Blake Kramer is yet another of the numerous front runners of the XC2 ProAm class. With multiple top 5’s and a podium under his belt thus far in 2012, Blake has had an impressive season. We caught up with Blake to hear about 2012 and more.

GNCCRacing.com: How's it going today?
Blake Kramer: It's going good. I'm just trying to recover from a non-ATV related incident with ten staples in the back of my head. It should be about a week and then I'll be back riding again. 

Wow! Sounds crazy! So how did you get started in the off-road world?
When I was three my dad started me on four wheelers and motorcycles and I was hooked. I started racing ATVs at local hare scramble races when I was twelve on a Suzuki LT80. At the local races I met and became friends with Chris Borich. He lives close by to me and we ride together a lot. It helps motivate both of us to have someone to ride with and push each other. He helps me out a lot, whether it’s helping to set my bike up or helping me work on it. By 2004 I was racing all of the GNCC races on a Honda 250R in the Two-Stroke C class. After that I moved onto a Honda 450R and came up through the Open-B and A classes. By 2008 I was racing in the XC2 class at the age of nineteen. 

What has been the biggest accomplishment of your racing career?
The 2012 Mountaineer Run was my best career finish ever with third in class and fourteenth overall. I felt great the whole race and the track conditions were really in my favor. It was rocky and slick which is exactly what I'm used to riding here in Pennsylvania. It was hot but the heat doesn't bother me because I work outside every day. I had a great start and ran top five most of the race. I worked my way up to second but stalled the bike. I got caught up behind a lapper and wasn't able to make the pass again. I was happy with third place though and really want to make it on the podium again soon. 



How has your 2012 season been going?
My season has been consistent with top ten’s in XC2 and a handful of top twenties overall. I had one DNF in Kentucky after an injury that week but made up for that and got my confidence back with the podium finish in West Virginia. 

How did the podium finish at The Mountaineer Run feel?
It felt great. I put in so much time, money and hard work and it was awesome to feel it all pay off. It was a great confidence booster and felt great knowing my friends and family were proud of me. Now that I got a taste of what it's like I'm definitely hungry for another podium finish. 

What will it take to land on the podium again?
It takes a good start and to ride smart throughout the race. The little mistakes can't happen so when other riders make them you have to be ready to capitalize on the opportunity. A good training schedule along with eating right and staying hydrated makes a huge difference in being able to ride your best. Maintenance is important because you need to have confidence in your bike and know that it won't fail on you. Being on the podium is a great feeling and I'm going to work hard and make sure I get up there again. 

Do you feel like you can make that happen in the final four rounds?
Yeah, each race since then has been close. At Snowshoe I started way in the back but I worked my way up to seventh. I crashed and got stuck on the last lap and wasn't able to get any further ahead. In Ohio it was over a hundred degrees but I was running fourth and twelfth overall. On the last lap I tagged a tree and the bike wouldn't start. By the time I got going again, I was back to seventh and seventeenth overall. These little mistakes have held me back from getting on the podium. I'm going to be working hard during the break to make sure I can be at my best for the final four rounds.

How do the final four suit you?
Good. I've always had a strong end to the season. Unadilla is one of my favorite tracks. The track is rough and is a lot like what I'm used to riding at home. Power Line Park has been there forever and the track is consistent every year. It's more like a traditional GNCC race with a wide open track and a lot of hills. These last four races are my kind of tracks and the confidence I bring into them is going to help get me up on the podium again. 

What do you hope to accomplish for the rest of 2012?
For the last four rounds I'd like to get up on the podium and have a strong finish to the season. I'd like to get a top twenty overall number and be top five in XC2. 

Do you have any plans for 2013 yet?
My plans for 2013 include putting together a more affordable program. Racing is expensive so by gaining new sponsors I hope to help offset the costs so I can spend more time riding and racing.



What are your goals for the future?
My goals include moving up to XC1 and have a great program that allows me to race and ride full time.

What is it like racing the XC2 ProAm class?
The XC2 class is huge so it's important to get a good start at each event. The XC2 class is stacked with good riders and they all want to be up on the podium. Everyone is motivated and focused so you really have to want it to finish in the front. 

Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
I'd like to thank Chris Borich, my dad, my girlfriend, Johnny Gallagher, Waynesburg Yamaha, XC Bob, Mystic Oil, HMF, Hiper, Maxxis Tires, Fox Shocks, MSR, ProTaper, IMS, Works Connection, G4 Graphics, Precision, Rath, Quad Tech, Smith and JB Racing.