What’s your racing history? What made you decide to race 4x4 ATVs?
I raced dirt bikes for 15 years and finally had a nasty accident. I kept racing, but wasn’t sure how long I would continue. My wife, Becky, was going to the races with me and so we bought her a quad to get around on. I started riding it around the house as a training tool and then one day decided I would give it a try racing. It started as a one-trip outing, but I had so much fun! I started to race four-wheel events here in England. It was better on my old bones and allowed me to carry on racing into my 40’s.

What brought about the U.S.A. opportunity?
I’d been racing ATVs for 4 years. And you might not know it, but outside America, we all follow the GNCCs! We watch the guys like Kevin Trantham, Micheal Swift, Brian Buckhannon. Last summer, I sent Michael Swift a message saying I would love to come race in America. Within 20 minutes, he answered and said he could help with that! It took 3 months of back-and-forth, but we set up a plan for Ironman last year. It was hectic because our biggest race was the Western Beach Race and was the weekend before Indiana. I raced here, then flew to America and competed for the first time in America! I placed 3rd in my class and it was absolutely so much fun! 

And now you are racing the full series?
Yes! Later on, my wife and I went to New York to visit her mom. I was on the phone with Michael Swift. He said he didn’t have anyone for the A/B class and asked if I would be interested? Of course I was! I own my own business here in England and so I had to talk it over with my partner. He’s been great to accommodate, but I’m still putting in the hours and making sure things run like they should.

I know you have a lot of travel plus responsibilities back home. What does a race weekend look like for you?
I usually leave my house at 4am on Thursday. We are 5 hours ahead of you, so that would be midnight your time. I get to the airport and catch a flight to the U.S.A. I’m in the air about 7-10 hours and usually have to catch a connection once I land. By the time I get my rental car, drive another hour or so to the hotel and get checked in, I’ve been traveling for 19-21 hours. I go to bed and get up Friday morning, meet Michael Swift in the hotel lobby and go to the track for track walk, last minute prep and then a team meal Friday night. Saturday is race day. I try to sleep in Sunday morning and then it’s off to the airport for a Sunday evening flight home. I typically land at 6:30am Monday morning and am at work by 9:30am.

Wow! I think I would need Mondays off after all that travel!
That was my original plan! But we are so busy and there’s much to be done. Summer break has been good. I didn’t know that this traveling and working would make me so tired. I don’t sleep on airplanes at all, so I’m enjoying being home and getting rested up. I hope to be caught up by the time the season starts again - although, I am coming over there shortly for the Heartland Challenge. And then, of course, Unadilla will be right around the corner! 

What’s the biggest difference between racing in England vs. America? 
There are quite a few, really. For one, the ferocity of the GNCC is greater. Over here, we race for typically 2 ½ to 3 hours because they really want a pit stop. That pit stop is part of the race. But in GNCC, many competitors go for 2 hours without a stop. So I’m good on the distance, but the pace is more like a motocross. Everyone is going all out from the very beginning! Over here, we can ease into the pace and the race gets going later on.

 

Another difference is the cost. If you are paying $3.00 for a gallon of diesel, we are paying close to $11.00 for the same amount! 75% of that is tax to the government. And then there are entry fees. I think GNCC charges $40 to race. Our typical club fees are $110. Our biggest race is Western Beach and it costs $400 to enter that one.

 

So, it’s really quite nice to come to America. It costs us a lot to go, but once there the costs are considerably less than they are here. Plus, my wife and I notice how you Americans truly honor your service people. You embrace religion. It’s not like over here. My wife and I have just had the best time ever!