MXP: Hey Newf! We’re less than two weeks away from the next rounds of the Future West AX Championships. What can everyone expect Round 5 and 6 of this awesome series?
RL: There will be a few changes for sure that will be in place. Of course, a new track layout which we have been working on for some time now and we have Dylan Kaelin coming in from Track and Training to build the track. Anytime there is a new builder with new ideas that always makes it exciting for sure. The weather has been good out here so lots of people have still been riding so that should help the turnout. Rumour also has it that we will get to see the debut of Jake Piccolo on his GDR Honda at these rounds. This is exciting for sure.
MXP: We’ve seen Ken Roczen test-ride a few different bikes in recent weeks. Where do you think he’ll up and why?
RL: Kenny has been making Social Media very interesting that’s for sure and I like what he’s been doing. Honestly, I can really see him going to HEP Suzuki. I heard that the test went well on Wednesday and if he goes with that team he can keep his Red Bull deal along with Fox. Can he win on that bike? It’s hard to say as the RMZ is a little outdated, but I do believe the HEP guys have a good program and have developed the bike in the last couple of years. To me, it makes the most sense as he can keep his personal sponsors and the team pooled together money to make it happen. I would have to think that he needs to make his decision ASAP as Anaheim 1 is coming quickly.
MXP: Everyone loves old stories so can you give us your best one from the time you spent in Germany racing the German SX Series?
RL: The owner of the Kawasaki Team I was riding for was very intense and after the first round in Stuttgart he felt like my starts were crap. So, Monday morning he shows up at the apartment I was living at and he’s like get your gear we are going to the track. It was mid-November, cold and raining and I was thinking are you serious? He had spent his Sunday welding up a starting gate and was determined that we were going to get better starts for Round 2. We spent hours at the track just doing starts, over and over and over. I would burn the clutch out of one bike and he would bring the backup bike down and while I was doing starts on the backup bike the mechanic was putting a new clutch in the race bike. I went through six clutches that day and finally, after a few hours, he was happy and said we could go home. To be honest I’m not sure if it helped or not for the following rounds but it was a story that I will always remember.