GNCC Racing

Tuesday Toolbox: Ronnie Byrd

Tuesday Toolbox: Ronnie Byrd

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 | 10:35 AM
by:
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 | 10:35 AM

Ronnie Byrd may seem like your average racer but in actuality, he’s far from it. Two years ago Ronnie was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After having multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, Ronnie continues to race and keep a positive outlook on everything. We caught up with Ronnie to talk about racing, his battle and more.

GNCCRacing.com: How’s it going today?
Ronnie Byrd: Absolutely awesome!

So tell everyone a little about yourself.
My name is Ronnie Byrd. I started Cancer Sucks Racing two years ago after I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I've had two major surgeries, one removing thirty pounds of tumor and another removing seven organs. I was only given six months to live. I started racing just to see if I could defy the odds of being able to race in this condition. I'm just happy to even finish a lap. Four years later I'm still alive and just won a championship.

Four years after Ronnie was diagnosed with cancer he's still alive and ripping around on his ATV
Four years after Ronnie was diagnosed with cancer he's still alive and ripping around on his ATV Photo: Courtesy of Facebook

That’s amazing. So how did your 2014 race season go?
Absolutely awesome! I won the 40 Plus class championship in my local series and finished top five in my class at The General GNCC.

What was the biggest highlight of the season for you?
Honestly, just making it across that finish line every race is the biggest accomplishment. It’s not always about how I finished. To me, as long as I’m out there doing what I enjoy, every race is a win in my book.

Racing and battling cancer doesn't seem like an easy task, but for Ronnie he's been lucky enough to fight through it all
Racing and battling cancer doesn't seem like an easy task, but for Ronnie he's been lucky enough to fight through it all Photo: Courtesy of Facebook

So obviously battling cancer and racing at the same time is no easy task, right? But you've been able to make it happen. Tell us more about what it's been like.
It’s been a very difficult task. The damage of the chemo to my bones has been tough and my energy makes me feel like an old man. Obviously this makes any sort of racing pretty tough, especially cross country. Luckily I’ve been fortunate enough to fight through it all and continue to race.

You've also been a huge inspiration to people, how's that feel?
I hope I do inspire people to show them that quality of life is so much better than quantity of life and you're still able to enjoy life even if your days are numbered. Live your dreams and determination will carry you there.

Ronnie just wants to keep having fun while riding and make the best of everything
Ronnie just wants to keep having fun while riding and make the best of everything Photo: Courtesy of Facebook

You've definitely got a great outlook on everything though!
Yeah, the way I look at is that you’ve just got to deal with the hand you’ve been dealt and keep pushing forward. I just want to keep having fun and make the best of everything.

So what are your plans for the future?
To keep pushing myself in racing until my body doesn't allow me to. Hopefully that takes a long time.

Ronnie hopes to make it to the center of the podium at a GNCC
Ronnie hopes to make it to the center of the podium at a GNCC Photo: Courtesy of Facebook

What do you hope to accomplish in racing?
To get that center podium at the GNCC. That would definitely mean the world to me.

Before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
I’d like to thank John and George at GDH racing for building me the most awesome bike. Ed and Bobby Harrell and B and E Offroad. Spider Graffix and the Parks family. Mike and the Max C Racing family, and all the GNCC personnel. Colt and Fasst Flex Handlebars and the entire XC racing nation. Thank you for all your support. I will keep coming back!