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Nice Guys Finish First
Scott Wilbanks Interview
What is your routine the week before a race?
Most often my routine includes maintaining the bike. I don't have a lot of time to practice, so I usually ride at home. We have a mini track in our backyard and I practice there. (Yes, we do live in the country!)
What do you eat the night before a race?
Normally I eat something high in protein to replenish what I lose in Saturday practice. We usually grill steaks, hamburgers, or hot dogs and have vegetables too. My girlfriend makes me eat as much as I can possibly consume. I also drink as much water as I can stand.
What do you think about during the race?
What I think about depends on where I am position wise. If I am mid-pack or worse, I know it's time to GO! I know that if I don't push then, the leaders can run away and hide. It is much harder to stay focused when I can't see the leaders. When I get a good start (in the top 5), I set my pace and try to keep a level head until the riders thin out a bit. Being in the 125/200 cc Intermediate class, we are second to leave the line. So, if I'm in the lead, I know there is open track for a lap or two. Then I can push to put as many lappers as I can between me and the next guy. I think a lot about maintaining momentum, as there is not much torque on a 125. All in all, I focus on riding smooth and fast.
What is your favorite TCCRA track and why?
From a spectator's view, there are a couple I like. Rocky Ridge, Ft. Hood and Pittsburg were great tracks for watching the races. They were also the best for finding a place to pit easily. From a racer's point of view, Ft. Hood is my favorite. It is very fast and has various types of terrain, with the hills, motocross track, and water crossings. The water part is not so great after the first lap because of the spray and dust combination get on your goggles, your boots end up full of water and by the end of the race you are drenched. Even though, it's still my favorite because it is very raceable, not one lined for very long.
What it the best place you have ever ridden and why?
The best place I have ever ridden is non-race related. My family and I were vacationing north of Creede, Colorado a few years ago. We rode through some gorgeous country over Engineer's Pass, Cinnamon Pass and many others. To avoid the two-stroke nightmare of elevation change, we all rode four strokes. I was on a XR 200, the best bike in the world for this! The cooler temperatures and awesome countryside made it my favorite place to ride.
When did you start motorcycle racing?
I had only raced in three races before joining TCCRA. I rode a Hare Scrambles in Georgia. It was promoted by Barry Higgins of KTM (at the time and I believe he still is). I DNFed that one. My second race experience was an Enduro in northern Alabama, which is very technical terrain. I DNFed that race too. I rode both on a XR 200. My third race was a Motocross in Georgia when I was 22. I managed to finish that one on a 1988 KX 125. I started racing regularly when I joined TCCRA in 1997. Before this I was only trail riding. So, I guess you could say I truly started racing in 1997, when I was 24.
What was the first motorcycle you ever owned?
My first bike was a Christmas present from the 'rents. We were at my grandparent's house when I got my start on a Suzuki 50. I was 5 or 6 years old and couldn't wait to ride it! They decked me out in a helmet that was a little large and I looked like the Jack in the Box kid! With my large helmet, Sesame Street jacket and Hi Point boots on, I climbed on with dad close by, coaching me. The big yard was flat with many trees. The first 20 yards were great but since I had not learned how to turn the thing, that was as far as I got before I hit my first tree. Before I was finished I had hit all 57 trees in that yard! My family finally got tired of picking up me and the bike, and so we called it a day. I was so disgusted that I never rode the bike again. My dad sold it later that month.
Talk about your first TCCRA race…
My first race was St. Jo in 1997. My parents and brother were racing TCCRA and I decided I would try it. I thought it would be no problem since I had been working out a lot and I also work construction. My parents thought it would be a good idea if my brother took me on a practice lap. I was on a 1988 KX 125 and he was on a 1996 CR 250. After the first mile my brother got tired of waiting on me. I was in shape all right! BAD SHAPE!!! It just about killed me. After one more practice lap on Saturday, I decided I was ready (I would have rode more but I was trying to save energy). I wanted to race the beginner's class but my dad said, "no way man, you need to race the 125 Amateur class". So I did. I decided I would just try to finish the race because I had never really raced before. I did finish the race in one piece and came in 14th.
What do you like most about TCCRA or cross country racing in general?
The racing aspect of it is not as intense as motocross. Most riders are courteous, some more than others. I like the fact that we have practice all day on Saturday. Practice time is important and having the whole day is good if you have to work or repair your bike. I also like the family atmosphere our club has.
What do you like least about TCCRA or cross country racing in general?
Boy, the Pit-Stoppers have been answering this question themselves lately. The thing I like the least is as you say is "playing follow the leader" around the track. I do not like one-lined tracks! They are dangerous especially in dusty conditions. I agree with you on the issue of seeing who can conquer the terrain the fastest. Other things I don't like are somewhat out of our control, like dust, and dead bovines stinking up the trail.
What was your best TCCRA race ever?
My best race ever was last year at Village Creek. It was 1998 and I was in the 125 Amateur class. The two previous races were mud runs and I had finished poorly, so I was very anxious to race that day. As best I remember there were 40 or so riders on the starting line and I was concentrating heavily on surviving the first turn. When the flagman raised the flag, we, as a mass charged to the first turn . . . And you know what that is like. . . And what is about to happen. And it did. Seven or eight crashed there at the first turn, but I managed to escape that. I was toward the back of the pack and couldn't see for the first mile or so because of the dust. I managed to pass a lot of riders that first lap and towards the end of that lap I caught the leaders of my class. I passed the guy in first (Christopher Leonard) shortly after the barrels. I kept up that fast pace and tried to continue riding mistake free. I finished first. After the race, my parents told me I had quite a lead on the others. I was so happy. It was my first win EVER! When I received my trophy I found out that I had won Overall Amateur also! I was so surprised. I will never forget that one.
What was your key to winning the 125/200 cc Intermediate title this year?
It has to be consistency late in the season. I had some problems early on that resulted in a couple of DNFs and thus little or no points. I got a concussion early in the season at Lake Bridgeport. Some probably remember that one. I was unconscious and laying in the middle of the trail but the spectators re-directed traffic to avoid running over me. Adam Little, who was in my class and behind me before the crash, saw me lying there, turned around and rode off to alert the paramedics. My sincere thanks goes to everyone who helped me out that day. After that race, I calmed down and settled in to the consistency frame of mind. Fast, but controlled = consistent.
Who's your favorite motorcycle racer of all time?
Bob Hannah is my favorite. He was wild and crazy but still fast. I even put lightning streaks like his on my helmet. I will always remember him riding for Yamaha and taking on some of the established riders and winning!
Do you like racing in the morning or afternoon and why.
I prefer racing in the morning. The track is not so beat-up, the temperatures are usually cooler and I don't have all day to get tense about my race.
Who is your closest competitor/biggest rival and why?
My closest competitors are the guys beside me on the starting line. I mean that literally. I try not to concentrate on beating any certain riders. I don't dwell on other riders; I concentrate on riding the best that I can in that particular race.
What are your racing plans for 2000?
I plan to race in the 250 Expert class. (Ed. note - Woo Hoo!!) It will be quite a challenge to adapt to the power of the bigger bike and I will be competing against a new group of riders, so I won't know their tendencies. I also plan to ride Motocross.
Thank you Scott, and watch this space for more interviews soon!
