JANUARY 31, 2007
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It's never too early: Joe Skidd is hard at work as Blackfoot goes blue. |
By Allison Kennedy
Photos courtesy of Blackfoot
When Blackfoot made the official announcement that they'd turn blue in 2007, the real work started for Joe Skidd and the rest of the tech crew. While the race season is still months away, making the switch from one manufacturer to another is a huge job for any race team, especially one that thrives on being prepared. We caught up with Joe to find out how the Blackfoot crew is making the switch to Yamaha and how they expect to be win-ready not just race-ready in Ste-Julie.
RXC: It’s a full-on blizzard at my house today, but I have a feeling you are in full-on motocross mode there in Eastern Ontario.
Joe Skidd: Indeed it is. I’m in my workshop with suspension on the bench coming up with our first setup. I rode the stock bikes in November and have a few ideas of what we will need to work on to make these machines even better.
The Blackfoot Yamaha deal was made official on Dec 31. What were your initial thoughts on the team going blue?
We were all stoked! “H” had not really shown any interest in our results for quite some time. The Yamaha folks were super enthusiastic right from our initial conversations. The rig and awning needed attention anyway to meet Jason Mitchell’s standards. Perfect timing for a colour change.
Blackfoot was a Honda team from 2000 to 2006. The team must have known those bikes inside and out. How much work is it to make the switch to Yamaha?
There’s no getting around the fact that it’s an enormous task. However, we are well equipped for such challenges. Andrew McLean, Peter Keeping and the new addition of Jeff Mason [Blackfoot's lead tech from their road race team who has moved over to the MX side] are all built for this type of thing. They are knowledgeable, motivated, organized and extremely hard working men. Back this up with help from repeat techs Jon Balducci, Anthony Turner and Derek Sorkilmo, we are very fortunate to have this depth of talented resources.
Where do you start?
That one was easy, clean house! Anything red needed to go away ASAP. In years past, the residual product at the end of the racing season provided us with a huge head start on the next season. This transition changed our entire time line. When we made our announcement at Walton about the end of the “H” era, we didn’t have anything happening at all, only hope. What needed to happen first was going to be the same whether or not anyone wanted to hire the team. Most of us were under contract until the end of December, so that meant everything had to go by then, in case of lay offs. Jon came out from B.C. and helped get a lot of bikes ready for sale. All in last year, we used between 20 and 30 bikes for our program, they all had to be sold, and they are. Also, left over spares needed to be catalogued and dealt with.
What’s been happening in the race shop?
Well, the dealership is really cranking! We’ve been in the way there for a long time. We take up a lot of space there that they need. As we were disassembling the race team and purging material, managers at the dealership had designs on space that was becoming available and Blackfoot is expanding again. When we were sure that Yamaha was serious about hiring the team, we started looking for a new home and we found one! A really, really awesome one. We have been moving in for about two weeks and should be settled in soon. Things will be better than ever with access to some new equipment, tools and enough space to be truly efficient.
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JSR's first practice bike has been shipped for his training trip south. |
I know a shipment of practice bikes has gone out already. To which riders and when?
JSR and Colton have already received their first few bikes. JSR’s were early to meet his logistical needs of his winter plans and Colt’s were just in time for his return from overseas endeavors.
Have you had any feedback from the riders yet or is it too early for that?
Colt rode a future west arenacross on the weekend, both classes. Balducci was on hand to get him off on the right foot and things went really well. A few clicks on the shock and we were right there. He lead every corner of every lap, both nights.
Along with Colt, Nick Evennou is also new to the team. What are you thoughts on the new riders joining the Blackfoot squad?
We look forward to working with Nick and Colt. It’s great to have new riders to work with. Obviously we enjoy keeping our veterans that just seamlessly blend into the team, but the young guys present a particular challenge. We are very clear with our new riders about our approach and expectations. Nick seems up for it and so does Colton.
To some, it might seem early to be testing for the Canadian Nationals. Why is it so crucial to get things moving as quickly as possible?
That’s a huge question. Suffice it to say that preparation is everything. Add the all new design work for the bikes and transporter, moving the race shop and starting from zero with new bikes, toss in a few new sponsors and you’ve got a mountain of work. That just takes time, better to get it all done sooner than later.
What are your goals for the team at the season opener this year?
Collectively, the team is motivated to win. We will work very hard to pick up where we left off last season.
What’s the plan for testing this spring?
Testing will be tailored to the needs of the individual riders. We want to make sure the riders are 100 percent satisfied.
Overall, do you consider the switch to Yamaha an opportunity or a challenge?
Both! For many years, Blackfoot has enjoyed a stellar relationship with Yamaha on the dealership level which compliments opportunity. There is another opportunity here with the launch of Blackfoot Direct. Blackfoot Direct is one of the new main sponsors of the team. It is a new, online retail outlet that gives access to the incredible deals that Blackfoot has to offer, that in the past were only available to locals. The challenge on the racing side is to be as prepared in St. Julie 2007 as we were in Walton 2006, a challenge we are ready to take.
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The Blackfoot crew is keeping an eye on Dusty Klatt. |
With supercross in full swing, have you been keeping an eye on Dusty Klatt?
Of course! Dusty is part of the family and we have spent a lot of time and effort to help him get there. It’s like sending a kid off to school. You’ve given them the best tools you can and the rest is squarely on his shoulders. I know the stress on him is tremendous with so many people hoping for great things from him. The truth is, what he is trying to achieve is way harder than most people think ... way harder! I know he will try his best. Dusty always did what was asked of him during his three years with our team, even when he didn’t like it or agree with it. That kind of loyalty has basically earned him a large parachute. If Dusty ever wants to come home, we’ll have a spot for him.
Any reflections on Blackfoot’s supercross experience?
Hmmmm, another huge question! Having participated in 2002 in the SX class with veterans JSR and Heath Voss and then again in 2006 in the lites class with new comers Dusty Klatt and Mitch Cooke, let’s say we learned a lot! Supercross is really fun, really hard and really dangerous. In a nut shell, I would say it's a useful experience for vets, a distraction and potential heart break for young Canadians. It takes thick skin to try and try and try, and then not succeed, and still believe in yourself when you come home from five months of the hardest work you’ve ever done with no real success to show for it.
Could you see the team winding up there again?
When supercross becomes a specialty that can sustain a team for 12 months of the year on its own, we may be interested in returning. Like Reeds new situation. As it is now, most teams have to participate in the U.S. outdoor nationals to sustain themselves. This translates into 30 weekends per year of racing. Add testing to that and you’ve got a schedule that doesn’t allow time to live like a human being unless you’ve got enough resources for a lot of staff. It’s great for young guys just out of school. I can’t physically go that hard anymore with what would be on the plate.Truthfully, we are happy to focus on Canadian outdoor nationals, developing young Canadian riders. We have the right backing to do that successfully. Stretching resources any thinner than that, only reduces our chance of success here at home.
Thanks Joe and we'll see you at Ste-Julie.
Thanks.
