BigMxRadio
Every week, I spin my rolodex and choose five industry individuals who I haven’t spoken to in a while or have been in the news lately. I ask them five questions and three to four of them get back to me. Then, I ask two or three more people to answer some questions for this article and bring it to my editor which makes it readable for you folks. That’s right, I called you “folks”. What are you going to do about it? Ha!
Seth Hammaker – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Vurbmoto: How would you describe riding for Mitch Payton for those who haven’t met the guy?
Hammaker: Riding for Mitch is rad. Such an awesome team with a great bike and so many resources for success. Mitch has a lot of knowledge and I’m thankful to be able to learn things and apply them to racing to achieve my goals. Mitch has your back if you really want it and put in the time. He’s going to tell you how it is and that’s how it should be.
What kind of moto kid were you? Were you ever a super fan of the pros and follow the sport closely or were you more focused on your own racing?
I rode for fun and tried to hit Loretta’s every year. I was in tune with every pro race— Supercross or MX—I knew what is as going on. Never a super fan of the riders but was just into the sport and knew where I wanted to take it for myself.
You live with your mechanic. What’s the living situation like, who does the cooking? Who does the cleaning?
Jacob is a good roommate although I don’t see him much, he’s always working. [Laughs] We honestly do our own thing on cooking, so I do most of the cooking and cleaning which is kind of fair cause I use the most dishes and make the mess. Eating healthy isn’t easy!
What are the chances we ever get a Seth Hammaker KX250 two-stroke edit? Please don’t say it’s not going to happen.
I would love to have a KX250 two-stroke edit one day that means you made it!!! So hopefully after I get in the 450 class, we can make that happen.
How good are you with doing any of your own bike work and what music are you playing in the garage?
I can do all my bike work besides building an engine from scratch. Other than that, I could do it all. I was my own mechanic my last couple years as an amateur until Jacob came on board and it was a blessing. I’m either listening to some SixNine rap to get fired up or some country. I’m all over the board with music. [Laughs]
Jace Allred – Amateur Motocross Prospect – KTM – Monster Army Athlete
Vurbmoto: How awesome was World Mini? Track? Event? Favorite Memories?
Jace: World mini was a fun event for me I enjoyed the track with some added sand and the organization was good.
What is been the biggest contributor to your progression in recent years.
The people around me like my family and friends have been a big help in my progression.
What do you do to keep training for the motocross fun?
I love to ride and cycle so training has always been enjoyable to me.
What is a current weakness in your game that you’re working to improve on?
A weakness I feel I need to keep working on is consistency throughout the week especially struggled with that in Texas.
When did you start learning to throw ridiculous “Oppo” whips? because the ones you were tossing at World Mini were filthy.
Not sure what the oppos were about didn’t know I could do that if I’m being honest.
Scott “The Burner” Burnworth – Former Factory Racer (1980s)
Vurbmoto: How would you describe your career to someone who didn’t have the privilege to watch during your career or isn’t a motocross historian like myself?
Burner: I had a decent career. I did not have the wins [in my pro career] that I wanted, but I was very lucky to have raced in the “glory years” of MX [late ‘70s, ‘80s]. Also, I feel very fortunate to have been on factory teams my whole pro career and been able to ride actual “works bikes”. I have no regrets, I had a great time racing and made a good living doing it.
Is the sport of motocross today in 2023 the same sport you fell in love with and competed in during the ‘70s and ‘80s?
Yes and no. Back in the day it seemed like a friendlier, simpler vibe to me. We had box vans, and spectators could walk right up and talk to us. We were not stuck in big semis with barriers around us. One thing for sure is that the tracks are groomed much better today than back then. I think back to some of the tracks we raced on and they were pretty dodgy. Another thing that is much better today is the media coverage. Back then you had to wait a week or more to see what happened at the races, today it is instant… All in all. I would not trade the experience that I had for today’s SX and MX. The ‘80s were the best!!! In my opinion.
How did you stay connected to the sport after your professional career ended?
When I retired from racing [1987] I became a graphic designer and part of a company called Jet Pilot (Jet Ski Apparel Co.). While I was doing that, I started Burner Design, and started doing work for many companies in the moto industry, also working inhouse at Maxima Racing Oils for many years. This kept me in the industry that I love. Today, along with my design work, I also promote Vintage Motocross races (SoCal Vintage MX Classic) and the Carlsbad MX Reunion. I am still very involved in the sport, and still enjoy riding and racing vintage races.
How long after your professional career did you feel like you didn’t “have it” anymore? You’re still fast to this day but I assume you probably could have made the motos at a national well into your 40s.
I still feel very fast on the bike, although my lap times might prove different. [Laughs] Today, I just enjoy riding and vintage racing, I have no desire at all to mix it up in the Vet Pro classes, that is just not fun to me any longer.
