MXP Chatter: Josh Woods

Even though Josh Woods was born and raised in Michigan, he’s spent so much time racing in Canada that he should be an honorary citizen. During his Pro career, Josh won a Canadian Championship in 2000 before moving back down to the USA where he would garner multiple podium finishes in Supercross and in the AMA Outdoor Nationals before injuries took their toll and he had to retire. As his racing career was winding down, Josh and his family opened up the very popular riding facility in Cairo, Georgia simply known as GPF. Since it opened, GPF has become one of the most popular riding spots in the States. With many Canadian riders getting ready to make their yearly trek down south for some winter riding, we decided to give Josh a call to see how GPF is doing.

Q: Hey Josh, how are things down south?

A: Everything here is good, although it’s been a little cold here lately. I feel like a wuss complaining about the cold considering how cold it must be up there, but for here it’s cold!

Q: You guys have actually had it tough this winter. I’ve been checking the weather lately and it’s been going down below zero at night. Have you had to take any precautions because of the cold?

A: Sometimes. When they build things here they don’t insulate the houses or the plumbing so you have to be careful when the temperature goes below zero. At GPF we’ve insulated some of the piping so we’ve been okay, but it just gives you something else to worry about. Once we get through January it usually begins to warm up so we’ll be fine.

Q: So a few months ago you became a father to twins. How’s that been going so far?

A: It’s been tough; actually it’s been a lot tougher than I thought it would be. First with twins it’s obviously double the workload, plus they were premature so that added to it. The first few months were definitely a big struggle. Now that we’re a few months into it things are getting better, their personalities are beginning to come out and it’s pretty funny.

Q: I know, people can try to prepare you for parenting but you have to experience it to really know. The first few months are always tough. It’s a life changing moment, for sure.

A: The biggest thing is the lack of sleep that you have to endure. You don’t get enough sleep, your wife doesn’t sleep and your stress level is just so high. Everyone has to go through it so it’s all part of life. Like I said, things are getting better now.

Q: You’ve had Colton Facciotti down there on his new GDR Honda. How’s he been doing and how does he look on his new Honda?

A: Yes, Colton’s been here for almost a month riding and training. He’s been in and out but from what I’ve seen he looks great on the bike. This year he came down a little earlier than usual to get used to his new bike so he’s just been testing stuff and getting back into it. Once March and April come Colton always starts to buckle down and get to work. He always has a plan and it obviously works because he goes to the first round in Canada ready to go.

Q: That’s true, he always shows up at Nanaimo ready to win. The Medaglia brothers have been down there also haven’t they?

A: Yes, Jeremy more than Tyler, but yes, they’ve both been here. Lately, Jeremy has been looking great on his new Hondas. I’m not sure what he’ll be riding this summer but he looks really fast. Tyler looks good too and since he’s been riding a two-stroke, his bike sounds great when he’s out doing motos. Both Tyler and Jeremy aren’t afraid to join in the motos that we do with our really fast amateur kids so that’s always fun to watch. Since they have been racing AX over the winter they usually split their time between our AX track and the outdoor track when they’re here.

Q: This is the time of year when a lot of Canadians think about packing up and taking a trip down south to ride. If they come to GPF, what can they expect?

A: Well, they can expect a fun but tough track, that’s for sure. Also they can expect to ride with some really fast guys. My big bike guys are going really fast here. If Canadian riders want to come down south to ride a good rough track to get in shape and ride with some fast guys, this is the place to come, for sure. Other than watering and a little grooming, I’ve been leaving the outdoor track rough so it’s great practice right now.

Q: What about the kids. Does GPF have a mini track?

A: No, we don’t, actually. Maybe now that I have kids we’ll start building one in the next few years. For now, we just have a small bike practice on the big track, and almost all the kids love that. Also, some of the 50 kids ride our AX track when it’s not being used so they like that. Some of those little kids go pretty fast on the AX track. Trust me, if you want a great facility to come and ride at, and if you want a good track and lots of people of all levels to ride with, you’ll love it here at GPF.

Q: Just listening to you talk about it makes me want to jump in my truck with the family and drive down. These days we’re seeing the amateur kids riding so fast. Why do think these kids are so good now?

A: I just think that there’s so much available knowledge out there for these kids, there’s no guess work and they’re doing all the right things from the time they’re twelve. Years ago, a fast amateur kid would turn Pro and then they would start learning how to eat and how to train. Now they know this stuff years before they turn Pro. Also, the facilities that these kids get to train at are unbelievable. Not just GPF but all of them. When I was younger, there was nothing like this. Now a kid can come here and have everything available to them. If they want it bad enough, it’s all here. With how competitive the amateur classes are currently and the contracts available to these kids, I mean some of these kids are making money already so they have to be in shape.

Q: You were a really fast amateur kid back in the late 1990s, so fast that you came to Canada in 2000 and won a championship. Do wish you had a little bit of what’s available now for these kids?

A: For sure. When I was in Canada in 2000 I was really fast and won some 250 motos, but I had some stomach problems and I didn’t know why. Now, looking back at it, I was simply burning more calories than I was taking in…that’s it. It’s just little things like that. Nowadays, a kid wouldn’t have to deal with those problems because his training program would have him eating enough and doing all the correct things.

Q: I was lucky enough to be one of your teammates back in 2000. Despite the fact that our team had a lot of riders who each had their own issues, we had a lot of fun that year.

A: That was a great time in my career, and yes, we all got along really well. I’d hate to think what it would’ve been like if we didn’t get along (laughs). Ron Ashley was great to me back then and he ran a great team. I wish I could’ve won more championships for him.

Q: It’s hard to believe that it was 14 years ago. Where does the time go?

A: I know. It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long.

Q: Well Josh, thanks for taking the time to do this. Hopefully you’ll be seeing a lot of Canadians at GPF soon.

A: Thanks for calling and hopefully a lot of Canadian riders can make it down here.