JANUARY 28, 2008
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Ryan "The Newf" Lockhart takes in the Southern California sun. |
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photo: James Lissimore |
By Danny Brault
It’s been a painful winter for Springhill, Nova Scotia’s Ryan Lockhart. While living and working in BC, “The Newf’s” plan was to contest the Toyota Yamaha Canada Nex-Trax Arenacross Championships. Unfortunately, he’s left the barns with more bruises than trophies. Despite his string of bad luck, Lockhart remains positive in the New Year and hopes to race the new nine-round MX2 series. We caught up with Lockhart during his lunch break at the 661 warehouse for this edition of “My Take.”
Canadians racing supercross
I had to laugh the other day when I read the Five Minutes with Ryan Gauld; come on, Gauldy, you know they’re not scared. Gauld wasn’t scared; he knows what it’s like. The thing is, I said it on MXForum—I’m starting to become a regular poster on there now [laughs]—they’re not scared, they can’t afford it. You can’t go down there and expect to be competitive on a next-to-nothing budget, just scraping by to go race. You’re competing against guys who money isn’t an issue for. For someone to ride supercross every day for a week, it’s like $50 to $60 a day. So there’s $200 gone just to go riding. Maybe it is scared because everyone’s going to be broke. It all goes back to the Canadian Nationals; no one makes any money so we’re broke all winter.
James Stewart’s injury
I don’t know, man. From what I’ve heard, and I’ve heard a few different stories, he never had surgery in the first place. I’m not going to throw James under the bus, but what a stupid deicison. It must be bad because he can ride around at 40 percent and still win, so it must be bad. When I heard that he got hurt, I was like ‘Yeah …” Then when I heard he didn’t get the surgery, I thought how would a guy like that make such a poor decision? Maybe that’s not the case, but you’d think he has enough people around him that he would have gotten it looked after. Knees don’t heal on their own; I know from experience. But you know what? It’s going to make the racing better everywhere else. Too bad Chad wouldn’t leave the series then it would be great [laughs.] It sucks because I think Chad might have had something for him.
Best team you’ve ridden for
Probably when I rode for Richmond [Kawasaki], for sure. I had some problems with bikes that year, but Billy Whitley was by far the best team manager I ever had. When things got down and down in the dumps, Billy was always there to make light of the situation. If it wasn’t for him, that year would’ve been a lot worse.
Injuries
What do you want to know about injuries [laughs]? I’ve been hurt all winter. Being hurt sucks, but I guess that’s part of the game. Sometimes, when I’m all bummed out, I look at it like injuries might be a good thing. You have a break and some time away from the bike. In my case, I’ve been hurt from the first day I rode; I’ve had enough breaks! I was really looking forward to racing this arenacross series, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’m pumped for the nationals; I have the desire again. I think it’s just a test on how bad do I really want it.
Working a nine-to-five job
It’s fun; I don’t mind it. I thought at first I wouldn’t look forward it, but I enjoy it. It makes me feel like I accomplished something during the day. I lucked out that I work in the industry somewhat. I know all of the products. It’s not like I’m miserable going to work. I’m surrounded by motorcycle stuff and guys that race. I’m pumped, I like it, and I look forward to continuing with it.
Your biggest strength in racing
I’ve had a lot of things come and go. When I was younger my biggest strength used to be my heart and I would do whatever it took to come out on top. I kind of lost that. Now my strength is probably that I’m a personable guy and it makes it easier for me to get support. I know it doesn’t have anything to do with racing. It’s not an on-track thing. But off the track, I’m pretty down to earth and relate to people a bit more. Some people like it and some people don’t.
Your biggest weakness
That would be training. Training sucks. I’ve never been one for it. One of those deals where you either like it or you don’t and I’m one of those many people in the world that don’t. It’s something you learn over time--and why don’t we train harder? It’s so much easier when you’re in shape! Life is easier when you’re in shape. It’s tough, but hopefully—I say it every year—this year I will train harder. So this year, I’m going to start now and do a little less instead of waiting until the end and cramming it all in.
