Five Minutes with ... Eric Nye
FEBRUARY 6, 2008
Five Minutes with ... Eric Nye Presented by BlackfootDirect.com
|
|
|
KTM Canada's Eric Nye is the King of Alberta Arenacross. |
|
|
By Danny Brault
Photos by Cheryl Adair
KTM Canada’s Eric Nye wrapped up a successful weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Royal Distributing/ KTM Canada rider won all four pro main events at the Alberta AX Championships. Nye’s been a regular on the Canadian circuit for three years now, and he’s returning this summer. Nye came real close to the MX2 West title last season, unfortunately, while three points back of Jimmy Nelson heading into Nanaimo, Nye’s title hopes were crushed with a first turn crash and a busted clutch lever. He ended the series in fifth overall. For 2008, with the series expanding to nine-rounds, Nye is working hard to win his first Canadian championship. We caught up with the Northern Californian to see how his experience in Lethbridge went and what we can expect from him in the Canadian Nationals.
RXC: Eric, you had a great weekend at the Alberta Arenacross Championships, winning all four main events. How was your first experience in Lethbridge?
Eric Nye: It was good. I didn’t know what to expect going into it. I’ve never been to Lethbridge before, and didn't know it was going to be so cold! My goal going into the weekend was to win all four main events, and I accomplished that, so I was pretty happy.
I was going to ask if that is what you expected.
Yeah, I mean, I didn’t expect it—but that was my goal. I knew it was going to be tough, but I knew it was possible.
You didn’t have a great start in the AX1 final on Saturday, but you managed to come from around fifth or sixth to win. You told me at the podium you felt that was the best you had ridden all weekend.
Actually, I think I was back in seventh or eighth. I didn’t know if it would be possible, because it was so tight and hard to pass, to still win. I think I rode my best in that last main because I was making a lot of passes and making up time.
And you told me that you haven’t been riding much because it’s been raining where you live in Northern California?
Well, I haven’t been riding as much I would like to. I’ve still been riding more so than the people in Canada. But the weather has been pretty bad the last couple of weeks with the rain and everything.
How did you get hooked up to come to Lethbridge?
It came together through Alf from Lethbridge Honda. I guess he’s a fairly new KTM dealership, and he wanted to support a KTM rider. Him and Andy [White] talked and it worked out from there. And then Boyd [Carefoot], the Western Canadian rep, picked me up at the airport and helped me out all weekend.
What’s your take on the track and the event in general?
The event was good; everyone was really nice. It was a fun event. The track wasn’t too difficult, and it made it fun because everyone was pretty much on stock bikes.
You’ve signed on again with KTM Canada to race the nine-round MX2 series. After being only three points back of Jimmy Nelson heading into the final round of the West Coast series last year, you must feel that you’re a contender heading into `08.
Definitely. My goal is to win the championship. I’m not really thinking of anything else than that. I think the nine rounds will work to my advantage. I just need to be consistent. I think my speed will be there; I’ve been working hard in the off-season, I’m working with a trainer, and putting in 100 percent into winning.
Who do you see as your toughest competitors?
I don’t really know. Kyle Beaton is pretty fast and I’m sure he’s thinking of himself as a contender. I’m not really worrying about that and just trying to focus on what I need to do.
You’ve raced in Canada for three years now. What was your first impression of the series and what’s your take on it now? Or has it changed?
I didn't know what to think at first. I always heard about it; it gets good coverage in the States and a lot of people follow the series. I think it’s getting better and better, with more and more riders coming up. It’s a pretty legit series. Everyone loves watching the races on Speed; it’s good for motocross in Canada.
Not thinking of just sponsors, but the television coverage must be a cool novelty for the riders themselves.
Yeah, definitely. In the States, you know how competitive it is and you could be in fifth-place, which is awesome, but you won’t even make it on TV. They just show the first two guys the whole time. In Canada, they show every battle on the track, no matter what place they’re battling for.
Have your family, or friends, or girlfriend come up to Canada with you?
My family has yet to come to Canada, and they’ve never been there. My girlfriend came up with last year for a couple of races and she liked the experience. I think my parents will hopefully come up this year.
Have you made any contacts or friends that you keep in touch with up here?
Jimmy Nelson and I have always been friends, because we grew up racing the amateur races together. I’ve met a lot of friends, like Lockhart—he’s always a good time.
Will we see you racing the Toronto supercross in March?
Maybe. We haven’t really talked about it with Andy White, but it would be cool to do that race. I don’t have anything going on at that time, except practicing. It’s a good possibility; I hope to.
Anything to add, Eric?
I just want to say that I am really looking forward to racing the new nine round CMRC MX2 series up in Canada. I’m going to give it 100 percent to try and win the championship. I just want to thank Andy White and everyone that is part of the KTM/ Royal Distributing team. Along with MDK, AXO, FMF, Pirelli, Factory Connection, One Helmets, Ogio, EVS, Von Zipper, MADA Clothing, 180 decals, Truckerdeluxe.com, my new trainer Robb Wolf (Crossfitnorcal.com) and last and but not least my family and my girlfriend. A big thanks to Alf and Lethbridge KTM for their support at the arenacross!
