Seven years ago Mike Brown raced into the final round of the 2001 AMA Outdoor Nationals locked into a battle for the 125cc national championship. He remembers that nervous afternoon like it was yesterday, and as he finished walking the 12-mile course this morning at the ITP Power Line GNCC in St. Clairsville, Ohio, the butterflies are back. Brown has entered into the waning moments of his racing career and made the transition from Supercross and Outdoor Motocross to the growing and hotly competitive Can-Am GNCC off road series events. He is riding a factory KTM and has the support of teammates like Nathan Kanney who know how to win. With 2008 Can-Am GNCC Champion David Knight taking the weekend off for an overseas beach race, the door has swung wide open for the XC1 win here in Ohio. Brown might be the man who puts his foot in the door. We sat down with Mike two hours before he embarks on a grueling three-hour dash to the checkered flag.

 

So, when did you start thinking about racing off-road?

 

I’ve always wanted to race these. I did one about 15 years ago at Aonia Pass and had a really good time. I’m really looking forward to it today.

 

You just returned from walking the course with your teammates. You’ve been walking motocross tracks your whole life, but that is a 12-mile trail of fire roads and tree trails. How does that compare and what did you learn?

 

We walked about six miles of the course. We made sure to walk the first part, because if I can get a decent start and get through the first part of the course quickly that will help me out a lot. I looked for some spots where I didn’t have to follow through the high-speed sections so I can make some passes before we get single file in the trees. The course is pretty cool; we go through a creek bed some good stuff. I don’t really know what to look for really. [laughs] I just want to get a good start and get with the good guys at the beginning and try to follow them. I’m not going to go for the win on the first lap, that's for sure. I think in this sport, finding the good lines and being consistent is what it takes.

 

Yeah, but being consistent for three hours isn’t something you're used to.

 

That's a lot of time to do whatever for sure! My teammates have been a lot of help. Kurt Caselli worked with me a lot in the WORCS stuff and Nathan (Kanney) has helped me along a lot here at the GNCC. That's what's different and pretty cool about off-road. In motocross, nobody will tell you about a good line, but these guys seem to want to show you everything. I guess, in a three-hour race on a 12-mile course, it will only help you so much, you know? These [riders] are so laid back. It’s enjoyable to just take off with the guys and walk the course in the woods.

 

Why did you decide to ride a 450 four-stroke?

 

Well, the team manager helped me make that decision [laughs]. Actually, that’s all I have right now and that is what my practice bike is so it’s all good. I’m going to try to ride a two-stroke at the next Endurocross. The 450 should be pretty good here today. It might wear me down a little more than a two-stroke would at the end of the three hours, but it should be OK.

 

With David Knight sitting this one out, there is a lot of hype in this race today. A lot of guys want to win. What do you think your chances are here?

 

Shoot, I don’t know, really. I’d like to get a top five, I suppose. A win would be better, but I don’t even really know what to expect. It would be cool to be up there on that big podium, but a top five would be something to be proud of I think.

 

Well, this particular event typically draws a strong crowd. It’s a far cry from an Outdoor National like you’re familiar with, but these fans get into it. What do you think about the atmosphere here today?

 

I was cruising around on my mountain bike yesterday and I couldn’t believe how many four-wheelers were racing and how many fans there were. I’m looking forward to seeing fans out there in the trails in the woods. I think that will make it fun and keep me wanting to push more when the pack gets strung out. It’s better than I thought it would be, for sure. It’s cool.

 

Are you nervous?

 

A little bit, yes! I’m just ready to get rolling and I think once I get out there I’ll settle down. I’m one of the only guys with an electric starter and I’m not sure that is going to help me much out there, but we’ll see. I’m just ready to race, man.

 

Well, go out there and grab one of those holeshots like you did at the outdoor nationals in the summer of 2001 and who knows, you just might win this thing! Good luck, Mike.