by: Jared Bolton
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 | 2:25 PM
Brooke Cosner has worked her way through the ultra-competitive WXC class to establish herself as a true championship contender. After an excellent 2014 season, Cosner returns to the WXC class in 2015 once again backed by KR4. We caught up with Brooke to talk about her plans for 2015 and more.
GNCCRacing.com: How's it going today?
Brooke Cosner: Everything is going wonderful today! Just trying to get through this negative degree weather and get those last few kinks worked out before Florida rolls up.
How's your winter been?
Well, winters been alright so far, going by pretty slow waiting for the GNCC series to start back up. In Maryland we've just been getting below freezing temperatures and tons of snow. I've just been snowboarding and hitting up the gym mostly. I actually got the chance to head south to the HRD Complex recently with the KR4 crew and get some seat time in on the new Husky for the first time since The Ironman. That was pretty great!
So you're back with the KR4 folks for 2015, how’s that going so far?
Getting the chance to be back with the KR4 crew this year is outstanding. Everything is going awesome. We have awesome new sponsors on board this year and a couple new teammates as well that I'm excited to work with. Last weekend we all got to ride and test our new bikes and get them dialed in for the first round of GNCC in Florida.
What's it like having the support of the KR4 folks behind you?
Having KR4 supporting me is unbelievable. It’s a dream come true for a young girl like me. Not only is it KR4 with Frank and Krissy Keegan but I also have F.A.R. with Fred and Amy Andrews standing behind me, Rocky Mountain this year as a new sponsor, my wonderful mechanics and the support of all my teammates and sponsors. Everyone truly looks out for one another on the team.
You had a pretty stellar 2014 season as well. Tell us how it went.
2014 was a true learning experience for me. I started out the beginning of the season with an average of top 5 finishes with just the support of my dad. When KR4 picked me up right before Masontown, I was able to pick up my speed with a new bike and managed to get my first podium at Snowshoe with 2nd place. Once I did that I then knew what it took to finish on the podium. Over the summer break I got the chance to race the National Enduros and work on picking up more speed which led to my second podium at Mountain Ridge with a 3rd place and my determination was at all high. The next race at Powerline Park I got my first win in the WXC class. I finally understood what it really took to be in the middle of the box. I ended up 3rd for the year in the overall points and couldn't be happier.
What was the biggest highlight for 2014 for you?
The biggest highlight of my 2014 season was my first win at Powerline Park. I’ve been dreaming of my first win since I started racing in 2011. Reaching that goal in those few years of racing was unexplainable. I didn't think was going to happen so soon. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of my team either.
How do you feel coming into the 2015 season?
Coming into the 2015 season I feel stronger than ever. Since I haven't got to ride all winter I was feeling behind seeing everyone getting to take trips down south and ride. But since I got to ride last weekend and see where I was with my fitness, I’m more than ready for the season start.
What are your goals for 2015?
My goals for the 2015 season are to just stay healthy and be consistent with podium finishes and finish better in the points than I did last year. I'd like to race more of the Endurocross series as well, try to get a podium there and gain some more sponsors throughout the season.
What about beyond 2015? What do you hope to accomplish in the coming years?
In the future I hope to accomplish some of my biggest dreams. I’d like a few championships in the GNCC series, become a factory rider for one of the major teams in the off-road world and try to break records and set some of my own.
What’s it going to take to make that happen?
The only thing that’s going to make my dreams come true is hard work and determination. Reaching and setting new goals to make myself better are key.
Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
First off, I would like to thank Frank Keegan for giving me the chance to be on the KR4 Performance team, Krissy Keegan, F.A.R., Fred and Amy Andrews, Rocky Mountain, Maxxis Tires, Fly Racing, Amsoil, Stickman Graphx, Husqvarna, DP Brakes, Sunstar, TM Design Works, Keegan Wireless, Enduro Engineering, Pro Circuit, Hinson clutch components, TAW, WRP, IMS, 100%, CV4, Gaerne, Pro X Racing Parts, my mechanics Eric, Mikey and Aaron, Brian Keegan, my teammates, my sister and most importantly I want to thank my mom and dad for giving up everything in their lives to let me live and pursue my dream of racing. I couldn't do it without any of these guys! Thanks!