OPP Trackdays Instructors & Control Riders have been chosen not just because they are amazing motorcycle riders, but also because of their coaching capabilities, friendly & approachable demeanour, lack of ego and their firm belief that all motorcycle riders can never stop learning. OPP Trackdays Staff are a great mix of top motorcycle racers, experienced trackday riders and people in the motorcycle industry.
Patrik Paletar
Event Coordinator/Instructor/Control Rider
Corportate Member #007 and Member # 69 … its true!
Neither James Bond nor Nicky Hayden, but Patrik is the owner/operator of OPP Racing and is the founder of OPP Trackdays. He has been in the motorcycle parts distribution business since 1998. He has been riding motorcycles since 1985 and started racing in 1998. Patrik has raced in AMA and Formula USA in the late 1990s and early 2000s with best finishes in the top 10 and qualifying on the front row. His passion for racing led him to open up a motorcycle hard parts specialty distribution business known as OPP Racing. He stopped racing in 2003 to focus on his business and has been trackday riding occasionally when time allowed. Patrik is very much a motorcycle enthusiast, especially when it comes to aftermarket parts.
OPP Racing has a solid footprint within the motorcycle industry with locations in Port Coquitlam, BC and Washington, WA that ships parts worldwide. OPP Racing distributes premium brands such as Lightech, FullSix Carbon Parts, Brembo Brakes, Samco Water Hoses, BST Wheels and more. Patrik’s passion for motorsports runs deep not only for motorcycles but cars, boats and anything motorized. He is an avid motorcycle collector with many of his motorcycles being extensively modified and as a custom superbike builder he builds and provides parts for hundreds of motorcycles around the world. Patrik believes that with great enthusiasm, passion and a bit of luck his business has evolved to start the OPP Trackdays company at the world class Area 27.
Anthony Basic
Chief Coach
Area 27 Member
Anthony, an Area 27 Member, has always had an interest in motor sports and speed which grew to a passion in his early twenties when he purchased his first motorcycle. He began racing and quickly advanced to the front of the pack in 2007 of his Novice year.
Westwood Motorcycling Racing Club (WMRC) moved Anthony to the Amateur class in 2008. In 2009 Anthony won the Western Canadian Championship 600cc class. Anthony continues to race each year with WMRC placing consistently in the top 10 until his new purchase in 2017 of a Honda CBR 1000RR SP helping him to finish 3rdfor the season in Open Super Sport.
Anthony is a people person and loves to learn and share his knowledge about the sport he loves so much.
Francois Sauve
Instructor/Control Rider
Area 27 Member
Francois is a bit of a late bloomer with the motorcycle world, he started riding motorcycles at age 47. He also claims to be the wimpiest dirt rider in the world…
His first passion for teaching began it the late seventies, working as a ski instructor. The love of skiing took him to the inevitable path out West. He set foot at Whistler Blackcomb, where he spent 30 years teaching, coaching and supervising.
Francois became a member of Area 27 in 2020 and moved to the Okanagan soon after along with his wife Julie, his daughter, son in law and 2 grandaughters and is now entering his 6th season as a part time coach.
Steve Dick
Instructor / Control Rider
Area 27 Member
Steve is a member at Area 27 and started riding motorcycles in 1969. Started trackday riding and racing in 1976 at the Westwood Racing Circuit. Steve started instructing in 1978 with the Alberta Roadracing Club and has been instructing at WMRC schools since 1983. Steve has has raced extensively in the Canadian Superbike series and has won several WMRC class championships and is the 2002 and 2004 WMRC Champion. Steve also holds a Canadian National title, He is fast, safe and currently rides a Kawasaki ZX6R 2005. He also raced in the US and in South Africa at various regional & national events.
Jason Lotoski
Track Support/Control Rider
Jason started riding and racing dirt bikes in 2005, and began riding sport bikes in 2014. Jason has been riding at Area 27 since it opened in 2016, and has been a Control Rider and helped OPP Racing organize events since then. He founded a local motorcycle club in 2014 called Sport Bike West. It began as a meetup group for motorcycle enthusiasts in BC to ride together and talk shop. Sport Bike West began hosting large sport bike shows in BC and even launched a successful clothing line.Jason is also the CEO and founder of Tonit.
Tonit was founded in 2016, and the Tonit motorcycle community app had its full launch in late 2018. Tonit helps riders connect with other riders, share bike-related content, map and track riding experiences, and stay safer on the road. It has successfully grown its community very quickly and has an incredible group of engaged, active motorcycle enthusiasts.
“We’re not just a motorcycle app for riders to connect on, but a company that lives for the thrill of the ride. We are riders helping riders, building a community to make the most out of our motorcycle lifestyle. There is passion put into every aspect of the product to connect with the passion of every user.”
Ryan Wiebe
Instructor/Control Rider
Ryan has done a great job at OppTrackdays , he is very patient and is able to cleary explain himself to the student with exactly what is necessary to improve their skills . We are happy to have him on board . Ryan started riding at 4 years old, dirt bikes and streets bikes my whole life, raced offroad enduro’s, flattracking, roadracing with a novice championship, and 16 consecutive years on roadrace tracks. He loves helping newer riders and watching them get more confident throughout the day. Ryan is the owner of Redline Cycle and is currently teaching and control riding for OPP Track Days and Motofit Group, at Area27, The Ridge, and Oregon Raceway.