Most overrated Canadian racer
You already know what I’m going to say—Lee Coutts! It’s absolutely the truth. Right now, he’s the most overrated rider because he’s only good for one lap. He knows that I don’t like him. That’s fine, because I know he doesn’t like me or care for me much. I’m not just saying that because he broke my leg, but because it’s the honest to God truth. You should see how overrated he is at these Chillwack AX races. Sure it’s cool, but he’s overrated for the wrong reasons. Lee’s not a bad guy and he’s a good rider, but they have him overrated as this “killer.” I said it before: he rides with a lot of heart but rides with no brains.
First pro national
That was RJ’s in 1999. I was #93 on a Suzuki. It was the hottest day I’ve ever raced and that was when we were racing four motos. I don’t know the exact results, but I think I went 14-16-15-15. That’s what got the ball rolling, because the next weekend I scored my first top 10 at Moncton. I got a ninth in the 125 class. But my first national was good; it was a real eye opener. It was so much easier back then! That year you could get a crappy start and come from 30th to sixth. I was like, ‘Why does everyone say being a pro is so hard?’ Then, wow, everyone got a wake up call the next year. I had fun; I was only 15-years-old at the time. I actually took out Chris Pomeroy in the first corner. He always says I wrecked his season that year, but we all know how Palm thinks.
Scott Lockhart
He's an interesting character. Sometimes I think he wishes he was riding the bike for me. He’s the old school motocrosser; he knows what needs to be done. Back then they trained so hard, 24-hours a day [laughs]. But he’s been good to me. We have a weird relationship, we don’t always act like father/son. He just wants to see me do well in the sport and he’s sacrificed a lot in his life to make things better for me. Of course, he thinks like a lot of other fathers that we don't appreciate it, but we do. It’s frustrating for him because he knows what I can do in this sport, but it’s up to me to how far I want to take it. He knows I can be a champion; I've just got to get that through my head and do it. He’s funny, he likes to tell you stories.
Newfoundland
I spent a little time there and we know how that goes [laughs]. Newfoundland’s cool! Out there, the kids are asking me, “Why do they call you Newf, you’re not from Newfoundland?’ And I said ‘I don’t know I’m from Nova Scotia,’ and then they go ‘Does it bother you?” Because people always think Newfoundlanders aren’t that smart. Newfoundland’s awesome! I wish I was from Newfoundland! I think we all do; anyone that’s been there, wishes they were too. They are the best people in the world. They love racing dirt bikes. If I grew up racing dirt bikes in Newfoundland, I would die a happy man. They love having a good time and that’s what life is about for anyone riding dirt bikes.
Favourite rider in Canadian motocross
Ryan Millar. The kid is pretty simple. For one, he has a good family and I like his family. Two: he’s a super nice kid and he’s not cocky. Usually kids his age think they are all this and that. He’s a good rider and I think he has good future if he keeps his head on straight. I like him ‘cause he likes me, there you go [laughs]!
I love it! I’m addicted! I’m on it right now, just creeping [laughs]. I am probably the biggest Facebook creeper in Canadian motocross. I’m on it all of the time. I never even knew what it was say eight months ago, now I’m just loving it.
Lethbridge Arenacross
I’m pumped; I’m going. I didn’t think I would be able to go but the “Lee Coutts” broken leg is healing up pretty good. It’s fun; it’s laidback; the track is pretty easy and fun. They get good crowds and everyone’s pumped. I have a good time and they treat us like gold there. This will be my third year going. They hook us up with hotels, brand new bikes, and fly us right into Lethbridge. What more could you ask for? I was super bummed when I hurt my leg, but now I’m pumped because I’m going.
Road trips
Road trips are fun. I think we all know that. I’ve been on lots of them. I don’t think I would know as much in life as I do if it wasn’t for road trips. You see a lot of new things and you’re put into a lot of situations. I hope when I’m 65 I’m still going on road trips!
