Yamaha Motor Canada’s Wednesday Amateur Profile- Tanner Ward

Ontario rider Tanner Ward has been racing dirt bikes for over a decade. In that time he’s won multiple Parts Canada TransCan titles as well numerous other races. After riding Hondas for the last few seasons, for 2015 Tanner will be the very first member of the new Canada Orange Brigade KTM Canada Team. We caught up with Tanner for this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd. Amateur Profile as he was fresh off the 2015 KTM Canada Team introduction in Montreal this past weekend.

MXP: How are you Tanner? Can we start off by you giving us your age and where your hometown is located?

TW: I’m doing great, thanks for asking. Right now I’m 15-years-old and I’m from Woodstock, Ontario.

How long have you lived there?

I’ve always lived right outside the city, and then two years ago we moved right here into the city.

Woodstock seems like a nice city, it’s not too far from some of the Ontario tracks. What class do you ride now and how long have you been riding?

This season I will be riding the Super Mini and Schoolboy classes on a brand new KTM. Oh, and I’ve been riding for 12 years, so since I was three-years-old.

These days everyone seems like they’re training hard. What have you been doing during the off-season to prepare for the 2015 racing season?

I’ve been training at the Jetwerx compound in Morton, Mississippi with Kyle Thompson, Taylor Ciampichini and everyone at FrankFit. It’s great down there, a lot of work but also a lot of fun.

I’ve heard those guys are great. I know you’ve had a lot of success during your career so far. What are some of your past racing highlights?

I have won three titles at the Parts Canada TransCan: 50cc 7-8, 65cc 10-11 and the 85cc 12-16. I finished 17th at Loretta Lynn’s in 65cc 10-11 Stock and Mod classes; racing that event is very cool. Also racing the Monster Energy Cup was a really big highlight in my career. I didn’t really finish as high as I wanted but it was still fun to go to Vegas to race.

You’ve obviously rode a lot of tracks, do you have a favourite one?

Yes, for sure. It would have to be Walton Raceway. I loved racing there and I love how rutted that track gets.

It certainly does get rutted. You’re on a new bike this season. What are your goals for the 2015?

Well, beginning this weekend, I really want to get top five at the Daytona Amateur Supercross. I know it’s early in the season, however I’ve been working hard so it would be great to start off the season strong. After that I hope to get some top-fives at the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National; that would be a big achievement for me. Then in August I’d love to win a title at the 2015 Parts Canada TransCan in the Super Mini and Schoolboy classes.

Well, hopefully you can pull it off, that would certainly be a good season. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given so far in racing and who gave it to you?

If I stay focused and determined, I’ll go a long way. I’ve actually had a lot of people tell me that including my Dad, Taylor Ciampichini and Kyle Thompson.

That is very good advice. Tell me Tanner, do you like music? What is your favourite music?

Yes, right now I’m into a lot of rap, however sometimes I like to mix it up with some country and Taylor Swift.

I actually just tried to listen to the new Taylor Swift album the other day, it was tough to listen to (laughs). Here’s another good question. What are you usually thinking about while the thirty second board is up?

Not too much. Usually I’m just reminding myself that I need to get a good start and then I focus on getting the holeshot.

Do you play video games? If so, what is your video game of choice?

Definitely MX simulator, it’s the best game I’ve ever played, for sure.

Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?

I’m actually home schooled now, but when I went last year there were a few people who raced; they knew me and the word got around that I raced.

Okay, what is your favourite subject that you study with school?

I’d have to say Science. I really like it because it’s so hands on.

I think you’re the first rider to tell us that Science is their favourite subject. What is your favourite thing to do other than ride a dirt bike?

That’s an easy one Palms, definitely riding my scooter at the skate park with my friends.

That’s awesome Tanner! Okay, final question and then you can get back to training. Who would you like to thank?

Royal Distributing , Fox Canada , KTM Canada, GE, Dunlop , FMF, CL brakes, Rekluse, Kutvek Amerika, Averna, Motorex, Dubya, DID, Matrix, DT1, Acerbis, Racetech, Frank Fit, MX Schools, Jetwerx, Atlas Brace and Dragon Goggles.