Tuesday Toolbox: Jordan Ashburn

It was only a few short years ago that a mini rider named Jordan Ashburn began a journey that would lead him to be one of today's top GNCC Racing amateur riders. As this young Monster Energy Kawasaki sponsored rider ends a career as an amateur and begins preparations for the Pros, what drives him to make that final step toward his page in GNCChistory?

 

GNCCRacing.com: What's going on today?
I am just cleaning up from this weekend's race today. I have to be in school on Mondays and don't have much time to do anything else. Then usually Tuesday is my clean up day, plus I go riding and train and stuff too.

 

What are you studying in school?

I go to a local trade school where I am learning the trade of welding. I know motorcycles are not going to be my living forever and I need something to fall back on. I feel welding is a good trade to learn.

 

Good thinking and congratulations on the top Overall Amateur title for 2010! I know that is something you have worked hard at achieving for a couple years now. 2009 was close, but Chris Bach edged you out when the smoke cleared from that battle.
Yea, last year me and Chris battled it out all year and it was close right down to the end. I ended up getting class championship and he got the over all. So I thought about it and decided to stay back this year in the Open A class and go for the top amateur one more time. Chris was really on top of his game and it was tough to lose, but he deserved it. We had some really good battles

 

Does it inspire you that Chris is doing so well knowing how close you guys raced last year? I can really see where we were at last year and where he is this year and he has really picked it up a lot. I hope that I can do the same thing next year. Starting with them makes it a little bit easier instead of having to chase them. Hopefully I will have a better year next year.

 

You have had some really strong finishes this year, what is the best so far?
I got an 8th over all at the John Penton GNCC in Millfield Ohio, in the mud. (Laughs) I have always liked the mud. I used to practice in it a lot when I was younger. I know a lot of riders don't like it at all. I mean I don't love it, but I don't hate it either.

 

What are your goals each week?
Basically to win my class and then try and get the best over all I can. Especially these last couple of races so I can a better number for the year. I am 16th right now for the year.

 

You finished 15th last year, are you satisfied with where you stand right now?
I think so. I mean everyone has been riding really good this year and I have had a pretty good year and haven't had many bike failures or anything. So I can't complain.

 

What drives you most each week?
It's the competition between riders I guess. I just like to go there and charge and have the best race I can. To try and catch people in front of me. Once you get out in front of the A classes you are kind of out there in middle by ourself and you really don't know what to do. When I start catching some of the Pro Lite and Pro riders it gives me something to work on and try and stay with them.

 

How long you been racing?
I started racing GNCC in 2005. Before that I raced a little motocross and some local flat track plus I would trail ride a lot. My dad used to race back in the 80s and I grew up trail riding with family and friends. After I raced for a couple of years of Mid South's we went to the GNCCs. My first podium I remember was at Steel Creek in ‘05. It was real muddy that year and I was on a Kawasaki then in Big Wheel 14-15.

 

How did you do on the minis?
I finished 5th over all that year and then I finished 2nd behind Corey Buttrick the next year.

 

What happened after that?
Then I moved up to the 250 B class. One of the things I remember most is getting lapped a lot. It was fun though. I rode for KTM and won the championship in the 250B and 250 A classes. I rode Open A last year and again this his year and won the championship on the Kawasaki.

 

I know a lot of riders like to move up and experiment with what the next class level has to offer after winning titles and such, s what are your plans for the rest of the season?
I am going to stay in the Open A class and not make any moves till next year. I can't really move up to a pro level class in GNCC because it will make me ineligible for Kawasaki's Top Amateur award.

 

What are your plans for next year?
I am really not sure right now. I will probably run XC2 and would like to chase after that championship. My mom and dad are there to help out and they are the funding. We just talk it all out and decide what will be best in the long run and that‘s what we try to do.

 

I see you are the only rider that seems to have the type of Monster Energy Kawasaki Traxxis support like you have. How is that and is it something that will continue into your pro career?
We got hooked up with them last year before the GNCC started; they made a good offer so we took it. It has really been a great program for me. It helped out a lot last year and this year and I couldn't ask for much more. I have not heard anything about sponsorship for next year. We have contacted them and they said that they would let me know. So far I heard nothing. It is just a waiting game now.

 

Are you worried about the move up?
Not really. The pressure doesn't bother me. You just got to get up there and run with them and learn. The pace they run doesn't bother me. I can hang with them now for a while and then they pull away in the end. I just need figure out a few things and work more on the training aspect of it.

 

What are your goals for next year?
Hopefully I can get all top 10 finishes in every race. I think that would be a good start.

 

What are you doing over the winter?
I am going to put a program together for training and work on that end of it. And hopefully I will be ready for it next year.

 

What do you do besides race motorcycles?
About anything really, I like to go hunting and fishing and stuff. Summer is over so no more hangin at the lake. We like to go wake boarding during the summer during the break and stuff. I wouldn't say I am good at it or anything, but I can get up. (Laughs)

 

It looks like you have everything going in the right direction, I would like to say thanks for your time and I look forward to watching the progression of your career.
Your welcome and thanks to you. I would also like to say thanks to Mom and Dad for helping me out and Monster Energy Kawasaki and the whole team for helping me out this year. And of course Moose Racing and all my friends.