Ontario rider Sam Gaynor is one of the many very fast 85cc kids that battle hard each and every weekend. After a lot of success early in his racing career, Sam has battled a few injuries in the past couple of years that have forced him to frequently play catch-up. However, with a strong work ethic and a deep belief in himself, Sam has come back from each of these injuries and found his way to the front of the pack. MXP is featuring Sam for this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Amateur Profile.
Currently, I’m 14 years old and I live in Erin, Ontario – it is a small town about an hour west of Toronto.
How long have you lived there?
I have lived in Erin my entire life, in the same house. You could say I am a country boy at heart, I don’t enjoy being in the city.
What class do you ride and how long have you been riding?
I started riding at 4 years-old on a PW 50. I used to make my Dad shovel the driveway so I could ride my dirt bike, I was hooked. I currently race in the Super Mini class and the 85cc 12-16 class.
Every time we saw you on the track this past season you were flying. How do you think your 2014 season went?
My 2014 season started off rough with an injury, but I worked my way back and won some motos and overalls during the CMRC Provincial and Walton Qualifiers. I finished 2nd overall at the MMRS National in both the Super Mini and 85cc classes. At Walton, I struggled with mechanical problems but managed a top five finish in one of my motos in the 85cc class. That’s racing, so they say, and now I feel strong and healthy. I’m looking forward to this coming season.
You mentioned that you’ve been riding for a while. What are some of your past racing highlights?
There have been many highlights in my racing career thus far, but the ones that really stick out are winning the 50cc 7-8 Championship at the 2009 Parts Canada TransCan, winning the KTM Junior SX Challenge in Montreal and finishing second in the Toronto KTM Junior SX Challenge.
I have also been fortunate enough to get podium finishes at Walton over the past few years. In 2012, I won the Wiseco Most Improved Rider of the Week, which was a real honour considering the talent of racers competing at that event Walton.
Wow, you’ve had a pretty successful career so far. You’ve obviously ridden on a lot of tracks, which one is your favourite?
That’s a hard question to answer as I’ve enjoyed racing throughout this Province and in the United States. I would have to say in Canada my favourite would be Moto Park, and in the United States it would be County Line Raceway down in Florida.
These days the tracks have a lot of cool obstacles. What parts of the track do you like the most?
I really enjoy the corners with inside and outside berms because there are options for passing, and you can go really fast railing the berms. Moto Park has a few of those types of corners and I really love them. I also like rhythm sections that allow you to get into the flow of the track. County Line Raceway has sections like that so that is probably why those two tracks are my favourites.
So I’m assuming your favourite jump would come from one of those tracks.
Of course, my favourite jump would have to be the triple in the rhythm section at County Line Florida because it just seems to flow so well.
Do you like things calm before the race or rocking?
Before a race I like it calm so I can focus and think about the race. I can never eat before a race, I just need to try to relax.
What are you usually thinking about while the thirty second board is up?
I just think about the first lap and try to sprint. Other than that I try to clear my mind.
Would you rather holeshot and win or come from behind and win?
Well, winning is great no matter how you get there but if I was given the choice I would rather come from behind as I find it more challenging, and it looks cool and makes for a good race.
That’s a great answer. Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?
Yes, there are only 600 kids in my school and I have grown up in the same small town so everyone knows I am a dirt bike racer.
That’s cool, I used to go to a fairly small school also and everyone knew everyone. What is your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subject would have to be gym as there is no paperwork!
I have to say that’s not the first time that I’ve heard that answer from a motocross rider. What is your favourite thing to do other than dirt bike ride?
I am a goalie in hockey, I ride BMX bikes, road cycling, I am on the wrestling team at school, I like to fish, I take drum lessons and hang with my friends at school. Soon I’m getting a bull dog puppy and am looking forward to teaching her to swim, ride skateboards and take her to races. I also work as a hockey referee and time keeper to save up and help out with expenses for all of my favourite activities.
You are definitely one busy kid Sam, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Okay, final question, who would you like to thank?
I have been very fortunate in my race career and I would like to thank my Mom, Dad (mechanic), sister, family and friends and everyone who has cheered me on over the years, as well as Machine Racing, Abbott and Costello, Forma Boots, Wilson Ponds, Barefoot Racing, Defiance Lifestyle, Jon Cornwell, Josh Cox and everyone that lets me practice at their tracks.
Finally, I would also like to extend my thanks to MXP magazine for giving Amateur racers the opportunity to showcase themselves and support racing.Y