5 Minutes with ... Blackfoot's Jason Mitchell

May 14 , 2005

Story and Photo by Jason T. Griffiths

The Blackfoot Honda team is putting the final touches on their 2005 race efforts. Being that it is May 14, the team is only one week away from their first big test: Hangtown.  Although the team has done a good job of resisting temptation to address the potential Hangtown holds for a few of the younger riders on the team, the rest of the e-moto world has been waiting impatiently to see Dusty Klatt, Mitchell Cooke and Donnie McGourty make their 2005 debut.  All three of these riders have the potential to win in Canada and with the new Honda equipment that the team and PR2 have been working on, the riders also have great potential to open some eyes in Hangtown.  We caught up with Blackfoot’s Jason Mitchell to get the latest word on the team and their thoughts on Hangtown.

RXC: Hangtown is but a week away. How are you feeling?
Jason Mitchell: I guess it is more how is the team feeling, and everything is good. We have a busy week scheduled that is for sure ... actually the semi left on Wednesday this week as the team is doing our annual photo shoot with all the riders at Castillo Ranch in California this Monday to Wednesday. We will be doing all our poster shots, media shots, marketing and advertising shots as well as video footage for the TV commercial. We’ll also be doing our final race motor and suspension setups before heading to Hangtown for next weekend.

The team has had a busy winter preparing for the upcoming Canadian nationals and Hangtown. Do you think the team is where you want it to be?
Definitely. We are more prepared than ever. Our team has been working very hard over the winter and we have made some very positive changes within the team and with our sponsors over the last eight months or so which I know is going to greatly enhance our program. Joe, Andrew, Dean and the rest of the staff know what it takes to be prepared and have done a great job.

You’ve been pretty tight lipped lately about the team going to Hangtown. It’s a big deal. Have you been trying to hold back the hype?
I don't think we have been tight-lipped, nor do we think it is such a big deal. Our team has done over 35 AMA or world-class events and has the experience that is necessary to reach the goals we have set for Hangtown. We just have been really focused on doing what it takes to defend our titles in Canada and Hangtown is just part of our preparation process. I am sorry that it comes across as being tight lipped ... it is more like the team has been super busy with the program ensuring everything is ready for all of our sponsors, supporters and riders. If everyone on the team has done their job, we should have success.

The Blackfoot Honda team was way ahead of all the other teams when it came to signing riders this year. How has it been sitting back watching the rest of teams compete to sign riders during the silly season?
Really, I have not thought about it that much nor do we follow it that close. I guess it is kind of like the NHL draft—the top picks go first. We try and only deal with the things we can change—not the things that we cannot change.

I have to think with then number of riders you have, 2005 has to be the biggest effort you’ve ever put into the team?
Every year is a big effort from everyone on the team and 2005 is no different. I think we are more experience that ever before from a staff and rider point of view, which makes everyone set higher goals within the team. I think you will be impressed with the equipment and presentation for this year as all our sponsors and team members have put in a lot of work this year.

So here is the big question: Clear Channel has announced the WSX is coming back to Toronto and Vancouver. Are plans in the works to send the team this year?
Our main focus right now is the Canadian series however we are open to discuss the possibility of doing both these events with our sponsors, Clear Channel and our riders. No one has contacted us to date in regards to these events.

And are plans still moving forward for the AMA Supercross?
We would really like to race in Supercross again in either the 125 East or 125 West series and are working on things to ensure we can put together a competitive team.

Thanks for your time.  We’ll hold off making the “Blackfoot, Believe the Hype” t-shirts although I must say we’re ready to wave the flag at Hangtown. See you there.
Thank you Jason for your time, and congrats on the continued success of Racer X Canada.