Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
For this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd. Amateur Profile we travel all the way to the Northern part of British Columbia to speak with a member of the powerful Cycle North Kawasaki Race Team. Although nine year-old Connor McCarron has only been racing for three short years, he’s already hooked on the sport of motocross and loves every minute of it. With help from his boss at Cycle North, Kourtney Lloyd, we were able to track down Connor to ask him our 15 questions.
MXP: Hey Connor, thanks for taking the time to chat with MXP. Can you first tell us how old you are and where you call home?
CM. Hey Chris, thanks for getting in touch with me. Currently I’m 9 years-old and I live in Terrace, B.C.
How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived here all my life… and it is a long way from most of the racing events. Sometimes we have to drive at least six hours one way before we hit any racing, and as long as fourteen hours.
I’ve heard that from a few riders in BC; we in Ontario are definitely spoiled. What class do you ride and how long have you been riding?
I have been riding for three years and I’m currently racing my Cycle North Kawasaki KX 65 in the 65cc class and the 85cc 7-11 class.
How did your 2014 racing season go?
The season started out rough. I crashed hard just before the first race and got a severe concussion. My Dad kept me off the bike for three straight weeks and would not let me race for another three weeks. So I had a late start but still had a good year and finished up strong. Then Kourtney Lloyd and Cycle North offered up a sponsorship and basically a chance to try out the Arenacross series. It is sooo fun! I hope to do more AX events in the future.
Congratulations on the Cycle North sponsorship, they’re a great group of people at that dealership. I know you’ve only been racing for three years but what are some of your past racing highlights?
All the podium finishes are really cool and some awesome crashes are memorable. I still have some of the broken and bent parts hanging in my room (laughs). However, the best was winning the 50cc 7-8 overall title in 2013. That was awesome! The best part of racing for me is the friends I’ve met along the way, though… I like seeing them and then racing against them.
What is your favourite track Connor?
Good question, I think my favourite track would have to be in Williams Lake. I love the higher speeds and larger jumps, especially in the back section. That track is definitely fun to ride.
These days the tracks have a lot of cool obstacles. What parts of the track do you like the most?
I like to take the higher speed jumps and tabletops at most of the tracks, but I’m not really a fan of the deep sand and large whoops that some tracks have.
If you had to pick one jump that you love, which one would it be?
I really like hitting the 100 footer in Terrace, but the pit jump is also cool. Also, the start /finish at Williams Lake is a lot of fun; you can really hit them fast. I don’t know, can I pick three jumps?
Sure you can, three is better than one. Okay, so before the start of a race, do you like things calm or rocking?
I like to take my mind off of the race, so I hang out and play with my friends. My Dad says I should relax a bit but I like to have fun. So I guess it’s a little of both or right in the middle.
What are you usually thinking about while the thirty second board is up?
I am usually thinking about the holeshot and the line I want to run. I go through the motions in my head.
Would you rather holeshot and win or come from behind and win?
I would rather holeshot and win. I think a great start makes for an easier race and you’re not as worried about the other riders and what you have to do to pass them.
Also, when you holeshot and lead the entire race you stay clean. Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?
A lot of people do, especially the kids in grade 4 and 5. They think that I’m lucky that I get to travel so much and miss school. They all wish me luck when I leave class early to get an early start on the road.
Awesome! That must make you feel great. What is your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subject is P.E. We have a lot of fun, especially outdoors and there is no homework. I also like computer class because we learned a lot in that class.
Favourite thing to do other than ride a dirt bike?
During the summer when I’m not riding I’m at the bike park either on my BMX or scooter, or at the soccer field. During the winter I play hockey. It’s really fun and I really like the battle drills in practice, and the games.
Sounds like you’re a very active kid. Connor, thanks again for doing this and sorry to say this but it’s time for the final question. Who would you like to thank?
I really would like to thank Cycle North and especially Kourtney Lloyd, TroyLee Designs, Motofist, Treasure Cove Casino (PG), Northern Gateway, Canadian Kawasaki, Mongoose, Matirx, FMF, Parts Canada, Rekluse. I would also like to thank Issac Elmore and Ross Johnson for the help and riding tips that they offered to me this year, and especially my Dad, he’s definitely my biggest fan.
