At age 15, many riders are finishing out their mini bike careers. However, for some like Cole Kirchoff, they’ve already made the jump to the big bike and have been finding success. After 3 rounds of GNCC Racing in 2013, Cole currently leads the 4-Stroke B Lites class heading to Big Buck. We caught up with Cole to find out more.

Photo credit: Mayme Warren

GNCCRacing.com: How's it going today?
Cole Kirchoff: Today has been going good. I had a good day at school and ended the day with a cross fit workout with some friends.

Sounds like fun! So tell everyone a little about yourself.
Well, I’m 15 years old, I run cross country and play high school basketball. I recently stopped playing soccer and baseball to focus more on racing. Motorcycle racing is something I’ve done since I was 4 years old and I’ve always played nearly every school sport offered, but coming into last season I knew I needed to focus on the sports that I’m good in and make the best of them, including racing. So this year I’ve narrowed my sports down to cross country and basketball, and I’ve really worked hard on racing.

How has your 2013 season been going?
My 2013 season has been going great! Winning the first round in Florida, a second in Georgia, and picking up another win at North Carolina has definitely set this season off in the right direction. 

Did you expect to be holding the points lead after 3 rounds?
I thought coming into the 2013 season I had a chance to be a competitor, but I didn't think I would be holding the points lead three rounds in.

What is it going to take to keep that lead for the rest of the season?
To keep the season where it is now, it’s going to take a lot good finishes. Maybe not a first or second every race but it’s definitely going to take me putting in a top five nearly every weekend.

What do you hope to accomplish through the rest of 2013?
I’m really hoping to win my first ever GNCC championship this season, but if first isn't possible second would be satisfying also.

At 15, some riders are still putting in 1 more year on the mini but you've moved straight to the B class, how does that feel?
I actually began racing the adult race last year when I was 14. I ran the B class then, but last year was more of a learning curve than anything. This year being 15 and having a year of experience in the afternoon race, I feel like I have a lot more confidence than before.

Do you think that will make you a better rider in the future?
Yeah, I think moving up when I did will put me a year ahead of the kids who stayed on minis for another year.

You also just made a switch to a KTM. How has that gone?
We had a great deal with Rock River Powersports, but Rob Jordan at Performance Cycle has always been a really great guy and has helped us out even when we were on a Yamaha. Rock River Powersports has been really great to us, but Performance Supercycle had the bike I was wanting, and Rob Jordan being such a great guy is the reason I moved to KTM. The new bike is going great and is helping me improve in places that need improvement.

What are the biggest differences between the Yamaha and the KTM for you?
The KTM having the electric start is a big difference that I really like. The KTM has a much smoother motor than the Yamaha, which makes me be able to finish easier at the end of a GNCC.

I also understand that you're asthmatic, does that ever present a challenge for you?
Having asthma really doesn’t cause t0o many problems. Every once in a while during a dusty race I might have a little trouble but not much other than that.

What kind of advice would you give to anyone else who races with asthma? 
When you start to have asthma trouble don't take it as a joke, pull over and catch your breath.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
My plans in the future are to finish high school and go on to fulfill my college career. Also hopefully competing for top amateur in the next couple of years.

Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank Performance Supercycle, Motorex, Zach Nash for riding with me this past summer, and my mom and dad.