Posted February 8, 2008

Joe Byrd Rocks in MX

In his 15 years of professional racing, Honda's Joe Byrd (above, center) has about done it all. But his high point this year was winning the title in the AMA Pro ATV ITP/Moose Racing ATVA Motocross Grand National Championship.

Byrd goes down in the record books as the first winner in AMA Pro ATV racing. Byrd took the title last year when the series ran strictly under the ATVA banner.

Byrd, 34, lives in Uniontown, Tennessee. His wife, Heather, is a four-time Women's class MX national champion.

We caught up with Joe Byrd recently to talk about this year's title win, what it takes to be a champion, his quad school, and some of the highlights, and lowlights, of his career.

ATVAonline: Do you and Heather do anything besides race and ride ATVs?

Byrd: Is there anything else? (laughs) We eat, live, sleep and breath it. That's what we do. We go to Glamis but there's limited time to do that because we're traveling and training.

ATVAonline: What was your first ATV, how old were you when you started riding, and how did you get involved in riding?

Byrd: My first ATV was an ATC100 three-wheeler and I was 9. I got interested in riding because of friends.

ATVAonline: What was your first amateur race, how old were you, and what was it like?

Byrd: My first ATV race was at a local motocross track. My first national race was at Loretta Lynn's in 1987, and I finished 7th. That's where my number (No. 7) comes from. I remember being scared, nervous, and running to the bathroom every five minutes. But once you get over the nerves you're hooked for life.

ATVAonline: Where was your first Pro race?

Byrd: My first ATV Pro race was at the Wolf Creek MX Park in Fort Worth, Texas. I had no idea how long the motos were, and it was really, really hot. I finished 7th. At your first race you learn how to train and everything, you set a goal.

ATVAonline: What disciplines have you raced over the years?

Byrd: I've done a lot of different racing, TT, MX, Baja, cross country, you name it.

ATVAonline: How tall are you and does your height pose a problem racing?

Byrd: I'm 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, about 220 with gear on. On the start being big is a disaster, but in the rough stuff it's a real advantage because I have more clearance between my body and the seat and I can really muscle the bike around.

ATVAonline: How do you prepare for a racing season?

Byrd: You get your team coordinated and do a lot of training. You have to do a lot of cardiovascular work. As long as the cardio is good, then it's just riding. I do a lot of cardio work.

ATVAonline: Tell us about your racing machine. What trick parts do you have?

Byrd: The Honda's great. Everything we run is good product. Everything we have is state of the art, but it's nothing the public can't get.

ATVAonline: What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you at a race?

Byrd: When I was an amateur one time I went to the starting line without my boots.

ATVAonline: What is the most heart-breaking thing to ever happen to you at a race?

Byrd: I was leading the points in the ATVA ITP/Moose Racing Motocross Grand National Championship in 2003, and going into the final I heated the tires too much and stalled the motor when the gate fell, and lost the championship.

ATVAonline: You're in the history books as the first AMA Pro ATV racing champ. How does that feel?

Byrd: That's awesome! It's hard to put into words. It's an honor to do that, and we've wanted to be recognized by AMA Pro Racing for years.

ATVAonline: What advice would you give amateur ATV racers who want to become pros?

Byrd: Go to the Joe Byrd Quad Riding School. At the school they learn the heart of how to be professional, including riding, training, keeping the bike running right, and things like that.

ATVAonline: Tell us about your school.

Byrd: Riders learn how to handle jumps, whoops, turns, learn about diet, nutrition, bike set up, braking, passing, starts. There's no minimum age for students. If someone is interested in learning to ride, I want them to come. They can go to the website at www.joebyrd.com and check it out. Then, if they want to take the school, just contact me and we'll figure out what school around the country they want to do and go from there.

ATVAonline: Who are your racing sponsors?

Byrd: Honda, IMS Products, Fly Racing, Pro Armor, Kenda USA, Hardkor Engineering, Custom Axis Racing Shocks, Outerwears, RPM, Oxtar, DASA Team Racers Edge, Hinson Racing, Precision Racing Products, Denton Racing, Warrior Manufacturing, Tom Miller Motorsports, Tokyo Mods, UNI Air Filters, Tire Balls, Walsh Racecraft, Scott USA, TAG Metals, PowerMad, Quad Tech, Streamline Performance Braking, WebCam Racing Cams, Works Connection, and QuadSouth Films.

© 2008, All Terrain Vehicle Association