Interview:
Joe Byrd - Honda Factory ATV Motocros Racer
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| #7
Joe Byrd - Ten Quick Facts |
| Birth
Date: |
11/27/1972 |
| Weight: |
205lbs |
| Hometown: |
Union City, TN |
| ATV: |
Honda TRX450R |
| Occupation: |
Factory Pro Racer |
| 1st ATC/ATV: |
Honda ATC110 |
| Started
Racing: |
14 Years Old |
| Favorite
Food: |
Pasta |
| Favorite
Drink: |
Gatorade |
| Website: |
joebryd.com |
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Less
than two weeks ago at Loretta Lynn’s
Dirt Days, Honda’s Joe Byrd wrapped
up his second consecutive Pro ATV Motocross
Championship, and secured the first ever AMA
Pro ATV Motocross National Championship. New
for 2007, AMA Pro Racing sanctioned ATV Motocross,
and Joe Byrd will join the rest of the AMA
National Champions in Las Vegas, NV to be
awarded his #1 Plate. There
has been many changes taking place in 2007,
but one thing remained unchanged…Honda
factory racer Joe Byrd is still a champion.
We
recently had the opportunity to speak with
Joe about his winning season, the series finale
at Loretta Lynn’s, and some of the changes
that are taking place in the ATV racing industry.
ATVriders:
Congratulations on your winning season, Joe.
How does it feel to be the first AMA ATV Pro
Racing Champion?
Thanks! It feels really good, it’s awesome!
It’s an honor to be the first AMA ATV
Champion. It’s going to be fun going
to Vegas with all the supercross and motocross
stars.
What
went through your mind when your head pipe
fell off in the first Moto while Jeremy Lawson
was working his way to the front of the pack?
I thought “Oh crap!”. That was
basically it. (Laughing)
Where
did you get that extra boost of energy in
the 2nd moto to close the gap on Chad Wienen
at the end of the race?
Chad had about a 10 second lead on me. There
were a lot of fans there and that kind of
makes you give it your all when they are cheering
you on.
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Joe
Byrd & Chad Wienen put on a great
show at both Sunset Ridge & Loretta
Lynn's with the pair swapping Overall
Wins after some intense racing, and
it would be great to see them racing
against each other weekend after weekend.
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Do
wish that more Kawasaki & Suzuki riders
competed on a regular basis in the AMA Series?
Yeah, only about half of them are racing the
series.
Why
have you solely focused on just the AMA Series?
There are several reasons; first, the tracks
are better. That’s why we do this, to
go have fun and ride some good tracks! Plus,
all of my sponsors want me to focus on the
AMA. It’s been here for 20 years and
it will be here for 20 more years.
How
well do you feel the AMA has done with all
the changes this year?
They’ve done a great job. The tracks
are better, the organization is better. They’ve
made everything really good this year.
What
stood out to you as the biggest improvement
this year?
The main thing is the tracks and the organization.
Plus we have a voice there now, someone there
speaking for us versus a bunch of riders just
going up there and saying what we want or
need. It’s a whole lot better having
someone there to represent us.
Do
you expect to see more Pros returning to the
AMA Series in 2008?
Yes, I do.
Do
you have any plans on ever competing at a
WPSA event?
Not at this time. Some of the races conflict
with the AMA schedule and my sponsors want
me to stay focused on the AMA races so I plan
on racing where my supporters want me to.
How
do you feel about the ATV Pro Open Invitational
at Steel City?
I think it’s great. It’s a big
step for our industry.
Do
you feel racing at the same track with the
bikes is the right direction for the ATV racing?
I think it will give quads more recognition
than ever and get more people involved in
the sport.
With
the season over, what does Joe Byrd do during
the off-season?
Right now I’m concentrating on nailing
down my sponsors for next season and I will
also be doing a few riding schools.
