by: Jared Bolton
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 | 10:25 AM
In 2013, the Women’s bike class has grown to become one of the most competitive classes in the series. One of the riders contesting the series this year, is that of Kacy Martinez who has an impressive background in off-road racing. However, Kacy is no stranger to GNCC Racing as she finished runner up to Mandi Mastin in final points back in 2007. We caught up with Kacy to hear about her 2013 season, and more.
GNCCRacing.com: Hey Kacy, how's it going today?
Kacy Martinez: Today is going great. Just got home a bit ago from the gym, now Travis is doing a top end on his bike, then we’re going to get stuff ready to ride tomorrow.
Sounds awesome! So are you ready for another weekend of racing?
Definitely ready to race!
How are you preparing for the race in Kentucky this weekend?
Normal to any other race, really. We will ride Tuesday and hopefully Wednesday, just depends on how the weather will turn out too. Then it’s prep and work on bikes Thursday, and leave for the race Friday morning.
How do you feel about the terrain there? It's kind of rocky!
I've never been to this race before so I'm excited to see what it’s like. I hear it’s really rocky and I’m pretty excited for that. Where I grew up riding back at home at Carnegie, it's pretty rocky so I feel like I'm a pretty good rock rider, but I'm sure it will be different in Kentucky.
So you've come into the GNCC series this year after a lot of success in the WORCS series, what brought on the change?
I raced the WORCS series for five years and I had lots of fun doing it. Coming from the National Hare Scramble Series into WORCS, I didn't have much motocross experience and racing at such high speeds. I learned a lot racing that series and believe it made me a better rider today. I was ready to do something new and I've always wanted to come back to the GNCC series after I raced it in 2007, and now I have the support to do so, so I'm stoked to be here!
How are you liking it so far?
I love it! The racing is great and the Women's class is stacked this year. I still can’t believe how many spectators come out and how crazy and helpful they are at the same time. At the end of my race I'll see guys that are muddier then I am (laughs)
That’s the famous GNCC mud fleas for you! You've had some solid races so far, tell us how your season has been going.
The season for me has been going good. I've gotten 2nd at every round so far, which I’m happy about because it's good consistency, but at the same time I want to win so bad. I know I can, and at the last race it was really close. I’ve just got to keep focus and keep doing what I'm doing on and off the bike with training, and it will come.
What is the competition like in the women's class?
They’re all really great riders, and the competition is stiff for sure. Maria and Jessica are riding great.
You've been on the podium every race so far, what's it going to take to continue doing that for the rest of the season?
Staying consistently on the podium, it's going to take good starts and my bike running strong for the whole two hours. I need to be smart about training and riding during the week and keep my body healthy as well.
What would it take to snag a class win?
I was so close last week and I know I can win. I need to get good starts and run up front with whoever is first. I need to ride smart and pass lappers smoothly. Stay calm on the last lap and just make it happen.
That’s a solid plan! Let's go back a little bit. How did you get started in the offroad world?
My dad and I started riding at the same time, and it turned into weekend warriors and going camping with the family almost every weekend. I did my first race at the place we would always go riding and realized there was a whole series. I started racing the District 36 Hare Scrambles and never stopped. I moved on to national level series racing National Hare Scramble and then the WORCS with some Endurocross, and now I'm here racing GNCC's.
What has been the biggest accomplishment of your career?
My biggest accomplishment has been winning the 2009 AMA Female rider of the year award, where I also won the National Hare Scramble series, WORCS week and my second WORCS Women's Pro championship that year. There was some great nominees that year and I was so honored to win it.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I'd like to have a couple GNCC championships along with a gold medal from Enduro-X in the X Games. I have a very long term goal, which is that I would like to win a championship in every major offroad series, so we will see how far that goes.
What kind of advice would you give to aspiring women's racers?
Women's racing has gotten bigger over these last couple of years and its great seeing all the women so involved. Just go out there and have fun, do the best you can do and never give up.
Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
My Mom and Dad, they have gotten me where I am today. FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis, Moose Racing, Motorcycle Superstore, Bell Helmets, Leatt, Fox Shox, X-Brand Goggles, Sidi, Rekluse, Motion Pro, PG, Motorex, Accerbis, Renthal, Mass Brothers and I can’t forget my boyfriend and best mechanic, Travis Coy for always having my bikes in the best shape and running 100%.