Home

Five Questions with Ricky Carmichael

Aug. 7 - Ricky Carmichael is just a few races away from accomplishing something many people thought was impossible: winning every single moto in an AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship Series season.

Despite the pressure, or maybe to get away from it, Carmichael came to the AMA Amateur Motocross Championships, did a few demonstration laps of the track on a Honda CR450F four-stroke race bike (not his usual 250cc two-stroke machine), signed autographs and mingled with fans. Here's some of what he had to say.

Q: There have been a lot of rumors that you're going to ride a 125 at one of the national outdoor rounds this year, like you did last year. Any truth to that?

RC: It's not going to happen. I've got nothing to prove. If anything, you'll see me on the four-stroke.

Q: So many people here watched you grow up at Loretta Lynn's year after year. How does it feel to be back?

RC: It's nice to be back here. For me, this was always the funnest race of the year.

Q: Do you see yourself being here someday as a motocross dad?

RC: I'd love for my kids to race. But of course it's up to them what they want to do. I'd like to do what Jeff Stanton has done, help kids get started right.

Q: You took some heat for switching from Kawasaki to Honda. Looking back, do you think you did the right thing?

RC: It's the best move I've made for my career. The bike is excellent and it shows in my results.

Q: The big question is, can you do the perfect season? Can you win every single moto?

RC: Well, there's six more races to go, so I guess the odds are against me. But I'm riding in control right now, I'm not pushing too hard, so I should be good if I just keep a level head.