How I got started

My parents both were riders. When I was four years old they started me on a Honda Z50. My family took riding vacations where we all rode togather. I rode the wheels off of the little Honda and then moved on to a Yamaha YZ60. When I turned 8 years old my family bought a Honda ATC70 three wheeler that I couldn`t stay off of. I started racing 80cc motocross bikes when I was 10 years old and raced the same ATC70 during the same time period. I moved up to a Honda CR125 and then a CR250 while keeping an ATV around for play riding. I didn`t race while I was in high school and college. I tried to get back into it when I turned 22, but my body and brain said no way. I started back play riding my ATVs more and more after I got married at age 23. I started racing cross country on Atvs when we moved from Iowa to Missouri at age 26.

Goals for the Future

I will be moving to the Vet B class in the Missouri series trying to win another season championship.
For 2006 I tried one OMA national race and won the B class at the Moonshine 100. It was a great race and appeared to be a very well run series that races all over the midwest with much media coverage that will be great for my sponsors and myself. I will be racing that series(OMA national series) for 2007 along with the Missouri Harescrambles championship series. For winter 2006-2007 I will try to stay in shape by hitting a few of the Hillbilly GranPrix cross country races that are across southern Missouri. I will also be racing as many GNCC races for 2007 as I can afford to travel to. This will be great exposure for my sponsors and myself.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Westphaila Hillbilly race November 5th- 2005. I was feeling very good during practice, quad was running well. At the start of the first moto I tangled with another racer tipped onto 2 wheels and almost fell off the front of the quad. While everyone was passing me I somehow got one leg stuck between the right a arm and front bumper. Everyone was nervous that I broke my leg and came running to help. I was fine except that I couldn`t pull my leg out. The spectators had to lift me off the quad and in the process I ripped the wires out of the ignition. By the time I got started I was a lap down. I struggled to finish the race. At the start of the 2nd race I thought that I would take it easy. When all of a sudden I pulled a big wheelie and hit a few riders sideways. Not only did I fall off but 5 other riders did also. Needless to say that was the worst racing I have been involved in.

Why do you compete?

I love going to the races almost as much as racing. I can`t wait to see the guys that I only see at the races. I love talking about new products and parts for the machines we ride. Then there is the mental fight that I have with my body and try to push it beyond the normal day to day limits. There is nothing more satisfying than fighting to get past a fast guy in the woods. With cross country racing we get to ride a varied terrain that I cannot normally ride on my property. I cannot push myself when out play riding anywhere near how hard I can be pushed in a race by other racers. And racing is just plain fun and exciting!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I am a Liscensed Plumber/Pipefitter Foreman working for a great Mechanical Contractor now; but when I grow up I want to run a bike shop. It has been my dream since I was 10 years old. I will run a bike shop in my lifetime, it may have to wait until I retire though. I want to do something that will help to promote our sport and help new riders enter our playland that is riding and racing. When I decide that I cannot go on racing I want to try promoting races.

2005 Missouri Harescrambles Championship Series 4 stroke stock 2nd place season overall.
2006 Missouri Harescrambles Championship series 4 stroke stock 1st place season overall.