Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
In our continuing look at some of this country’s fast, young riders, we head to the land of cowboys and oil. For this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Amateur Profile, we travel west to the province of Alberta. Twelve year-old Tallon Unger is a former WCAN Champion who competed this year in the 85cc 7-11 class in the very spread out Alberta Provincial Series. We caught up with Tallon to ask him our 15 questions as he was relaxing after a very successful 2014 season.
MXP: Hey Tallon, glad we were able to catch up with you. Let’s start off by telling us how old you are and where you live?
TU: Currently I am twelve years-old and I live in Langdon, Alberta.
How long have you lived there?
I moved to Calgary in 2004 and then we moved to Langdon four years ago. We like it here, although it gets a little cold in the winter.
I’m from Ontario so I know exactly what you mean. What class do you ride and how long have you been riding?
I am currently racing the 85cc 7-11 and the Super Mini class. I’ve been racing in the 85 class since I was seven and I just started actually competing on a real super mini this past season. The bigger bike is a little different but so far I like it.
How did your 2014 racing season go?
This year I finished third overall in the 85cc 7-11 class but missed the last two rounds due to ankle injury. In the Super Mini class I ended up sixth overall, which I thought was pretty good considering it was my first year in that class.
That’s very good, it’s never easy racing a new bike and against older kids. As you said, you’ve been racing for a few years now. What are some of your past racing highlights?
In 2009 I was selected out of the Alberta racers to compete in the KTM Mini Stars Challenge at the Montreal Supercross. Racing in that huge stadium in front of all those fans was awesome. Also that same year I won the 50cc 4-6 class at the Western Canadian Amateur Nationals in Raymond, Alberta. I also won the Ryno Power Charge Life Award from Medicine Hat this past summer too.
Very nice work Tallon. I bet you’ve ridden a lot of tracks. Which one is your favourite?
Good question, I think my favourite track to ride is in California called Cahuilla Creek. It’s my favourite because I like the type of dirt and the flow of the track with smooth jumps and rhythm sections.
Although I’ve never ridden there, I’ve heard great things about it. These days the tracks have a lot of cool obstacles. What parts of the track do you like the most?
My favourite part of the track is the jumps because I like the feeling when you jump them perfectly. I also really like the whoops when they’re set up so I can try and skim through them.
Sounds like you’re going to be a good Supercross rider in the future. Of all the jumps you’ve hit, which one is your favourite?
My favourite jump is on the Raymond track here in Alberta. This jump is a double that is right after a big bowl turn. It’s fun because you can do whips and scrubs off it!
I haven’t been to Raymond since 2000; that was before you were born. Do you like things calm before the race or rocking?
Before the race I like things to be calm and quiet so that I can focus and get ready.
What are you usually thinking about while the thirty second board is up?
When the thirty second board goes up I am thinking about getting a good jump off the gate drop and the holeshot.
Would you rather holeshot and win or come from behind and win?
I would rather come from behind and win because it would be more of a challenge, and I like to battle with other riders.
I agree with you, sometimes it is fun to battle through the pack. Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?
Yes, my friends at school all know that I race motocross, but some of them don’t understand the difference between racing and trail riding. I also think that some kids think that riding is easy. I have a good group of friends, though, that think it’s really cool that I race dirt bikes.
That sounds like how my school was. What is your favourite subject at school?
My favourite class in school is wood shop because of all the cool things you can make.
In all the interviews I’ve done with kids, I’ve never had anyone say wood shop. I love it! Okay, we’re almost done here. Favourite thing to do other than ride a dirt bike?
Some of my favourite things to do outside of riding a dirt bike are downhill-mountain biking and downhill skiing! I really like these because of the jumps and speed.
You sound like a 12 year-old adrenaline junkie! Well Tallon, thank you for doing this and please be safe doing all your high energy sports. Final question for you, who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank Mom and Dad for taking me to all the races, Kawasaki Canada for allowing me to be a Team Green rider, FXR Racing for the great riding gear, Ryno Power sports supplements, Pro Circuit and Blackfoot Motosports.