Photos by Cheryl Adair
KTM Canada’s Eric Nye wrapped up a successful weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Royal Distributing/ KTM Canada rider won all four pro main events at the Alberta AX Championships. Nye’s been a regular on the Canadian circuit for three years now, and he’s returning this summer. Nye came real close to the MX2 West title last season, unfortunately, while three points back of Jimmy Nelson heading into Nanaimo, Nye’s title hopes were crushed with a first turn crash and a busted clutch lever. He ended the series in fifth overall. For 2008, with the series expanding to nine-rounds, Nye is working hard to win his first Canadian championship. We caught up with the Northern Californian to see how his experience in Lethbridge went and what we can expect from him in the Canadian Nationals.
RXC: Eric, you had a great weekend at the Alberta Arenacross Championships, winning all four main events. How was your first experience in Lethbridge?
Eric Nye: It was good. I didn’t know what to expect going into it. I’ve never been to Lethbridge before, and didn't know it was going to be so cold! My goal going into the weekend was to win all four main events, and I accomplished that, so I was pretty happy.
I was going to ask if that is what you expected.
Yeah, I mean, I didn’t expect it—but that was my goal. I knew it was going to be tough, but I knew it was possible.
You didn’t have a great start in the AX1 final on Saturday, but you managed to come from around fifth or sixth to win. You told me at the podium you felt that was the best you had ridden all weekend.
Actually, I think I was back in seventh or eighth. I didn’t know if it would be possible, because it was so tight and hard to pass, to still win. I think I rode my best in that last main because I was making a lot of passes and making up time.
And you told me that you haven’t been riding much because it’s been raining where you live in Northern California?
Well, I haven’t been riding as much I would like to. I’ve still been riding more so than the people in Canada. But the weather has been pretty bad the last couple of weeks with the rain and everything.
How did you get hooked up to come to Lethbridge?
It came together through Alf from Lethbridge Honda. I guess he’s a fairly new KTM dealership, and he wanted to support a KTM rider. Him and Andy [White] talked and it worked out from there. And then Boyd [Carefoot], the Western Canadian rep, picked me up at the airport and helped me out all weekend.
|
|
|
Nye (24) made some aggressive passes in Saturday's AX1 final to take the win. Here, local pro, Luke Firth (115), rubs paint with Nye. |
What’s your take on the track and the event in general?
The event was good; everyone was really nice. It was a fun event. The track wasn’t too difficult, and it made it fun because everyone was pretty much on stock bikes.
You’ve signed on again with KTM Canada to race the nine-round MX2 series. After being only three points back of Jimmy Nelson heading into the final round of the West Coast series last year, you must feel that you’re a contender heading into `08.
Definitely. My goal is to win the championship. I’m not really thinking of anything else than that. I think the nine rounds will work to my advantage. I just need to be consistent. I think my speed will be there; I’ve been working hard in the off-season, I’m working with a trainer, and putting in 100 percent into winning.
Who do you see as your toughest competitors?
I don’t really know. Kyle Beaton is pretty fast and I’m sure he’s thinking of himself as a contender. I’m not really worrying about that and just trying to focus on what I need to do.
You’ve raced in Canada for three years now. What was your first impression of the series and what’s your take on it now? Or has it changed?
I didn't know what to think at first. I always heard about it; it gets good coverage in the States and a lot of people follow the series. I think it’s getting better and better, with more and more riders coming up. It’s a pretty legit series. Everyone loves watching the races on Speed; it’s good for motocross in Canada.
Not thinking of just sponsors, but the television coverage must be a cool novelty for the riders themselves.
Yeah, definitely. In the States, you know how competitive it is and you could be in fifth-place, which is awesome, but you won’t even make it on TV. They just show the first two guys the whole time. In Canada, they show every battle on the track, no matter what place they’re battling for.
Have your family, or friends, or girlfriend come up to Canada with you?
My family has yet to come to Canada, and they’ve never been there. My girlfriend came up with last year for a couple of races and she liked the experience. I think my parents will hopefully come up this year.
Have you made any contacts or friends that you keep in touch with up here?
Jimmy Nelson and I have always been friends, because we grew up racing the amateur races together. I’ve met a lot of friends, like Lockhart—he’s always a good time.
Will we see you racing the Toronto supercross in March?
Maybe. We haven’t really talked about it with Andy White, but it would be cool to do that race. I don’t have anything going on at that time, except practicing. It’s a good possibility; I hope to.
Anything to add, Eric?
I just want to say that I am really looking forward to racing the new nine round CMRC MX2 series up in Canada. I’m going to give it 100 percent to try and win the championship. I just want to thank Andy White and everyone that is part of the KTM/ Royal Distributing team. Along with MDK, AXO, FMF, Pirelli, Factory Connection, One Helmets, Ogio, EVS, Von Zipper, MADA Clothing, 180 decals, Truckerdeluxe.com, my new trainer Robb Wolf (Crossfitnorcal.com) and last and but not least my family and my girlfriend. A big thanks to Alf and Lethbridge KTM for their support at the arenacross!
