That’s right! You raced some Supercross and Motocross! When was that?
Ahh…I don’t know. Maybe around 1999?

You came because you were successful at racing in Japan.
Yes. I won the motocross championship in Japan and then came to America to race. I did ok. 

Editor’s Note: Takeshi did more than ok! Taking a glance at the history books (http://vault.racerxonline.com/rider/takeshi-koikeda/races) shows that Takeshi raced MX and SX in America from 1997 to 2000. He raced the premiere 250 class and was the Top Privateer in 1998 with a class rank of 12. He beat out names like Jeremy McGrath, Josh Demuth, “Factory” Phil Lawrence and many more! His individual best finish ever was September 6, 1998 at Steel City where he finished an impressive 6^th place. 

What did you do after racing motocross over here?
I went back home to Japan and won 1 Enduro Championship and 4 Cross Country Championships on the JNCC Series (Japan National Cross Country Series).   

That’s very impressive! So then you came here to race GNCC?
Yes. In 2012 I moved to USA. I lived in North Carolina and started racing GNCC. My wife and daughter came with me.

I understand you became good friends with [former GNCC XC1 competitor] Jesse Robinson? Did you guys ride together much?
Yes. We raced the Mid East Series together a lot.

Editor’s Note: GNCCRacing.com called Jesse Robinson to “dig up some dirt” on Takeshi! We asked Jesse if he had any good crash stories to tell on Takeshi. Jesse said he crashed more than Takeshi did! Takeshi was a “very good & very smart rider.” Jesse had the opportunity to be the exchange racer that GNCC sent to the JNCC series. He and Jason Thomas went a few years ago and Jesse remembers racing wheel to wheel with Takeshi in his homeland. “That was pretty cool, even though he beat me that day!” Takeshi has beat a lot of riders here in America, too. He won the Mid-East Series Championship last year (2014). 

Being here in America has been tough. You are a privateer. You work on your own bikes and drive yourself to the races?
Yes. It has been very hard. But a lot of people have helped me along the way. My wife and daughter have gone home ahead of me, so I’m living at Buren [Hamrick’s] house right now. 

Editor’s Note: We talked to Buren. He said Takeshi can eat a lot of food! But that’s only because he works so hard. Buren explained that after every race, Takeshi brings his bike home, washes it, takes it to the garage and completely strips it down and rebuilds it. He is meticulous and detail oriented. He is as good a mechanic as he is a racer.

What made you want to come to the USA to race GNCC?
Oh! It’s amazing here! So many more big tracks. The best riders are here. The tracks are longer. Very technical. This is the best racing! 

Every year, GNCC sends a team to the JNCC. I was able to go last year and see for myself the difference. In Japan, so many people are very happy just to ride their dirt bikes. It seems here in America, we are very serious. Do you notice that, too?
Yes. But in America, it is very professional. It is good because the tracks are so good and [people] can do this for a living. 

How old are you, Takeshi? And when did you start riding?
I am 38. And I started riding when I was 4. My dad started me and taught me so I could be professional at it. I have done this all my life. This will be my last race as a professional. 

What are your plans for after this?
I will go back to Japan and help on the JNCC series. 

Editor’s Note: The JNCC Series is a “sister” series to GNCC. Every year, they send some racers to either Florida or Snowshoe to compete on the GNCC, and GNCC sends a rider and crew to JNCC to compete. Chris Bach is on his way there right now.