5 Minutes with ... Mitch Cooke

May 04, 2005

By Allison Kennedy

Mitch Cooke has a new home on the Blackfoot team for the 2005 season.

Photo: Allison Kennedy

Last year when the Blackfoot rig rolled into Nanaimo, BC, Dusty Klatt was the rookie. The team had high hopes for Klatt and he lived up to everyone's expectations. In 2005, the team has signed easterner Mitch Cooke. Cooke turned heads in the 250 class last season and finished the season with a podium finish at Walton. He’s looking to impress Blackfoot in the 250 class out west and to live up to their high hopes for him this season. We caught up with Mitch at his home in Nova Scotia, gearing up for Wednesday night motos at the Pleasant Valley track.

RXC: Hey Mitch. How are things? What’s up?

Mitch Cooke: Good, I’m just at home, going to the gym—actually I’m not even going to say that. I’m eating burgers and sitting on my butt watching TV. [laughs] It’s good. No seriously…I’m just at home riding and training and stuff.

How long have you been home?

I’ve been home for a month.

Where were you this winter?
I was in California for two months and then I left there in March and went to Florida for a month.

Where were you riding in California?
Just at the main tracks, Perris and Lake Elsinore and all those ones. I was staying with my buddy Derek Sorenson and his wife Karen.

How did that go?

It was really good. California is cool. Track wise it’s really good, and riding wise it was good. But the people there…I don’t like California in general. I really enjoyed Florida. It was a good winter though. What can you complain about when you were riding all winter?

So you had Blackfoot practice bikes all winter?

Yeah, I drove to Calgary and picked up my practice bikes instead of waiting for them to get shipped.  I really wanted to ride so I just drove there and picked them up, it was 80 hours or something.

Tell me a little bit about when the deal with Blackfoot came about?

Joe Skidd approached me when I podiumed at Walton. He asked me if I’d would ever want to ride for Blackfoot and I was like “Oh yeah!” In the original offer, they wanted me to just be a 125 rider and I didn’t want to do that. Then they said I could ride the 250 class and depending on my results, we’d decide if I would ride 125 East. Hopefully I can step it up in the 250 class so I don’t have to ride 125.

That’s obviously your goal—you’ve always been happier on a 250?

Yeah for sure. I’m sure Blackfoot’s 250F is one of the best out there so I’m sure I could do well on one of those too but I’d rather ride all the 250 nationals.

Since you signed with them after Walton, not too many people have seen you as part of the Blackfoot team. Have you had a chance to get to know them?

I know everybody on the team pretty well. I was there for four days when I signed the contract in October and then I was with the team for the three BC arenacross races. Then I was there again when I went to pick up my bikes and stuff. It’s such an awesome team. There are such good people there too. Everyone is always thinking that Blackfoot is intense but really all they want to do is win—that’s why they are serious at the races—that’s what they are there for right? I like everybody and I’m happy.

Are you meeting up with the team soon to start testing?

Yeah, the team is flying to California on May 14 for testing.

What’s the plan for Hangtown?

I’m going to be riding the 250 class at Hangtown.

There’s been a lot of hype about Dusty riding Hangtown, it’s his first AMA national. Is this your first AMA national?

No, I rode one before at Binghamton a long time ago. I just wanted to qualify for it. I qualified really well…but I was young. This will be my first AMA national with a good team behind me and stuff.

How are you feeling about Hangtown?

I’m happy. There couldn’t be a better way to start the year. It’s a good way to give yourself a check, see if you’re in shape, and get ready for the first Canadian national. And ride the new bike—ride the race bike. I’m sure it will be good.

What kind of finish are you hoping for?

Same as always, as long as I ride good and I feel good, I’ll be happy. What else can you really ask for? As long as you ride good and you feel good, you’ve got nothing to complain about really. If that happens, you’ll usually do well too.

How have you been feeling on the bike in general?

I feel good. I hate answering that question. I see all these interviews where people are saying they are this many seconds a lap faster than this person, saying they are riding good and this is their year. I don’t know. We’ll see. I feel good so we’ll just see what happens. I’ve been doing my homework. That’s it. That’s all I can say.

In the past, you’ve described yourself as not taking things seriously enough. What is your approach now that you’ve been given this opportunity with Blackfoot?

Well I’m definitely older and I know I have to take this opportunity and go with it. It’s good. Everything is just different. I’m older and I’m more mature and I know what has to be done. I know what I have to do, so as long as I do it…it should be good.

What are your goals for the season then?
Just to ride good and consistent. That’s it—and to stay healthy and make Blackfoot and myself happy.

What have you been up to at home?

There aren’t really any races going on around here at the moment. We have Wednesday night motos at my family's track tonight. That’s where I am right now, just watching everyone else working, I just got back from the gym. The first Atlantic race was last weekend but I had bronchitis. I’ve just been riding every single day, going to the gym everyday, oh and skateboarding since I’ve been home.

Thanks Mitch. I hope you’re looking forward to the season as much as we are. We’ll see you soon.

Thanks. It should be good. I can’t wait. I’m ready to be racing.

Cooke in his Blackfoot Honda debut at the Chilliwack AX.

Photo: Allison Kennedy