Along with any successful occupation comes a great amount of training hours and dedication to be the top of your field of study. As your knowledge progresses, you may begin to intern with a high profile business owner, or hope to learn whatever you possibly can from anyone that is known to be “a success” in the field in which you intend to work in, in the future.
Well, what if your intent is to become a successful Motocross Racer as a profession? Some riders may go “to college” at a training facility, or simply just learn how to be successful by doing it at the races week after week. Every racer on the track today has gone through an informal “apprenticeship,” when they got roosted by that local fast guy, and took that loss as a learning experience and got faster because of that.
What if you had the opportunity to train, and had the privilege to be put under the wing of two of the fastest men in the world to ever ride a motocross bike? Well just recently, a young man by the name of Eric Goodson got that opportunity to train with Ryan Dungey, and the G.O.A.T (Ricky Carmicheal), and has lined himself up for a successful future as a professional motocross racer. We at Novik Gloves are proud to announce the addition of Eric to our team, and caught up with him and his father to hear a little more about him. Enjoy!
Let’s start with the basics…who are you and how old are you?
Well my name is Eric Goodson, and I just turned 18 on July 27th!
It seems that recently your name is starting to show up here and there, where have you been and how long have you been racing and how has your success been so far?
Yeah, well I’ve been racing now for four years, and riding for five. Since I really haven’t been to a ton of nationals I really haven’t gotten a lot of really good overalls. I have placed good in a lot of races, but just not great overalls yet. I got 2nd at Loretta’s my first year of racing in the “C” class, so that was pretty cool. I’ve been on a new program with Carmicheal’s and they have helped me a bunch this year. They’re all super nice people and really been working hard with me.
That’s needless to say an amazing opportunity! Everyone knows that Carmicheal’s ranch is a tuff place to get into and only a few people in the world are invited inside the gates. Not to mention to train with and be mentored by Ricky. How’d that all come about that you got invited to go and train with them?
It was weird how it all transpired; it kind of came out of no-where. We met this guy KC, and he came out and watched me race at Dade City one weekend. After that he hooked us up with Mrs. Jeanee (Carmicheal), and I guess she had heard about me somehow. So I went out to the ranch, and they all watched me ride, and I met Ryan Dungey who has input on who rides out at Carmicheal’s, and they all said I could come out and ride with them from then on. We all started riding a lot and really got along really well. Then I met Ricky not too long ago, and we’ve been spending some time with him and have been getting along with him really well. He comes out and rides with us.
Man, that’s pretty cool! Do they actually give you riding tips and help you with your riding or just turn laps?
Yeah, he actually came out and rode with me this Tuesday, which was my birthday, and yeah, he helps me soo much! Whenever he’s home from racing trucks he always comes out and helps me with my cornering and gearing. But Ryan (Dungey) is out there all the time so he’s always on me and helping me with stuff. Mrs. Jeanee comes out a couple times a week and makes sure I’m doing everything right. And my dad helps me during the week with my program. We really appreciate everything those guys do for me…so thankful. They have all really taken me under their wings.
Well I know that has to be a little intimidating to be practicing with the fastest riders in the world, at least it must have been at first right?
Yeah for sure! For a while I was really intimidated! Ryan doesn’t really say too much, but they all get pissed when you blow out ruts and stuff, so I was scared to do that!
Yeah, I bet! What’s your plans for the future? Short term, as well as long term?
I guess after Mini O’s, I’ll turn “A” and probably race that for two years. Then turn Pro. But since I haven’t really been racing that long, I’ll do two years of “A,” because that’s going to be tuff! That’s a whole new ball game. I plan on staying here in Tallahassee and just work super hard, and see where that takes me. So, I’m ready for next year!
Great man, well be looking forward to seeing you progress! Who’s been helping you out?
Renegade Race Fuel, Fly racing, Pro circuit, Skull candy, TLR mods, Team Green, Florida motorsports, Scott Goggles, and of course Novik Gloves.
Thanks for the time Eric, and we at Novik Gloves are very proud to have you on our team! I really enjoyed talking to you and your father and wish you the best.
