Tuesday Toolbox: Maria Forsberg

She may just be the world's greatest woman off road woods racer. Winning 10 straight and 11 total races in 2010, she has raised the bar for the ladies in GNCC. Heading east in search of a new challenge after 5 straight WORCS titles, FMF/KTM's Maria Forsberg did something many have not been able to do. She won a title in the world premier off road racing championship her first time out. What's next?

GNCCRacing.com: So what's going on with the new GNCC Women's Class Champion?

Maria Forsberg: I just got in from work. It's been a long day, I get up for work at 5:15 a.m. and don't get off till 5:00 p.m. so just trying to shift gears a little and wind down before I start doing a little training before dinner and bed.

Congratulations on your championship by the way. How does it feel to come and do so well your first year here in the GNCC?

Thank you very much! It feels awesome to come to a new series and learn so much about racing. I couldn't have won the championship without all of my help and support.

So what brought you to the GNCC in the first place? You really seemed to have things going well out west, so why the change?

I have grown up riding mountains and tight trees my whole life and I have figured out I don't like to jump. So the first thing I thought was GNCC.

 

How was your experience from a social aspect? I mean did you make a lot of new friends here in the East and do you feel like you have become a part of the GNCC Racing Nation?

From the social aspect of things, it was incredible! Every person I have met has been so nice and really opened their arms to me coming back east. I was kind of a loner at first because I didn't know anyone but now I can't wait to go race and see my whole new family again. They have really made me feel a part of GNCC racing.

 

You had some really strong finishes this year over all. Do you think you can start making podiums in the morning race? Has is been a goal of yours?

Photo By: Shan Moore
Maria Forsberg rode her way into GNCC history with the Women Class Championship,

My goal for next year on the overall finishes is to get a top three in the am race. It's far stretched but I am going to train really hard and I think I know what to do. I finished 5^th over all once and in the top 10 over all a total of 4 times.

 

Great job this weekend in the 4 Stroke a Lites Class finishing 7^th. It was really cool to see you in the early lead off the start like that but someone told me you went down pretty hard not long after you went into the woods. What happened?

I was excited about finishing 7th but like every racer I wanted to do better. I got the hole shot which I wasn't expecting and I was so nervous I didn't even know what to do, but yeah right when you go into the woods I was getting passed at the wrong time and we both tried to squeeze through 2 trees that weren't wide enough and I was the one who hit the ground. (Laughs) That's racing though and you can't dwell on your mistakes. You have just got to keep chuggin' along.

I hear that you are and electrician by trade. So how do you fit riding, traveling and racing all into what I am sure is a busy schedule? Are you self -employed?

(Laughs) Funny you ask about my schedule because lately everyone has been wondering about that. I work full time as an electrician at Boeing. We have been working 50 hours a week lately and will be working weekends starting soon.

I worked in general construction for 4 years but now like I said, I work for Boeing and they are very supportive of my racing thank goodness. I fly out late Friday night, sleep on the plane, drive straight to the track Saturday, sign up and walk the track, race Sunday, fly home and get there around midnight then wake up at 5:15 for back to work on Monday morning. It's busy but I think its any girls dream to fly to the east coast and race your motorcycle so I will do whatever it takes to do that.

 

How do you keep prepared to race with that crazy of a schedule?

Heading into race week I try to eat a lot and drink lots and lots of water. I do mostly cardio during the week and some weight training.

The big question I am sure folks are wondering is are you coming back next year to defend your title?

Yes! I am so excited to say that I am coming back next year and I can't wait for what the GNCC has to offer me, new people, great new riding, and lots of more memories.

Congratulations again and thank you for taking the time to talk today.

Thank you so much Rodney and thanks to all my sponsors and all those that have supported me this year in my experience.