sweet rad shroud decals. He was a pretty quick rider who turned pro a few years back, but I haven’t seen him at the track since 2007??
Again, I know nothing of the new YZ models
. That said, I’m receiving the impression that the 450 is going to be really, really cool. Two-wheel drive maybe? And you’re right, while Stewart’s bike was obviously the best because, well, because I say so, he could probably win on a Huffy (with a flat tire).
I actually called up my dad to see if he knew you. He doesn’t think so, and said that ’73 was his last hooray on the sled scene. Now he just sits around the woodstove and tells us how fast he used to be.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:14 amWelcome aboard Danny! Great writing!
May 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pmI am a sled guy more then a bike guy. My wheel popping days were in the early 80′s when my “must have” bike was an RD 350. (I hope nobody spilled their coffee when they read that.)
Best of luck in the new job, and don’t trust anyone from the sled corner……especially….heck, just keep an eye an all of them.
Phil Molto’
SnowGoerCanada