MXP: Hey Newf, we saw that this week you celebrated your 10th Anniversary at Atlas Brace. First off, congratulations! That decade sure went by fast. What are your thoughts on the past ten years at Atlas and where do you see the sport going as far as protective gear maybe in the next ten years?
RL: Yes very hard to believe it’s been 10 years but it’s been an enjoyable decade that’s for sure. I was in a weird spot in my life when I started with Atlas and Matrix and I have to thank Brad McLean, Brady Sheren, and Rick Sheren for believing in me and giving me the opportunity that has turned into a career.
You know protection is a very difficult thing to understand sometimes. As crazy as it sounds it’s kind of trendy if that makes sense. Look at the 90s, everyone was wearing hard plastic chest protectors and kidney belts and then when the 2000s came around kidney belts and chest protectors when away for the most part. Of course, now we are seeing a lot more of the pros wearing chest protectors so that trickles down to the amateurs. For me, it’s like if you can wear protective gear that has been proven and tested why not? It may help but I can guarantee it’s not going to hurt.
MXP: Going back to the Gopher Dunes SX two weeks ago we saw some very aggressive riding as well as a few good old fashion take-outs. Some of the riders were just trying to make room for themselves while some claimed they were teaching some younger riders lessons they felt they needed to learn. Either way, we’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again I’m sure. When you were racing SX and AX who were some of the riders you needed to look out for as far as being really aggressive?
RL: It’s part of it and like you said we will see it again. For me I always found it important to stay away from that stuff for the most part as 99% of the time it would hurt your results instead of helping them. You can use Tyler Gibbs as an example at the Gopher SX. His speed was a 3-3-3 type of night but he got caught up in the crap and look at how his evening went. For me, you always had to have your guard up around guys like Lee Coutts here in the Future West AX as he was known as the tough guy and the fans loved his rough riding. It was dumb in a sense that guys got hurt, but Lee is a really awesome guy but kind of got caught up in those types of moments. Chuck Mesley would always race you hard as well and you couldn’t leave the door open.
MXP: Here is the questions that all of Canada wants the answer to. How ready are you for the Pit Bike of Nations? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you ride a pit bike. Are you the weak link on the team or will everyone be so drunk that it won’t matter?
RL: I’m not even sure what it will take to be ready. Showing up I guess (laughs). I am getting a TTR 110 this weekend and will get a few days of practice which I think will be great for me as it’s been a long long time since I have done any kind of pit bike riding. I would like to think that I won’t be the weak link but I think it’s safe to say that Gauldy and I will both be letting Quinn down (laughs). He will have the speed to win his class or at least be at the front. The event is much more legit this year and everyone seems pretty serious. The drinks may have to wait until after!