Scott Hope
Instructor/Control Rider
Area 27 Member
Scott grew up riding motorcycles, first in the dirt and then later in life was summoned to the asphalt. A mechanic at heart, Scott enjoys wrenching on and building bikes almost as much as riding. Never a racer but a pure track day junkie, he’s frequently lapped several race tracks including Miller, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Spring Mountain (Pahrump), Auto Club Speedway, Sonoma, Laguna, Oregon Raceway Park, Pacific Raceways, Portland International Speedway, Willow Springs, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, The Ridge, and Thunderhill (East & West)… Scott now dedicates his spare time to honing his own riding skills at Area 27, and now with OPP Trackdays, assisting other riders to “find their way around” this world class road course. If you are new to Area 27 look him up, he’s happy to help!
Nevada Cosby
Instructor/Control Rider
Area 27 Member
Nevada is a member at Area 27 and has always had a passion for motorcycles and the speed that seem to go hand in hand. She was given the opportunity to try road racing by a family member in my mid 20’s and it was an opportunity she has never looked back from. It took a few years but the drive and passion eventually allowed her to compete in the top ten and once in a while a top five. She won the Women’s Cup with the WMRC in Mission in 2013 and obtained her expert status 2015. The learning curve was steep and at times painful but worth it every time She was able to twist the throttle and lay some rubber down. Currently she has stepped back from racing and focused mainly on trackday riding and helping others who want to gain skills and safety in their riding. Nevada is very good rider and definately holds her own on and off the track. Her smile, fun attitude and patience is a big assest to OppTrackdays she will give you great advice and show you all the correct entry and exit points on track. Don`t let her small frame fool you , this lady means business on track. Come and say hello , she is very friendly and will glady answer any questions you have.
Richard Maurice
Instructor/Control Rider
Area 27 Member
Come and say hello , Richard is a super nice guy , a member at Area 27 , so he knows his way around the track. Richard is planning to race in 2020 when Canadian Superbike has a round at Area 27. Richard was a Western Canadian champion in Expert 600 Supersport class in 2011, 2012, 2013. Also WHRC Expert 600 and Formula 40 champion. In 2006 Richard finished in the Top 15 at the Canadain Nationals and also finished in 2nd & 3rd in all classes at all 3 tracks (WMRC, EMRA and CMRA)
Austin Martin
Instructor/Control Rider
Area 27 Member
Ross Trythall
Instructor/Control Rider
![_MG_7291_zpsa61f0b63[1]](https://www.opptrackdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MG_7291_zpsa61f0b631-450x300.jpg)
John Palmer
Area 27 Member # 270
Age 50, plus a whole lot of fingers and toes, so I’ve quit counting.
1st Motor bike, Keystone 50 mini bike
Rob Svendsen
Area 27 Member #166
Brad Harder
Control Rider / Instructor
A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, I began riding dirt bikes on trails at the age of 8, progressing into enduro and motocross. In my early twenties, I earned my street license and have since enjoyed riding both on and off-road. I discovered track riding in 2021 and quickly became passionate about honing my skills, attending the Ken Hill Motorcycle Masterclass in 2022. I have been dedicated to improving my riding and enjoy helping newer riders on the street, dirt, and at trackdays. Based in the Okanagan, I’m actively involved in the local motorcycle community and proudly volunteer with The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. When I’m not on 2 wheels I enjoy spending time with my family, kayaking and skiing. My current lineup includes a Triumph Daytona 765 Moto2, Ducati Panigale V4S, Indian FTR 1200S, Husqvarna FE350S, and Kawasaki KX250F.
Jon Bullee
Instructor / Control Rider
Started riding track days in 2006
Started racing 2009
Became Expert racer in 2011
Raced as an Expert/Pro with EMRA, WMRC, CVMA, UtahSBA, WMRRA, CSBK
Have won on Expert 600 Superbike, Expert 600 Supersport, Senior Open, titles.
Have been to over 15 different tracks across north America.
Outside of racing I manage Stratotech Park Raceway, Managing Director for the YEG Motorcycle Show, President of the EMRA for 8 years, owner of Motorheads Track Attacks in Alberta.
Todd Smart
Control Rider
Todd started racing dirt bikes in 1991 on a Kawasaki KX80 and hasn’t looked back since. In fact if it has two wheels and handlebars Todd has probably raced it at a high level from motocross to road racing he has logged A LOT of laps. Having held licences as a Pro in AMA Supermoto, CMRC Motocross and SCORE Off-Road Todd has been involved in multiple racing communities most recently with the EMRA based out of Edmonton.
After moving to Kamloops and riding (and falling in love with) Area 27 Todd hopes to bring his riding experience to riders looking to improve their skills within the safe confines of the track. After years of coaching off-road racing he looks to bring tips that helped him win races over the years on the pavement with other riders!
When he’s not out riding you can find him running the Banner Recreation store in Kamloops.
Marissa Baecker
Photographer
A little about me: I am an award winning sports photographer with 30 years experience, including photographing MotoGP. I am an accredited member of the Professional Photographers of Canada. Just this past month, one of my photos I entered in competition was selected as the best in Press class. My photographic work can be viewed and purchased at www.shootthebreeze.ca . I am also a moto / auto journalist since 2010. I ride, review and write about bikes, cars, people etc. My journalistic work can be found at www.motobaecker.com .
I do ride – anything with wheels (including the Polaris Ranger I brought to the track last time lol). My last personal ride was a Ninja 1000 which I just sold this past summer. I have my eye on the Triumph 765 Moto2 for next season. It’s tough to decide as it is a total track bike and I tend to photograph at the tracks rather than ride.
Anett Meszaros
Photographer
My name is Anett Meszaros and I officially opened my photography business in 2016. As a sporty individual I started taking photos of sports from moto to MMA and became well known for that part of the profession. I got requests for other niches from drone to weddings so I became advanced UAV certified and said yes to every opportunity. Today, I am well known for sports footage but have albums catering to many areas of the photography and videography world.
Website: Anett Meszaros