GNCC Racing

Tuesday Toolbox: Haedyn Mickelson

Tuesday Toolbox: Haedyn Mickelson

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 3:50 PM
by:
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 3:50 PM

Haedyn Mickelson races in both the ATV Motocross (ATVMX) and GNCC Series. The twenty-year-old is now in his second year of GNCC racing, and is currently leading the 4x4 A class points. He is also leading the Pro-Am class points in the ATVMX Series. He is originally from Minnesota, but he and his family recently relocated to North Carolina.

Mickelson has earned four 4x4 A wins thus far in the 2018 GNCC Season.
Mickelson has earned four 4x4 A wins thus far in the 2018 GNCC Season. Ken Hill

GNCCRacing.com: First off, how long have you been racing?

Haedyn Mickelson: This is my second year racing in the GNCC series and my fourteenth year racing ATV motocross.

How did you get started with ATV motocross?

It all started off because my mom and dad used to ride trails on their ATVs a lot. We [my siblings and I] weren’t old enough to actually drive on the trails. The only place we were really allowed to ride our little ATVs was at the track, so that was where we went. And that’s how I got started racing.

Are your parents still supportive of or involved in your racing?

Oh yeah! My dad used to be the team manager for a team I was on, in fact. He and my mom still come to almost every race, and they support me 100%. At the track I have an actual mechanic, but my dad also still helps me quite a bit with my practice machines at home.

Mickelson currently holds the points lead in the 4x4 A class in GNCC and Pro-Am class in ATVMX.
Mickelson currently holds the points lead in the 4x4 A class in GNCC and Pro-Am class in ATVMX. Ken Hill

So you started out locally, then worked your way up through the ranks at the nationals?

Yep, I ran local races for about three years, did a couple nationals, and then began running the national series.

Are you a full-time racer, or do you still have a day job somewhere?

During the season I race full-time. And then for a couple months during the off-season I work. I hold two part-time jobs. I drive trucks, making deliveries and stuff. Then I also help a friend of mine out - his company comes in and cleans up after natural disasters. Last year after Hurricane Sandy I was down in Florida working for a whole year.

What made you decide to start competing in woods racing in addition to racing moto?

Well, Jason Watt, one of my friends that I used to race moto with, switched to the GNCC stuff. He actually races UTVs now. Anyway, he invited me to do the ten-hour Heartland Challenge with him, and that was my first race in the woods. I really enjoyed it, so I came back the next year, but competed on a 4x4 ATV.

Last year Mickelson finished seventh overall in the 4x4 A class.
Last year Mickelson finished seventh overall in the 4x4 A class. Ken Hill

Even though you compete on a 4x4 in off-road racing instead of a sport quad, do you still feel like some skills carry over from one side to the other?

Yeah, definitely! You still have to be able to control the machine and do all of that. There are little differences between the two types of racing but a lot of does transfer over.

That makes sense - it seems like you have adapted to off-road racing really well. I know this is only your second year, but do you have a favorite round yet?

My favorite one is probably Camp Coker. With that deep loamy sand, the trails really berm up in the corners. You can stay on the gas and really go fast. It’s a little more open too, which I really like. And it even has a motocross track section which I really enjoy.

Mickelson's goal for his GNCC season is to win the 4x4 A National Championship.
Mickelson's goal for his GNCC season is to win the 4x4 A National Championship. Ken Hill

Sounds like that round definitely plays to some of your strengths. What are some of your goals for this season?

In off-road, I would like to win the 4x4 A championship. In motocross, I want to win the Pro-Am championship and make the top-10 in the pro class.

Pretty ambitious, but it sounds like you’re well on your way to making both of those things happen! Who would you like to thank for supporting you as you chase those goals?

First off, thanks to my family and David Eller for supporting me, and also to Jody at JB racing for keeping my 4x4 running! I also want to thank my sponsors: Rockford Fosgate, TiLube, Honda, Elka Suspension, Maxxis Tires, Engine Ice, Ethika, Fly Racing, SSI Decals, JB Racing, Scott Motorsports, Rath Racing and Ripitup Films.