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Ladd returns to home arenacross event in Cloverdale

Ethan Ladd set to soar in front of a home crowd as the Canadian Arenacross Championship series returns to the Agriplex.
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Ethan Ladd races under the pro number 85.

The Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Championship series returns to Cloverdale this weekend, where a local competitor is set to soar on his 250 dirt bike in front of a home town crowd.

Presented by Future West Productions, the series is already four rounds in, with the action alternating between Chilliwack Heritage Park and the Cloverdale Agriplex, which is hosting rounds 5 and 6 on Jan. 17 and18 (Friday and Saturday).

The indoor dirt bike races features competitors in all age categories. Cloverdale’s Ethan Ladd is entering the MX2 Pro and Open Pro classes. His qualifying rounds are held in the afternoon, with the main events getting underway at 7 p.m. both nights.

Ladd, who rode his first bike at five and began racing at the tender age of 9, graduated six months early from Clayton Heights Secondary in January of last year in order to focus on his motocross training.

The move appears to be paying off for the 18-year-old, who recently made the move up to the pro classes, earning his number: 85. His goal is to move up in the rankings.

“I want to get in the top five overall. I’m sitting in eighth (spot) right now.”

The first four rounds of the series took place in November.

“I’d like to hopefully get into the top 10 for the nationals this year coming up.”

Ladd has has earned a full sponsorship with Future West Moto Industries, along with sponsorships from Big Steel Box, Gator’s Gym in Cloverdale, Ride Industries, RMR Suspensions, Goldentyre, and Atlas Braces.

Securing sponsorships is an important step, allowing him to get  into the kind of physical shape the extreme sport demands.

Considering the physical pounding involved, Ladd’s injuries haven’t been too bad – he’s broken a wrist and a leg.

“It’s hard on your body,” he says.

He doesn’t get scared preparing or while he’s racing 15 or so action-packed laps. Instead, he just feels the “adrenaline when you’re riding.”

Fans of the sport can catch some of the highlights online, but, “It’s definitely better to watch in person,” he says.

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