Posted January 11, 2008

Q&A with Duro Extreme Dirt Track Champ Harold Goodman

We caught up with Harold Goodman, the 2007 Duro Extreme Dirt Track ATVA Nationals champion, after the season ended to talk about his racing past, his racing school, and the highlights and lowlights of his career.

ATVAonline: Describe how you feel now that you've won your first Pro Extreme Dirt Track championship?

Goodman: It is great. There are a lot of opportunities for sponsorship and after 21 years of racing, I’m glad it finally happened.

ATVAonline: Tell us about your racing machine. What trick parts does it have?

Goodman: Most of what I use to build my bikes is provided by sponsors. I used Houser suspension components and PEP shocks that really complemented each other to make setup easy. Rage did my motors and they were phenomenal. I used both HST and Rage exhausts this season and both worked really well. Hinson clutch components are the most reliable on the market.

ATVAonline: Let's talk about how you got started. What was your first ATV? How old were you?

Goodman: My first ride was a Honda ATC 70 and my first ATV was a Dirt-E-Works KX 60 Conversion, I was 4 or 5 with the three-wheeler and 7 with the quad.  It was for the whole family. My mom, dad, two sisters, brother-in-law, nephew, and I all went riding together at the beginning.

ATVAonline: What was your first amateur race? How old were you? What was it like?

Goodman: My first race was at Milan Excitement City in Milan, Michigan. I was 7. It was a lot of fun. I didn’t do well but was hooked on racing.

ATVAonline: When and where was your first Pro race? What do you remember about it?

Goodman: My first Pro race was at the Montreal Supercross in 1995. I passed Gary Denton and won the event. That was definitely a highlight in my career.

ATVAonline: Tell us about your racing career. What disciplines have you run as an amateur? As a Pro? Have you won any amateur championships?

Goodman: I’ve raced many different types of races throughout my career, both as an amateur and Pro. Obviously, TT and MX but also a few cross country races, desert, short track, dirt bike MX, team 12-hour races and others. I won a 60 Mod Grand National Championship in 1989, 80 Super Stock in 1990 and 1991, 250 A in 1995, 4-stroke Pro-Am in 1998 and 1999 and in 2004 a 265 Pro-Am TT championship.

ATVAonline: Tell me about your school. What's involved, what do students learn, how much does it cost and how can people sign up? Do you have age limits?

Goodman: My school has worked out well for the students and me. It has made me a better rider. I start with rider safety. This is mostly the proper riding gear and bike maintenance. There are different skill exercises we do to learn proper body position, ride on the track and work on cornering, braking and how to make traction. We also spend a lot of time on bike setup because it is so important for Extreme Dirt Track. It is a two-day class and costs only $300. For now I haven’t been teaching more than 12 students at a time. They can contact me by e-mail. There are no age limits—young and old can benefit from the class.

ATVAonline: How do you prepare for the racing season? Describe your typical training day?

Goodman: I lift weights, ride, and do cardio. There really isn’t much to it other than it takes a lot of time and discipline.

ATVAonline: Age, occupation, hometown? Married? Kids?

Goodman: I am 29. I race four-wheelers and buy and sell houses to help with expenses. I live in Brownstown, Michigan, and am not yet married or have kids.

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

Goodman: The funniest thing that ever happened to me at a race would probably be this season when I made a bet with Dee at Rage. If I won the TT championship I would get to shave his head. I won and he is bald.

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

Goodman: The most heartbreaking thing that ever happened to me, other than seeing friends get hurt, would have to be the whole 1996 season. It was my first year as a Pro and I won Ashtabula and Loretta Lynn’s but I DNFed every other race. It was probably my best opportunity for a Grand National Championship in the Pro class. Now that the series is split the only thing that would be as good would be to win both the MX and TT series the same year.

ATVAonline: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time unrelated to ATVs?

Goodman: I’ve gotten into RC cars and planes. It is relaxing for me. Other than that, most my life is racing. I do try to hang out with my friends at home as much as I can.

ATVAonline: What advice would you give amateurs who want to become Pros?

Goodman: The best advice that I can give is to always give 100 percent, but never push over your head. I’ve seen countless talented riders try to get to the Pro level too fast and end up getting hurt or disgusted because they can’t compete and end up quitting. Always have fun, that’s why we all come to the track.

ATVAonline: Who are your sponsors?

Goodman: American Honda, Houser Racing, HST, PEP, Rage ATV, Hinson Clutch Components, Douglas Wheel, JPMX, ITP Tires, Rath Racing, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Pro Design, Graves Motorsports, Denton Racing, Nicholson's, Stroud Designs, Precision Racing Products, Tire Balls, and Division Four.

ATVAonline: Who would you like to thank for your 2007 success?

Goodman: First of all, I would like to thank my parents and girlfriend. My parents have been my biggest sponsor throughout my career and help more than they should.  My girlfriend helps with my training and at the track, mainly it's great she puts up with all the time racing requires.

All of my sponsors are great and I feel privileged for all the help that I receive. I can’t say enough about all of them but a few stand out. Honda has been very helpful with my program and they build a great quad. The Housers are awesome to work with and the new Tric Trac A-arms really helped put me out front. Dee and Rage ATV built a great engine that got me to the first turn first many times, plus we went a whole season without any DNFs.

Wayne at PEP builds the best suspension and James at JPMX is at the track to help. I feel like there is something great to say about everyone but these sponsors stand out.

© 2008, All Terrain Vehicle Association