How I got started

I grew up in La Mesa, CA where I attended school with a few local & national riders. A few Classmates of mine were Doug Davis, Shane Wimberly, Rob Severins. I had to wait until 1983 to compete, due to surgeries on each of my feet (in `81 & `82). I competed in my first National at the 1983 Del Mar Fair National. I raced consistently through 1985, then finished high school and started a "real" life (job, car, all of those distractions). I started again in 1990 and ended up getting my first sponsorship-Speedway Bike Shop/Kastan (Co-Factory Kastan team). I started racing MTB in 1998 (just after my son was born). I have raced in the CA State series, Sea Otter in 2000 (DS & DH) and the Norba National at Big Bear (RIP) in 2002, where I qualified 5th in my first National.

Goals for the Future

I plan on racing the NBL Western regionals and Nationals, as well as some ABA Nationals, and racing at the CA ABA State, Redline Cup and local races. I also plan on racing at the Sea Otter Classic and some California State Races (MTB)

What inspires you to compete?

My parents both raced stock cars in the late `60`s-early `70`s, and being my fathers son, I felt the need to compete on my bike, as I had been riding and doing jumps, etc. ever since I learned to ride a bike. I also idolized Evel Knievel when I was a child (go figure!)

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Probably crashing in my first National Main Event, right in front of one of my childhood BMX heroes-Mike Miranda. We had talked at the races many times by then, and he was at the gate when my main came up, so he wished me luck. I was about 22 years old, but I felt like that little kid when he came up and said good luck. I crashed going down the first straight at Coal Canyon because I wouldn`t give up the room to the guy on my inside, and we both tangled and crashed. I wasn`t injured, but man, was I ever embarrased.

Some Personal Information About Me:

I am a single father (my son lives with his mother). I am the Quality Assurance Manager for a Structural Steel company. I am a Certified Welding Inspector.

Do you train? What does your schedule look like?

Yes, I do train. I had two injuries this season-Broken Big Toe in `Vegas, then a torn Gastrocnemus (calf) muscle in the Main on Sunday at Prunedale. Since the P-Dale injury, I have hired a personal trainer (Who trains many world class athletes, including some former world & Pro Champions, both BMX & MTB). I am looking to come back to racing in early October. I train twice a day, 7 days a week on my MTB, either on a spin trainer or doing outdoor rides on my GT I-Drive. I am hoping to be on the BMX track soon. I also ride at Meadows Land (a track in my friends backyard.).

Why do you compete?

I compete because I enjoy it. I also enjoy the family-like friendships that I have made over the years of racing. When I went down in Prunedale (no Crash, just the muscle tearing), there were 6 other guys in my race. I can recall at least 5 of them coming out to see what happened, as well as a few friends who were there. Some of the competitors I had just met that weekend, or only once before. Some of them helped carry me off of the track, as well. Now if that doesn`t show what kind of good people there are left in the world, especially in the world of competitive sports, I don`t know what does. I have many friends from around the country that I have met through competing, for that I feel I`m truly blessed.

I won the 1991 State Championship Finals (19 + Inter) from Gate 8 at Orange (without jumping anything, straight leg power!), that win boosted me to 2nd in state rankings (So Cal). I made my first Pro National Main Event in 1997 at Coal Canyon, in only my second race in Vet Pro, and on a bike I hadn`t ridden until the day before (thus leading to my ranking of 21 for the next season). I had been racing in Pro Cruiser (`95) and A Pro (`96 & most of `97). It was a double treat for me, as I got to line up on the gate with another childhood BMX "hero" of mine, who had become a friend of mine when he lived in San Diego-Eric "Big Daddy" Rupe. It was so cool to have him say that it was good to see me on that gate. That was cool, even though I had run with him in practice many times, it was cool to be in a main with him. Thanks Eric!