Photos By: Harlen Foley
& Roy Bloodworth
Interview:
Pat Brown - Yamaha Factory ATV MX Racer
Less than five years ago, Pat Brown entered his
first ATV race at a local track, and it has forever
changed his life as he has been hooked ever since.
After a successful year of racing locally, he decided
to test his skills at the ATVA MX Nationals, and
after only one year of racing he already advanced
to the A Class.
In
2003, Pat Brown would waste no time making his presence
known by winning the 4 Stroke A Championship and
finishing runner-up to Dustin Wimmer in 265A Class.
His desire to win didn’t stop with his transition
to the Pro Am ranks because in 2004, Brown won both
the Pro Am Production and Pro Am 265 Championships
and made his debut in the pro Class at Daniel Boone
MX Park. In only his first Pro race he just missed
the podium with a fourth overall finish.
In only his rookie year as a Pro, Pat Brown was
consistently running up near the front, and he just
missed finishing out the year in the top ten overall
when snapped his axle at Loretta Lynn’s in
the first Moto after charging his way through the
pack and into third with only two laps to go. His
axle might have snapped, but it didn’t break
his spirit because he came back stronger than ever
in Moto two to finish in second place behind Joe
Byrd, which proved he has the speed to run out front.
With
a little luck, I don’t think it will be long
before we see Pat Brown on the Podium celebrating,
so here is your chance to find out about man behind
the #199.
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| #199
Pat Brown - Ten Quick Facts |
| Birth
Date: |
2/6/1985 |
| Weight: |
160lbs |
| Hometown: |
Pittstown, NJ |
| ATV: |
Yamaha YFZ450 |
| Occupation: |
Factory Pro Racer |
| 1st ATC/ATV: |
Honda ATC110 |
| Started Racing: |
16 Years Old |
| Hobbies: |
Wake Boarding |
| Favorite Drink: |
Ice Tea |
| Favorite Food: |
Sushi |
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ATVriders:
When did you first start riding ATVs?
Pat Brown: Actually, I started riding on Honda ATC 110
when I was four years old, which was Christmas present
for my brothers the year I was born in 1985.
When did you get your first
ATV?
My first ATV was a 1992 Kawasaki Mojave.
Obviously you have been riding
from a young age, so when did you finally start racing?
My first race was in 2001 at Sleepy Hollow MX Park
in Pennsylvania on a bone stock Yamaha Raptor. I raced
in the 4 Stroke B Class, and I finished out the day
with a 4th place finish and was hooked. I went on
to race the rest of the season and won my first race
before the end of the year.
After your first year of racing
locally on the Yamaha Raptor, what did you do in 2002?
I decided to try racing at the Nationals in the B
Class on a Honda 400EX, and half way through the season
I made the switch to A Class. I also built a Hybrid
YZF426 Yamaha that I raced at Loretta Lynn’s
and again in 2003.
What made you decide to move
to A class mid season?
I was running toward the front locally, so I decided
to move up to A class. I also moved up to A class
at the Nationals because I didn’t want to break
any rules by racing in a lower class at the Nationals
than locally. Also, I figured I could use the experience.
How was the transition from
B to A Class?
It actually went well, which surprised me because
I didn’t expect to still be running out near
the front in the A Class.
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| Pat
Brown won Championship in both the Pro Am Production
and 265 in 2004 on a Lost Creek Cycles YFZ450 |
For
2003 and 2004 you were pretty much unstoppable winning
several class championships and turning Pro at the end
of the 2004 season. You finished out your first season
as a Pro in 11th place, and I recently heard you are
now a Factory Yamaha Rider, which is incredible considering
your not even 21 years old yet, so tell me how your
Yamaha Factory ride developed?
Yamaha supported me a little bit last year, and they
believe in my talent and determination to win, and over
the past year we have developed a good relationship,
which has now developed into a Yamaha Factory deal for
2006.
Any other big changes to your
race program for 2006?
Yes, I am making the switch from K&K Racing to
Golden West because they laid out a good program for
me. I didn’t leave on bad terms with Shawn at
K&K or anything like that; Golden West just fits
in better with my whole program for this year. Also,
I am back on Laeger components, which is what I won
all of my Championships on in the past, and I am also
going to be running Ohlins, which I am really excited
about. Obviously, I am going to be running GYTR Exhaust
and Aluminum Accessories, which goes hand and hand
with Yamaha.
How are the Ohlins shocks
working for you?
The shocks are awesome. They are light weight and
they have some high end technology built into them
with their PDS valving, which works incredible because
they don't heat up or fade during the race. Also,
I am testing some new super light weight shocks with
titanium springs, and it is amazing how light they
are compared to other shocks on the market.
What companies are sponsoring
you for 2006?
Yamaha, GYTR, Yamahalube, Golden West Cycle, Laeger,
Ohlins,ITP, PowerMadd, Tag, Axcalibar, Streamline,
Douglas Wheel, Fly, QuadTech, Doneslon Cycle
Since you are now riding for
Golden West Cycle will Tony Kellner still be your
mechanic in 2006?
No, my mechanic will be Jeff VanDuyne. He and I use
to race together locally, but he cut his fingers off
in an accident, but they are back on now, which was
an important qualification (laughing). Seriously,
he has plenty of experience wrenching on ATVs, and
he will be traveling with me to all the Nationals.
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Pat
Brown spent an extensive amount of time out
in California at Glen Helen in preparation for
the 2006 season to dial in his new 2006 Yamaha
YFZ450 |
I seen you were practicing
at Glen Helen on a 2006 Golden West Yamaha YFZ450,
so how does it compare to your 2005 Yamaha?
It is really close to what I have been running, and
I have the Ohlins shocks working awesome.
What have you been doing in
the off season?
I really haven’t spent that much time off the
bike, you saw me out at the Ironman GNCC and I have
since raced two harescrambles and went to California
a few times to practice. I also went to France to
race the Pont De Vaux and a Supercross race.
What
do you think of racing in the GNCC Series?
I really enjoy it because in these types of races
you get to spend some much time on the bike. You really
don’t have to worry about working on the bike
because it either stays together or it doesn’t
and you are done, so I may race a GNCC event again
this year.
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| The
first weekend of January, Pat got his first
chance to throw his leg over a Yamaha Banshee
and roost some sand with Kory Ellis and the
media |
Pat
has rode some impressive Motos in the Pro Class
since loretta's, but he just hasn't had any
luck with numerous simple failures, which has
kept him off the Podium |
You
have had a rough start to the year with back to back
races with mechanical issues.
Yes, I have been struggling just with some bad luck.
At Glen Helen, I had a rock come up and break a wire
on my wiring harness, and at Oak Hill, I just ran
into more mechanical issues.
If
it weren’t for your bad luck, where do you think
you would be in the points standings right now?
I would probably in top five(laughing) because I was
running in fifth at Glen Helen in both Motos, and
if I would have won the second Moto at Oak Hill, I
would have finished third overall.
With
any luck, how much longer will we have to wait to
see you on the Podium?
I think next weekend (Gatorback).
I
can definitely say you are confident in your ability,
and I wish you some better luck at the Gatorback,
and if your prediction is right, I will be interviewing
you at the Press Conference afterwards and thanks
for your time.
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