| Q: How did you meet Byron? | |
A: I met Byron at Lions Drag Strip in 1971. He was just out of the army and I was just getting out of high school. |
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| Q: What has kept your relationship with Byron strong for so many years? | |
A: After a few years of being around Byron I started to realize he was a very special person. I’ve never met anyone that is more humble in life or as dedicated to his goals than Byron. It’s easy to be his true friend. |
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| Q: When did you know you wanted to be a drag racer? | |
| A: After taking my dad’s street bike to the track and running bracket races, I was hooked. |
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| Q: Who was your toughest rival at the track? | |
A: In my professional career, no doubt, Dave Schultz. He was much better than I was as a rider and at the mental game. He kicked my butt on a regular basis. On the non-professional side, Byron Hines. When we were kids, it would make me crazy when Byron would beat me bracket racing, which happened a lot. |
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| Q: What was your favorite race bike? | |
A: Without a doubt. Our 1984 Honda F1000 Pro Stock. Byron built the bike and we never got to test because of weather. We loaded it up and went to Gainesville that year and in four qualifying and four elimination rounds we qualified number 1, won the race, set both ends of the national record and left with the points lead. That was good stuff. Oh, after the event the NHRA changed the rules and we sold the bike without ever making another pass on it. It was the only Honda in history to ever win an NHRA event. |
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| Q: What was the greatest obstacle you faced in racing? | |
A: Keeping outside events and distractions from entering my head on race day. |
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| Q: What was your most memorable win? | |
A: No way I could answer that. We won a lot of races, but winning my last event in 1988 was a tremendous amount of pressure and also very special. I haven’t let the clutch out on a race bike since that day. |
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| Q: If you could try another form of racing, what would it be? | |
A: I would love to Roadrace. I believe that there’s not another motorsport on the planet that would be more fun and require more skill. Especially at the MotoGP level. |
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| Q: What bike do you like the most on the road today? | |
A: For getting somewhere, a Harley dresser with a stereo. For looks, anything that Massimo Tamburini has designed. |
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| Q: In your opinion, what is the appeal of motorcycling? | |
A: Speed, lifestyle and speed. |
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| Q: Who did you look up to when you were growing up? | |
A: It would have to be my Dad. He was a great man. He worked hard and was very unselfish to provide for his family. |
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| Q: What was your best subject in school? | |
A: Next question. |
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| Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of? | |
A: Not counting my family. Vance & Hines. |
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| Q: if you could have any other job in the world, what would it be? | |
A: This is the only one I’ve ever wanted. |
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| Q: Where do you enjoy being the most? | |
A: With my family. Or at the races. |
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| Q: What do you see yourself doing ten years from now? | |
A: Same thing I’m doing now. |
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| Q: What makes you laugh? | |
A: Me, when I think I’m cool. |
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| Q: What is in your CD player now? | |
A: Gwen Stefani |
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| Q: What was the last movie you saw? | |
A: The Interpreter |
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| Q: What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? | |
A: Banana Nut |
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