Slave Lake motocross riders raced their way to a strong 2026 season, bringing home a championship and several top-three finishes despite some challenges along the way.

Riders with the Slave Lake Motocross Association competed in the Alberta Vet Motocross Association series throughout the summer, with several finishing near the top of their respective classes.
Luke Vondermuhll, with the Slave Lake Motocross Association, says the season went well despite wet weather affecting some of the association’s plans.

“We had our typical number of riders and members,” says Vondermuhll.

The wet conditions hit Slave Lake particularly hard.
The association had planned a two-day riding school for June 6 and 7, where a trainer would come to Slave Lake to work with riders. However, it rained out.

The association’s home race, scheduled for June 27 and 28, was also cancelled because of the weather.

Vondermuhll says the cancellations were disappointing because both events are important sources of revenue for the association.
However, Slave Lake riders still had plenty to celebrate on the provincial circuit.

Leading the local results was Lilly Burley, who finished first overall in the 50 Beginner class and became the 2026 50B champion.
Brady Dick finished second overall in the +30 Intermediate class, while Kailey Dick took second overall in 50 Advanced.

Jayden Dick earned two podium finishes, taking third overall in both the 85 Advanced and GP Mini classes.

Kevin Burley finished second overall in +30 Expert.
Chris Wilson also brought home two podium results, finishing second overall in +50 Expert and third in the +45 Vet GPA class.
Randy Rushton finished eighth overall in +30 Expert, while Mike Simonson placed 10th overall in +40 Expert.

Vondermuhll says having a local track gives the riders an advantage because they have somewhere to regularly practise and push one another.

“I think it’s just dedication,” he says. “It’s having a track here that keeps them together, keeps them riding, gives them a place to practice.”
When the riders are practising together, Vondermuhll says they are almost racing one another at the same time, encouraging each other to improve.

“They’re pushing each other,” he says.
The Slave Lake track itself can also prepare riders for competition.

“Our track is a very challenging track,” says Vondermuhll. “If you can ride this track, you can usually go out and do well at some of the other tracks.”

The association has around 30 local riders, ranging from young beginners to experienced riders. Vondermuhll says children as young as three or four can ride on a smaller beginner track, while the oldest local rider is around 50.
Interest also extends beyond Slave Lake.
Vondermuhll says riders from communities including Athabasca and Whitecourt, as well as Edmonton, travelled to Slave Lake this year and purchased day passes to use the track.

The association has also continued improving its facility, located up Flat Top Road, about one kilometre from the highway.
One of the biggest improvements in 2026 was the installation of a sprinkler system, something the association had been working toward for years.

“We finally raised enough money and got enough help to do that,” says Vondermuhll.
The track was reopened around 2020-21 after sitting abandoned for years.

Since then, improvements have been made gradually, including a new jump last year and the sprinkler system this year.

Interest behind the scenes has grown as well.
Vondermuhll says the association has about a dozen directors this year, compared with the four or five it usually had in the past.
Heading into 2027, the association hopes its riders continue climbing through their classes and bringing trophies back to Slave Lake.
Vondermuhll is also hoping for something the association did not get enough of this year – cooperative weather.

“I hope we are able to have a ride school and a race next year,” he says. “Hopefully the weather will be a little more cooperative.”

Julia Magsombol
Lakeside Leader