So You Want To Be A Moto Cross Star, Part Ii

SO YOU WANT TO BE A MOTO CROSS STAR, PART II

RACEWATCH

Team Honda's David Bailey was asked what advice he'd give an eight-year-old with his eyes on a factory ride and a National Championship. This is what he said:

"At the age of eight there's other things to do. There's no rush to get into it. My dad didn't start racing until he was 13 and he accomplished quite a bit. A kid eight or 10 isn't really going to know what he wants to do, and it's easy to get burned out. There's kids nowadays at 10 who are mini world champions, they have a factory ride and a JT contract, and if they don't win they're going to get a spanking when they get home.

“If you’re sure it’s what you want to do, physical training isn’t that important. Riding as much as possible is the important thing at that age. The more riding you do the more familiar you get with a bike. Getting a bike that’s really fast isn’t that important either. Just one that’s jetted right and handles right is the answer. If you have the fastest bike you’re going to rely on horsepower and just go fast on the straightaways. You have to make time through the corners and over the jumps, that’s what makes you a better rider.

“I see kids who have ported cylinders and send away for a pipe. Sometimes their bike runs faster, and sometimes it runs worse and they have a lot of problems. The bikes nowadays are pretty good, they’ll run well stock.”

Tom Mueller/Cycle News East