By Allison Kennedy

We all know that motocross is a family sport. Behind most great racers is a devoted family that has sacrificed a lot to give their son or daughter the support they need to get to the next level. Kyle Stephens and Richard Grey are two of Ontario’s most promising young riders. Their fathers, Randy Stephens and Richard Grey Sr. are two of the most recognizable and committed moto-dads on the Ontario scene. You can often find these two together trackside or sitting by the campfire into the wee hours of the night. We caught up with Randy and Richard for this moto-dad edition of 2 Tribes. 

RXC: How did your family first get involved in the sport?
Randy Stephens: We were in the wrong place at the wrong time. [Laughs] We got Kyle a bike for the cottage. We were at that Eagles Nest track, and Kyle had been riding for about a month, the owner came up and told us there was a race there the next day. We said no. He’d only been riding a month, but Kyle was right there and he wanted to do it. So we came the next day, he raced that month to wrap up the year and he was hooked. That was that. It was never our intention to get him into it. We really were in the wrong place at the wrong time. [Laughs]

Richard Grey Sr: We bought Richard a 50 when he was five years old. He started riding a bike. We did one race that year, when he was six. We just started from there and it hasn’t ended … yet.

What do you remember about first meeting Randy/Richard?
Randy: He’s the guy you go to; he’ll answer all your questions. He’s a suspension specialist. [Laughs] I always bug him. He’s the man to go to.

Richard: He was pretty scary looking. He looked unapproachable. That’s what they always say about me so let’s go with that.

What do you remember about first meeting Kyle/Richard Jr?
Randy: That he was an amazing little rider, he was quick and he was going places. There are a few kids that stand right out … I guess when they are out front....

Richard: I was very impressed. Kyle is about two years older than Richard so he was always an age group ahead of Richard.

Describe your son’s riding style?
Randy: Slow. [Laughs] No. I guess smooth more than anything. That seems to sum it up.

Richard: How would I describe it or how do other people describe it? I think he’s smooth and he has finesse, he is very precise in everything he does. Other people say it just seems to come naturally to him. He just seems to be able to get on any bike and make it work. It seems like he’s not trying, but he goes pretty fast for not trying.

Best race day with your son?
Randy: I can’t really think of one over another, but any day where everyone is safe at the end of the day and driving home together. There’s been so many good times at the track. Seeing him do well is always great.

Richard: The best day and the worst day would probably be the third moto at Loretta’s. It is the best and the worst together. We went from being ecstatically happy to being incredibly sad, but it was a great experience.

Worst race day with your son?
Randy: Probably just when he is so hard on himself. You think he did excellent, he has an excellent race, good battles, win or lose, and then he is so hard on himself if he loses by a tire. Just stuff like that, and if he gets hurt.

Richard: I want to say Loretta’s again. The two go hand in hand. It’s a double-edged sword.

Which accomplishment has made you proudest of your son?
Randy: I guess when little kids or anyone comes up and asks him for advice and he’s helping them out. That’s a pretty good feeling.

Richard: I’ve had lots; it’s hard to pick one. I am always extremely happy every weekend just to get through a weekend of racing. He’s had great accomplishments, but every weekend, just coming home together is the biggest one.

Longest family motocross road trip?
Randy:  I guess it would be Loretta Lynn’s. I don’t think we’ve really ventured farther than that. It’s about 14 hours. They’ve been down to Florida, but I’ve never been on that journey. I guess if the National series is going east to west this year, we are in for the long haul. At least, Kyle is thinking he is. That will make those three hours on the weekends coming home seem like nothing.

Richard: Tracy actually went on the longest one; she drove to Texas. The longest we’ve been on as a family is to Florida for the Mini O’s. Texas is further, but Tracy did that by herself. [Laughs]

What advice do you normally give Kyle/Richard before they head to the line?
Randy: I usually just tell him to try his best and that I love him. That’s all I say. I never try to push him or anything like that. I don’t think that works very well. I always wonder what Kyle’s thinking when we go to the U.S. regionals. Everyone is threatening their kids and I’m just telling him good luck. It’s such a mental sport; I don’t think you want to be messing with their heads before they go out there.

Richard: I usually just tell him good luck, really. Usually if he needs to learn anything, that happens Monday to Friday, and come race time, it’s time for him to figure things out. I usually just tell him good luck and away you go.

Best advice you can give to other moto parents?
Randy: Just stand behind your kids. Sometimes they might need a little kick in the butt—to keep them focused—but just be positive with them and be there for them. That’s what we’ve done anyway.

Richard: There are so many highs and lows. Hopefully the good outweighs the bad.

Who gets more nervous, you or your wife?
Randy: With my current condition, I would say me, lately, anyway.

Richard: Tracy, by far.  

Who has been your biggest supporter outside your immediate family?
Randy: Chinny, he helps us out so much.

Richard: Richard’s grandma and grandpa. They pretty much come to every race. That’s still family but not too many kids are lucky enough to have their grandparents come to pretty much every race.

Your dream for your son in this sport?
Randy: In his eyes or mine? His dream is to become a pro and do well at motocross, so I guess for that to happen for him. But more than anything, I just want him to be healthy and happy. That’s it really. It’s great if they can fulfill their dreams. Right now it’s an excellent sport for him, there are good people, he eats healthy, stays out of trouble. It’s good when they are young and they find something that they really want to do.

Richard: I’d just like him to take it as far as he can and stay as healthy as he can. At this point, he seems happy enough. So I guess we just have to see how it all comes together. I just want him to stay safe and we’ll see where it takes him.

Words to live by?
Randy: Never, never quit.

Richard: Live life wide open.

Who stays up later at the fire?
Randy: That would be me.

Richard: That’s a catch 22. I can probably stay up longer than he can. It depends if you count sleeping in his chair…when he goes to his motorhome, now that’s a different story.