Interview: Joe Byrd - Honda Factory ATV Motocros Racer - Continued

What are the prices for you classes and where can someone find out more information?
The group sessions are $375 for two days. You can find all the schedules and prices on my web site. www.joebyrd.com.

Clay Holmes wrapped up the ProAm Championship as well, so do you plan on him moving up to the Pro Ranks for 2008?
Clay did really well this season and we are still discussing his moving to the Pro class. It’s a really big step moving up to Pro.

Joe Byrd Riding School's Clay Holmes Won the ProAm Championship & Adrienne Cooper finished 3rd in the Women's ProAm Class behind Heather Byrd

Are there any plans on expanding your Amateur Racing Team in 2008?
I’ve seen some really talented racers at my schools, but I won’t be adding anyone at this time. I have a really solid team right now. They are a good bunch of guys and I don’t want to take on too many people at once and not be able to dedicate myself 100% to them.

Have you decided on your racing plans for 2008?
Hopefully win! (Laughs) I plan to pretty much continue doing what I did this year…racing the AMA.

Joe Byrd did his part on the track, but he didn't do it alone. Byrd's new Mechanic Bill Micke(left) did his part and kept Byrd's Honda running nearly perfect all season, and Mickey was awarded the Mechanics Award at Sunset Ridge. Another key person to Joe Byrd's Championship & multiple Holeshots was his engine builder, DASA Racing's Dan Lamey. Byrd has been nearly untouchable out of the gate since Lamey joined Byrd's race program two years ago. Before Lamey started buidling engines for Byrd, he never earned a Pro Holeshot in over 10 years of racing.

How important is it to have an OEM like Honda behind your racing program?
It’s really important. Racing is so expensive, there is no way I could do this or be where I am today without their support.

Who are some of your other major sponsors?
You kind of caught me off guard with that one! I have about 20 sponsors. Besides Honda, there’s DASA Racing, IMS, Kenda, Axis, Pro Armor, Fly, Hardcore Engineering, Outerwears Racing, RPM, Tag Metals, Douglas Wheel Technology, Hinson Racing, Oxtar, Tom Miller Motorsports, Precision Racing Products, TokyoMods, Denton Racing, Uni Air Filters, Warrior Manufacturing, Walsh Racecraft, Tire Balls, PowerMadd, Scott, Streamline Breaks, Works Connection, Web Cam, and QuadSouth Films.

Joe Byrd's 2007 Honda TRX450R

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In five years I plan on being right where I am now, racing the AMA, putting on riding schools.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would just like to thank all of my sponsors for all of their support and helping me get to where I am and winning the championship. I couldn’t have done it without them.