Since his introduction to the Pro class in the late 1990s, Ryan Lockhart has been many things to many people. He’s been a factory supported rider, a national moto winner, a multi-time Parts Canada TransCan Champion, an all-around good guy, and most recently he’s become a father to a handsome boy named Meston. My point is that along the way “Newf,” which is how he is known across the moto industry, could’ve chosen many different paths but he’s chosen to still be a part of the sport that he loves, both on the bike and off. As the 2015 Future West Moto AX Championships heads into its final weekend, we caught up with Newf to get his thoughts on racing, parenthood and golf.
Throughout the 2015 Future West Moto AX Series Ryan Lockhart and Ross Johnson have had some pretty good battles. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: Hey Newf, how are things?
RL: Things are good, I’m just on the road right now visiting some dealers.
MXP: Okay, let’s begin with what’s been happening with you off the bike. Recently you became a father to Meston Lockhart. How has everything been going?
RL: So far everything has been going good. Obviously it’s been challenging at times, but I’m sure any new parent will tell you that. You think you’re prepared for parenthood but you don’t really know until the baby arrives. Things are good though, Randi and I are getting used to the routine if that’s what you want to call it.
MXP: I think the first few months are the hardest and then things get a little easier.
RL: For sure, I mean so far Meston has been great, I think it’s just that this is our first time being parents and everything is new. Plus, I’ve been really busy with work and with racing so that hasn’t helped too much. Thankfully I have Randi who’s been doing an awesome job at being a new mom.
MXP: I think becoming a new parent is always a little more of an adjustment when you’ve spent your entire life as an athlete. To be a successful athlete, as you’ve been, there’s always that little bit more selfishness hard wired into you; there has to be if you’re doing right. Then you become a parent and instantly it’s not just about you anymore.
RL: Try explaining that to Randi (laughs). I tried to last weekend and she just wasn’t buying it. Maybe you should call her and explain your theory. Overall things have been great. This is the final weekend of the AX series so my schedule lightens up after this weekend.
MXP: Let’s talk about the AX series. I was looking through Lissimore’s photos from last weekend, were you wearing a thick hoody? How cold was it in there?
RL: It was pretty cold outside and inside so on Saturday night I had to wear the proper clothes. On Friday night I just wore my jersey and I ended up being cold in the main events and I just couldn’t get warm. We’ve had some cold weather here last week so the nights end up getting really cold. It’s beginning to warm up now so it should be much better for this weekend’s race.
MXP: This past few months we’ve seen some pretty awesome indoor racing in this country. With the new National AX Tour Series starting up and of course the long running Future West AX in BC, I think this is great for riders of all ages and abilities.
RL: I agree. Racing indoors is such a great experience for every rider and the younger you can start the better. The tight tracks, the reflexes and the aggression that is needed, those are all really great skills that you must have if you want to be successful in AX. The more indoor racing the better as far as I’m concerned!
For the past few years Newf has been a fixture at the annual Parts Canada TransCan, winning multiple titles on the tough Walton Raceway track. In 2016, he will be looking to add to his championship total. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: It looks as though the Future West Moto AX Series has been doing great this season. The racing has been great and the entries have been up. Have you been enjoying it?
RL: It’s been great this year, there has been more riders out and the racing has been great. Even the spectator turnout has been good. Cloverdale was packed with people. It was just too bad that the dirt was so wet. All in all the series is in good shape and everyone seems happy. It’s good to see because we need our young riders to get exposed to this type of racing as much as possible. If you look back to the list of top Canadian riders that spent some time racing this series, it’s pretty impressive. Names like Lange, Beaton, Facciotti and Klatt, they all raced here and they all became very good riders.
MXP: You and I are definitely on the same page with that. It’s great to see so many kids out racing AX now. The next generation of Canadian pro riders is going to be very fast indoors. So far in this series you’ve been very close to getting a main event win. What’s it going to take for you to win one this weekend?
RL: Good question, I wish I knew. As you said, I’ve been close a few times but Ross has just been a little better. That guy never makes mistakes, and for me to win a main event I really need him to make a mistake. I just need a holeshot, obviously, and then I need to have a solid race. It’s going to be tough but it’s possible.
MXP: You know, if you win a main event this weekend then our wager still stands, you will get yourself on the cover of MXP in 2016. That should be a little extra motivation.
RL: Definitely, that would be cool. You know I’ll do my best Palms!
MXP: I know you will. A magazine cover would be a pretty cool thing to hang on Meston’s wall. As you know the 2016 Monster Energy SX Series is fast approaching. Give me the name of who you think will win the SX class title next year.
RL: Oh man, you’re putting me on the spot. I think at this point that it’s hard to bet against Eli Tomac. I know he’s coming off an injury, but he’s such a hard worker that I don’t think that will be a problem. I really believe he’s changing how people ride bikes right now. I mean, when you watch him ride he barely takes his feet off the pegs. I know Villopoto started that style, but Tomac is taking it to a new level so I think once he gets rolling he’s going to be unbeatable.
Newf is very happy that so many kids are taking an interest in racing indoors these days. As you can see in this Clayon Racicot photo, Newf is a master at racing on the tight tracks of AX.
MXP: I don’t think you can go wrong with a pick like that. Final question for you – you and I have been Tiger Woods fans for a long time. Do you think he can come back and win another major tournament?
RL: Oh man, I sure hope so. Like many people, he’s one of the reasons that I started to play golf so I don’t want him to go away just yet. It has to be hard for him now. He’s worked so hard for so long that maybe his body just doesn’t have anything left in it. His back is obviously an issue, but I wonder how much mentally he has left in the tank. I have a feeling that he still has one more, big win left in him and then he’ll be done! I hope he does anyway. If you could break my perfect holeshot streak at Walton this past year then anything is possible from a 40-year-old athlete (laughs).
MXP: Ain’t that the truth Newf. That was the 90 seconds of glory that I had left in my tank. Thanks for taking the time to chat this morning. Good luck this weekend and give my love to Randi and Meston.
RL: Thanks for calling Palms! I hope I can pull off a win this weekend so you have to tell Charles that I’m getting a cover.