You guys spend a lot of time together at lots of NETRA events, what's it like to be a father/son team competing and riding together?
Jim: It's a lot of fun. Riding and racing is such a great way to spend quality time together. On the competition side, the ball-busting and bench racing after we compete against each other is my favorite part. "Remember that rock!" "Oh man, how did you do on that gnarly hill climb?" On the father side,
I love seeing Jason progress as a rider. We share a passion and that's priceless.
Jay: Being a father son team is awesome. We both ride together and train for our races, and it's great to have someone to push with and learn things from.
Do you have a favorite NETRA event? What makes it special for you?
Jim: I can't say I have a favorite but the events I enjoy the most are the ones we ride together. Jason has been competing in the enduro series with me and it only took him a few events to learn time keeping. I'm teaching him the old-school way; watch, odo, and route sheet. He's currenly second in B-Light. If I had to pick one event, it would be this year's King Philip. Jason and I both took first in our respective classes. That was pretty special.
Jay: My favorite NETRA event is the Thomaston Dam Hare Scramble put on by my club the Pathfinders. I grew up riding at the Dam and helping the Pathfinders set up the course and working the event is fun for me.
What are your riding plans for this season and next?
Jim: I'd like to say I'd like to repeat my B-Senior Enduro Championship but sometimes life gets in the way of racing! I might not make enough events to repeat. Next year I get promoted to old-guy status. I plan on running the hare scrambles series in B Super Senior starting in July. I can't wait to race at 11 AM!
Jason: My riding plan for this season is to keep competing in both the Enduro and Hare scrambles series hopefully ending with a top five finish in both Championships. And for next season my goal is A class!
Jason, you have been showing good progression in your results and recently scored a career-best 2nd B-OA at Martin's Mayhem hare scrambles. Tell us about what you've been doing to make such good improvements.
I started to focus more on my fitness by eating the right food and doing lots of cardio at the gym. What really helped was when I started to race the NETRA Enduro Series. That format really tests your endurance and pushes you to go past your limit sometimes. Being able to complete an enduro made the two hour hare scrambles a lot easier.
Jason, you started out with hare scrambles but you've also been doing some enduros lately. What do you think of them?
Seeing my Dad come back from the Endruo races with these crazy stories about the trail he rode, made me eager to get my motorcycle license so that I could compete with him. At first, the time keeping was confusing to me, but after the first few races you start to get the hang of it. You really start to appreciate the skill required to ride New England's gnarly trail!
Jason, what is a piece of advice that you'd give to younger kids just getting into NETRA?
The advice that I would give to younger kids just getting into NETRA is to ride as much as you can and have fun. Everyone starts somewhere and gets better with seat time.
Jim, you wear a ton of hats in NETRA and the sport in general. Why do you feel motivated to give so much of your time?
I love dirt bikes. Period. I love the competition. I love the friendships. I love the hundreds of vistas only an off-road motorcycle can provide. I am motivated
to keep this sport alive so future generations can enjoy these same experiences.
Jim, You're the NETRA webmaster and you've played a big part in our advancements over the years. Which do you think has been the most important?
There are a couple technology-wise: updating the website to a more modern architecture; persuading the BOD to get out of the custom-built software game; upping our presence on social media; and working with other BOD members to show we could convert scoring to MotoTally. On the non-tech side, one of the most important changes we made was implementing the "You are NETRA" mantra. No more "NETRA should do this..." "NETRA should do that..." You want change? Make it happen. NETRA is not the board of directors. NETRA is it's membership.
You are also leading the WeRideTheDam project - trying to save the riding area at Thomaston Dam. Why is that one riding spot so important to you?
The Thomaston Dam is what got me hooked. I live very close by; it's like my back yard. Dirt bikes led to the Thomaston Dam which led to my first NETRA race which led me to the Pathfinders which led to dozens of new cherished friendships. One place did all that. Now the Naugatuck Valley Greenway Project threatens that riding area. They want to put a walking path right through the center of the trail system. We can't let that happen.
Anyone you'd like to thank?
Jim: My wife Vicky and non-racing children, Derek and Amanda. They've been listening to my dirt biking stories since 2006! I'd also like to thank the best club in NETRA; the Pathfinders. The camaraderie over the years is priceless and someday they are going to let me trail boss "Jim's Dirtbike Circus".
Jason: I would like to give a huge thanks to my Mom and Dad for bringing me to all the races and making sure I'm ready on race day.
Photo Credit: Anthony Maki