5 Minutes with ... Ryan Lockhart

April 28, 2005

Danny Brault

The 'Newf' has a newfound confidence for the 2005 season. | Photo: Cameron Baird

Thanks to his third and fifth place finishes at the World Supercross rounds last fall, Ryan Lockhart received a ride from the Richmond Kawasaki team. During the winter, the Newf escaped the cold winter up north and has been living and training with Sean Hamblin in California. After an up and down year in 2004, the 20-year-old has changed his mindset and is confident with his new bikes, team and physical conditioning for this year. We spoke with the Nova Scotia native as he was preparing for a team photo shoot.

Hey Ryan, what’s going on—are you still out west?

Yeah, I’m at Sean Hamblin’s house in California.

What’s going on today?
Actually, in about 20 minutes, we’re heading over to Perris Raceway to shoot photos for our posters and break in our race bikes. I’ve just been testing the past couple weeks, getting ready for the first Canadian national.

Sean’s been out for a while now. When does he return?

He hurt himself in Orlando, but he’s going to Houston this weekend. He’s actually out at the Kawi track right now.

Being in California, you must hit a lot of supercross tracks?

Not really, I haven’t ridden any supercross stuff, other than Sean’s track a bit.

Have you had a chance to get out and test your speed against some fast guys?

Oh it’s nuts, you name it they’re’ here—Nick Wey, Millsaps, Hepler, Tortelli, McGrath, all of them. It’s the same every time, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays are the busiest.

Wow, you must love it out there…

Oh it’s been great. I definitely want to be here next winter. Florida’s good, but this is the place to be.

What’s your speed like compared to the guys you mentioned?

It made me realize, being down here, these guys that are making $100,000 a year aren’t what people think they are. I mean they get the job done, but they’re not that much better. It’s so close, from a guy making $30,000 to $100,000—it’s only a second a lap.

So how are you feeling at the moment?

I’m happy where I’m at. I’ve been working hard this winter and I’m ready to go. I wish the nationals were starting right now!

How do you like the new bikes?

They’re great—we’ve tested a lot. It’s the first year I’ve really done any testing. I’m feeling good and hoping to surprise a lot of people this year.

In the past few years you looked fast and smooth, but it seemed you were maybe lacking some fitness…

Oh definitely—for sure. I’m not going to sit here and lie and say I was in good shape. It’s hard—you get by on your natural talent for so long, then one day you realize, ‘hey I’m not going to get any faster if I don’t start training.’ It’s hard to get over that obstacle that you have to train, you know—it’s not fun training.

Well I think in the past, before the Americans came up, riders could get away without training and went on natural talent…

In 1999 when we were riding both classes, and Blair and Doug were winning—they never trained. They just rode their bikes—that’s all they did. Then in 2000, the Americans showed up and everyone was like, "Holy crap, what’s going on?" I know I was that way. It’s gotten so much more serious, which is good; like it.

What changes would you like see made to the Canadian series?

With the TV stuff it’s good. The Americans watch it and like it. But I think it’s frustrating when I guy goes out, wins a 125 moto and makes $400. What's $400? That doesn’t even cover your expenses for the weekend. Its really tough. Maybe the fans and people in the industry think we’re making big money, but that’s not always the case. I think more money could be put into the series, you know, you get something like $10 for 20th place—that doesn’t even cover your entry fee and now the entry fees have gone up this year! It’s not bad for me because I have a ride, but three or four years ago when I was doing it, it wasn’t even worth doing the nationals—I wasted my money. I was better off doing local races. But I think this year they will pay better.

Now that you’re with Richmond, will you be flying to all the rounds?

Yeah I’ll be flying in and out quite a bit, but I will stay on the road for the two B.C. rounds. I have a lot of friends there. For the rest of the rounds I’ll go back home. It’s easier going back home, you get more accomplished, sleep in your own bed, ride your practice bike and ride your own track.

Wow, you sound really pumped for this season…

Oh definitely, I’ve never had an opportunity like this before. The bikes are great, the team is really supportive and everything is going good. This time last year I was racing every weekend, traveling here and there and I’m not going to do that this year. I’m going to try and do a couple little races, but other than that just wait for the first round and not get burned out.

What goals have you set for yourself this year?

Based on last year, my 250 results at the first two rounds were decent. I wasn’t on a bike that I felt comfortable with, and things are just going to be better this year. Last year I could finish in the top ten, but this year I think I can do top five. Sean has been helping me out a lot as far as riding goes. I just feel like a totally different rider and person. This past winter I’ve matured quite a bit.

You seem really confident, that’s good…

I do, and it’s not cockiness—it’s good confidence. I’ve been riding with fast guys and surrounded myself with good people. I’m hoping to do the full 250 series—if I do well in the west. But I think I can win the 125 East title if I race that series. Last year I was close, but I was riding hurt.

Where did you get hurt last year?

I broke my fibula at Calgary, and then took three weeks off. I rebroke it at RJ’s and just kept racing. I had to pull out before Walton, I was too freakin’ sore.

Riding with an injury like that must have been painful…

Oh, it was deadly—unbelievable pain! I couldn’t handle it some days, I was just freaking out. I didn’t want to be there, but I kind of had to be. It wasn’t a good deal, but it was my fault; I came back too soon. I got some good press out of it anyways. [Laughs]

From the sounds of things, the two World Supercross rounds will be coming back to Canada again. Will we see you at those events again? What about AMA Supercross?

Oh for sure. I want do supercross down here and I’ll definitely be at the two Canadian rounds. Not too sure yet on what coast, it depends on the deals. One way or another, though, I’ll be doing supercross or arenacross. But I just want to get the nationals over first. I plan on coming back here next winter. I don’t know how to do supercross really well so I’ll ride down here riding at Sean’s track.

Thanks for your time Ryan, and good luck at the nationals.

No problem, talk to you later.

Lockhart has spent the winter banging bars with the best in the business. | Photo: Cameron Baird