How important is it to you to preserve the history of the sport and what do you do to ensure that happens?
I take great pride in keeping the sport going. I love the history of the sport and promoting my events (Vintage Races and Carlsbad MX Reunion). It’s great to see people re-live the fun and enjoyment they had racing motorcycles and attending moto related events. I create and attend many events whenever I can to do my part in helping to keep the history of the sport alive and well.
Gregg Albertson – Riding Coach/Track Builder – Owner @game_moto coaching
Vurbmoto: What did you learn from your amateur career as well as your brother Jimmy’s career that’s helped shape what you’ve got going on now?
Gregg: The two biggest things I learned from my amateur career as a racer and mentor/mechanic to Jimmy were attention to detail and resiliency.
Let’s start with being resilient. Everybody has an excuse but honestly it doesn’t matter. If you want anything bad enough, you will find a way. If you want it bad enough the sacrifices you make won’t feel like sacrifices, it’s just the way of life. Happiness comes with purpose, constantly improving and taking pride in what you are doing.
Then we have attention to detail. “Good enough” has never been good enough. This whole sport is about diagnosing problems, coming up with solutions and checking off boxes. As a unit, a family, and a team Jimmy was able to win Loretta Lynn’s in 2002 in the C class at 14 years old. A short six years later raced for HRC Honda Factory 450 team. Our father taught us the importance of doing things the right way.
Who had the biggest impact from a mentorship standpoint as you grew up in the sport that would model your approach after?
That’s so hard to answer. Three people come to mind.
1) Greg Direnzo – (Trey Canards Trainer from 2006-2010)
2) Trey Canard
3) Jim Lewis (Merge Racing)
What are some for your most memorable moments from World Mini back in your days racing it?
In 2007 after Jimmy was left on his as with no pro deal Cole Gress called and offered us travel money and bikes to go race. Jimmy came is an amateur bust that didn’t get a pro ride and he won the A class beating Austin Stroupe, Trey Canard, Nico Izzi, and Tommy Hahn unexpectedly.
What would you say it the most important and contributing factor to an amateur career turning into success at the professional level?
Technique, fitness, and the ability to ride supercross. Supercross if the most dangerous activity you can do on a dirt bike and most families disregard the importance of SX because they are only training for next weekend or Loretta’s. Daxton Bennick and Haide Deegan had SX tracks in their back yards since they were kids. They are the fastest most equipped riders now. SX forces good technique. You can ride outdoors with bad technique and get away with it. Your technique must be on point to survive Supercross.
How often do you ride nowadays and what holds you back from riding more?
I love to ride, but I also like being good at things. [Laughs] The amount of time it takes to be and stay good at riding isn’t in the cards for me right now. Also, when I ride, I remember how hard it is. It gives me sympathy for my students. I believe that makes me a softer and worse coach. I put all my time and energy at the track into getting my kids to elite levels. I don’t feel the need to ride much anymore. When my kids win, I win!
Jimmy Button – Vice President – Motorsports, Action Sports and Olympics – Wasserman Media Group
Vurbmoto: What’s the biggest difference working with young motocross athletes in 2023 compared to when you got started?
Button Fly: I think the only difference in that now all of the young guys are doing the work and have a better understanding of what is really necessary to get it done.
For the first time in over 30 years, we’re seeing two manufacturers entering the professional racing with bikes they’re developing from the ground up. What do you feel has brought Triumph and Ducati into the space in the coming years?
It’s very interesting and exciting to see this happen. Once they are both here field full team, we could see 18-20 factory riders in a 450 main. That’s not happened in a long time given teams are now mainly maxed out at two riders. I feel like more people are riding post pandemic and American Supercross provides a testing ground to develop a bike at the highest level. Winning Supercross championship in equal to winning a MotoGP championship. It’s the two pinnacles of the sport.
How does your career path and the adversity you faced as a pro help you guide your athletes today?
Mine is unique due to my injury, so my perspective is quite different than another manager/agent out there. Also, my success on and off the track is something other can’t match. My perspective is not just in business but on the track the little things that can only be learning from racing and winning at the highest level, which I did.
2023 saw the return of the World Mini Grand Prix. What memory sticks out for you about that race back in the day.
I always enjoyed the race whether it was at the old saddleback park or up in Vegas. Vegas, however, was always windy!
What’s your best story of Jeremy McGrath just being a good guy as we know him to be?
My best stories about Jeremy aren’t meant for an interview! We were best friends and roommates for the long time, so our history is extensive. The fun we had the years is something that I cherish. Years back, I was it a tough place in my career and Jeremy told me to get my ass to his house and move in. That was the single biggest turning point in my career. We have an unreal history together. He’s the King for a reason.
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Big Dog, out.
Those kawi PC bikes will end your carrer.