Collingwood, Ontario rider Jake Tricco is one of the top amateur riders in Canada. With multiple national titles already to his name, Jake is looking to build on that success in 2016. Armed with his trusted Moto Park Yamaha and a brand new Fox clothing deal, Jake is ready for a successful year of racing and is the subject of this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Amateur Profile.
MXP: You just got home from down south, is it cold enough for you?
JT: Yes, it was pretty warm in Florida, but by the time we arrived in Tennessee it was pretty cold. We actually saw some snowflakes on race day so it certainly prepared us for when we got back home.
MXP: Let’s first talk about your trip. You didn’t just go south to practice, you actually did some racing. How did those races go?
JT: We started at GPF, which is an amazing training facility owned by Josh Woods. Over the years he’s always been great to us. I was able to join in on some training with Matt Crown, which was good prep for the race in Daytona. Racing went as planned. My goal was a top ten finish at Daytona and I ended up 8th overall. It was a stacked class, for sure, as all the top ten guys from Loretta’s were there. With only ten days on the bike I was pretty happy with my results.
Jake Tricco is a teenager who enjoys racing and hanging out with his friends.
MXP: That sounds great Jake! It seems as though the Daytona Amateur SX has grown so much over the past few years. Can you tell us about racing there?
JT: It is definitely an amazing place to race and to just hang out. Watching the pros practice and race was pretty cool. As an amateur rider, to have access to the pro pits and then race on the same track as they do is amazing.
MXP: And to finish 8th overall is pretty cool for your first race of 2016?
JT: Thank you! The track was different than previous years. There was no sand on the track this year so the take offs didn’t get as rutted, which made the track easier to ride. It was harder to pass and it was more one line so you had to run guys up high in the corners to pass. Obviously, like every big race, the start was so important.
MXP: After Daytona you met up with your Moto Park family at County Line Raceway. That must’ve been like a family reunion?
JT: Before we went to County Line we stopped at WW Ranch in Jacksonville, Florida. We always to try to stop there when we are down south. Junior runs a great track there and he is always happy to see us. We actually try to bring him some maple syrup when we go there. After that we headed over to County Line, and yes, it was like being at home. All of the MP kids were there to ride and train, and we did the same routine as we do at MP in the summer. It was great to get back into it. In just a few days everyone noticed that they were getting back into MP shape. Zeb Dennis helped us with our training on and off the bike, Iain Hayden also came out to ride with us as he is training pretty hard to get ready for Loretta Lynn’s.
MXP: You guys obviously train and ride together all summer long, but it appears like the MP crew is really like a family. You guys all support each other so much?
JT: Yes, it is like my second family, and it’s always such a positive vibe with the MP crew. We are always cheering and pushing each other to be the best. When we do well, everyone is there to congratulate us, and when we have a bad race, we’re there to support each other.
MXP: For those of us who have never been to County Line, what is it like there?
JT: The track was rougher than past years, but it has good elevation changes and nice big jumps. They have a good place to practice starts and a gym you can get some workouts in. The fact that so many of us were there together made it a lot of fun.
MXP: From County Line you made your way north and raced a Loretta Lynn’s qualifier. How was that?
JT: We went to Fast Farms MX in Tennessee on our way home for a Loretta Lynn’s qualifier. It was about an eight hour drive from County Line. I raced both Super Mini classes. I finished first on Saturday in the Super Mini 1 class and third on Sunday in the Super Mini 2 class. The track was in the mountains so it had some elevation changes; it was a pretty cool track to race on, very hard packed and fast.
Blessed with great style and a champions mentality, Jake has a very bright future ahead of him. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: Those are some very good finishes against some fast kids, and now you’re back home in the cold waiting for MP to open?
JT: Yes, back to school and doing my best to try to stay warm. I can’t wait until MP opens so I can get back to riding, training and getting ready for the 2016 race season.
MXP: Yes, the riding season can’t come soon enough. Back to the off-season, how was that for you? You seem like a kid who loves to do a lot of different sports?
JT: I played flag football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, I went skiing, and went to Crossfit Industries over the winter trying to stay in shape for the moto season. I like to stay busy and I like to be active as much as I can.
MXP: So if you had to pick one activity, what is your favourite thing to do outside of riding a dirt bike?
JT: I’m not sure if you’d call this an activity, but hanging out with my friends both on and off the track. I have a great groups of friends and we all love to just hang out and enjoy life.
MXP: I’ve seen you guys hanging out at the track, so I would call that an activity (laughs). You’re back with Yamaha for 2016 but you will be wearing different gear. Can you talk about your new deal with Fox?
JT: Yes, I’m riding a Yamaha again this year. I will be riding Super Mini as my main class, and I have a 125 to practice on and race some Schoolboy 1 classes. I’m really excited about my Fox deal, I wore the new gear while I was in Florida and it is definitely the best gear out there. Jason Moore came to GPF and got Marco and I set up with some sweet Fox kits before Daytona so we were looking fresh the whole time. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long relationship with Fox.
For 2016, Jake is now part of the talented Foxhead Canada family and he will no doubt be looking great as he battles for Championships. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: That is very exciting. What events will we see you at?
JT: I plan to qualify for Loretta Lynn’s this year, and if I make it in then I’m hoping for a top ten finish. I am also going to continue to race in Ontario, I’m hoping to win another Canadian National title, and of course, you will see me at MP training all summer.
MXP: We can’t wait to watch you race this summer Jake. Final question, who would you like to thank?
JT: Mom and Dad, Fox Racing, Moto Park, Iain & Tom Hayden, Atlas Braces, Fox Suspension, Flybyu, Subway, Nihilo Concepts, Ortho Flex, Yamaha Canada, OTSFF, Ryno Power, D&D grips, Klotz Lubricants, Shore Power Services, Climatizer Insulation, Clear Lite, Everything Cleaner.