Layne made the jump from the Youth races straight to the 3-hour afternoon races. | Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The 2010 GNCC Youth Overall Champion, Layne Michael made the move to the afternoon ranks at the end of last year and is now a contender for this year’s 4 Stroke A Lites class championship. We caught up with Layne to find out how he’s transitioning to the three hour races and his plans for the rest of the season.
All right, Layne, we’re 6 races into your first full season on a big bike in the GNCCs, how do you think it’s going?
It’s going pretty good. I have been struggling getting use to the three hour races and it’s been very difficult.
You’re currently second in points behind Scott Grills in the 4 Stroke A Lites class by only 2 points, but you’ve yet to get a class win. After winning so many races in the Youth ranks, are you hating not winning?
Yeah, it really bums me out but I have stayed consistent and I know the win will come I just have to work hard and eventually it will come. I am always right there in the beginning but with the three hours I become a little fatigued at the end. So once I get that figured out it should be easier.
A couple of the last Youth champs to move up, Kailub Russell and Steward Baylor in particular, raced 200A their first year on the big bikes, but you opted for the 4-Stroke instead, was there a reason for that?
Yeah I rode a couple of 200s and really didn’t like them. I don’t know why, I just didn’t like the feel so I rode a 250F and kinda fell in love with it.
Layne putting in some evening practice laps at his house. | Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Have you given any thought to what you’ll do in 2012, spend another year in the A class ranks or potentially move up to the XC2 class?
No I’m going to stay in the A class because I am struggling a little this year and I don’t want to move up too fast and then be at
You and Thad DuVall have been good friends for a long time, how helpful is it being able to ride with one of the fastest guys in GNCC racing?
Thad, (laughs) he is like my brother. I love that kid to death. He has helped me so much and every time we ride he is always pushing me to go faster and telling me little places to work, so for me Thad is a big help and I have actually been with him for the past two weeks so hopefully that helps me this weekend.
Jen Kenyon (GNCC’s new PR person) is going to be racing her first GNCC this weekend, have you given her any advice? How do you think she’ll do?
I think she should do pretty well. She has a big heart and she wont give up. She has also improved so much. The first time she rode woods, (laughs) oh my…. But now she is going through woods no problem so I think she will do pretty well this weekend.
Layne is part of a new generation of GNCC riders with as much moto style and speed as off-road racing skill. | Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
That’s pretty much it, who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my parents first of all if wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be doing this sport I love. Then I’d like to thank Troy Lee Designs, EBC, Morgantown Powersports, KTM Powerwear, KTM Hard Parts, PR2 Suspension, FMF, Scott Goggles, Maxima Oils, RidePG.com, and of course you guys for this interview. Thanks!
