Up Close & Personal With Jeff Baker

Up Close & Personal With

Jeff Baker - Motocross Racer

Publication Date: May 1996

How and when did you get involved in motocross racing?

My cousins got me interested when I was ten-years-old. I watched them and thought it would be something I might like to do. I started out on a Kawasaki KDX80, then moved up to a Yamaha YZ80, Kawasaki KX80, and finally to a Yamaha YZ125 which is my favorite bike, and the one I currently race.

Are you active in competitions?

I currently race in the 125A Pro/Am Class. I have ridden with the pros for two years off and on, competing in Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and of course Indiana.

What is your favorite track?

My favorite track is Kenworthy in Troy, Ohio. Kenworthy is the only track that is both outdoor and supercross, and has big jumps.

Have you had any injuries from racing?

I got a broken ankle at an arena cross from hitting a double too short, which is also called "casing the double." Timing is the key for the speed and the jumps you have to complete. According to which track you race, speed can get up to 30 mph.

Are you active in any other sports?

I like to ride and jump BMX bikes.

What challenges do you face in motocross racing?

I like the challenge that running with the pros has given me. Keeping up with their pace. Being able to do some of the jumps and speed they do really psyches me out.

How does motocross racing work, and how do you get prepared for a race?

The night before a race, I make sure everything is clean and greased and prepare goggles for weather conditions to put roll offs on or not. I load the bike into the trailer and then may watch some supercross videos on the tube.

The next morning I get up at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m., depending on which track I'm racing. My dad drives and we arrive at the track around 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. My parents sign me in for the classes I'll be riding, while I walk over the track checking for anything that would give me an edge. Then there's practice, usually two of them. After practice there's the drivers' meeting for any last minute changes, and to get the line-up of the motos.

There are usually around twelve to fifteen motos (races) or classes as they are also called. During the motos, I sit until it's my turn and watch the other riders race to see if I can learn anything from them, or if they do anything neat like clickers, no leggers, can cans, nac nacs, supermans, and things that don't even have names.

After the first moto, there is a short break. During this time I wash my bike and make any adjustments that need to be done. Then I run my second moto and wait about thirty minutes to see the results posted on the wall. With hopefully a first place win, I head for home only to get ready to do it all over again the next weekend.

What other interests do you have?

RC cars (gas powered remote control cars).

What are your future plans? Do they involve racing?

My future plans are to race all the supercross indoor and outdoor tracks that I can. I want to be one of the few to get into that top double digit number range (being issued a pro number by the AMA in Westerville, Ohio).

What's your advice for someone who wants to take up motocross or dirt bike riding?

You need to start with something small (50 cc) and work your way up. You don't have to have the best of everything to start out. If you don't have the best, you will work harder to get it. Find a track and practice all you can.