Tuesday Toolbox with ....
Taylor Kiser!
GNCC Racing: First of all what are you doing in Ohio?
Taylor Kiser: Well I’m doing some suspension testing this week and doing some riding with Brandon (Sommers). Just trying to get dialed in for Millfield.
Is the terrain there a lot different than what you have back home in Florida?
Yeah, that’s kind of why I’m staying out of Florida and stay up here more and more and run select smaller races, like D11 and stuff like that. Just getting more acquainted with the terrain. My practice track back home is just crazy deep sand whoops. Kind of like the Florida GNCC!
 Taylor gets on the podium at the season opener in Florida. |
Well, the terrain is different, but as far as staying in shape during the winter, it has to be good.
Oh it’s awesome, that’s the thing I love about Florida you can ride there year round. In the winter everyone is cooped up, but we have races through the winter.
Is that the big factor this year? You’re putting in an awesome season.
Yeah, I put in a lot of work in the off season. Of course Lazarus at GT Thunder has helped me with set up, too. But it’s just putting in a lot of work in the off-season.
What was the goal coming in?
I’m exceeding my expectations, but now that I’m there, I can see myself there, and now I want to stay there.
Every year a few guys come out of the Pro Am class and do real well as pros right off the bat. From your experience, why do you think that is?
Last year I didn’t have a good year. I don’t know! I guess whoever works harder does better at the beginning of the year.
Were you under some pressure at the beginning of the year with moving to pro?
I was feeling a little bit of pressure. I really wanted to do good, and my dad and some other people were really pushing me, so I felt like I had a lot of people that I had to do well for.
You were obviously comfortable on the Florida terrain, but were you still nervous down there lining up on the front row?
At Florida I knew I was going to do good, and I was really comfortable there. But when we got to Georgia, I lined up next to Bill and Yokley, I was a little intimidated there. But now that I know I can be up there and can bang wheels with the best, I don’t feel so intimidated.
Does getting the season started right at the opener make a big difference in the rounds after that?
Yes it did. Getting the ball rolling in Florida with that podium helped me out extremely well. Last year, I did poorly in Florida, and even though I had a few good results here and there, that really drug me down.
 There's a lot of hard work behind Taylor's fourth-place ranking in the GNCC standings. |
What have you learned each week?
Training is very important, and being focused mentally before the race.
Two weeks ago Brandon told me he had all kind of strange mental tricks to keep himself focused. What kind of stuff are you talking about when you say “stay focused.”
Just keeping your head screwed on straight. Not worrying about things back home, knowing that your bike is ready to go, knowing you are prepared and have nothing to worry about.
Is it hard to maintain concentration for two hours?
If I’m doing really well, everything is gone from my mind and I can focus. When I’m in the back, I do find myself wandering. You have to push that out.
We had deep competition in the XC1 Pro Class the last few years, but some of the main names are struggling this year. Have you noticed some of those guys stepping it up more now that we’re moving north and they can ride and practice more?
Yeah. The last couple of rounds I’ve noticed a lot more guys starting to mix it up. A lot of them are getting more seat time now. They’re stepping their game up, so I’m up here stepping up mine.
What do you do at home?
I opened up my own business, it’s an ATV parts and accessories shop. I work that, but I have a guy who watches it for me when I’m gone. But I’m racing part time for the most part. I’ve been going to school, too. I take night classes twice a week. Actually I think I failed one of them, because I had finals and I was trying to get ready for Loretta’s! It’s hard to do all of this.
Man that’s tough! Who helps you get to all of these races? Most of them are a long way from Florida.
My dad has been a huge, huge help. Without him this wouldn’t be possible. He comes to all of the races with me and does a lot of the driving. My dad and my mechanic, they are a crucial part of my racing.
How did this GNCC thing get started for you?
I started in the series three years ago. I’ve been racing for five. In GNCC, I started in the B class, and I jumped into the A class. I finish second in the A class, then I jumped to Pro Am last year and finished fifth.
How did you make the jump from fifth in the Pro Am class to currently running fourth in the pro class?
Last year I had a lot of bad luck. I won quite a few races, and I had some really good finishes, but then I had a few bad ones. I wasn’t happy with fifth place. I wasn’t quite as prepared as I wanted to be, so I worked really hard all winter.
 Kiser joins a long list of Pro Am graduates--like Jenks, Johnson, Bithell and McGill--at the front of the Pro pack. |
So is a podium a goal for the weekend?
Yes sir it is. I feel that a podium is very possible.
How was the last race at Loretta’s? It seemed like a good run.
Last race I pulled the holeshot, and I was out front for the first mile or so, and Chris got by. Then Duane and Sturdivant slipped around me, and I was cruising behind them. Then somebody got by me. Bill and McGill tangled up, and I got stuck behind them. Pretty much the whole class went past us, and then I had to work my way back up all day long. I’ve been wanting to get a holeshot all year long, but after getting tangled up, I ended up back in the pack where I usually start!
How much more fun is it to go to the races now that you’re getting good results and scoring podiums?
Oh, I’m really fired up and having a really good time, just hanging out with my friends and enjoying the races.
Good luck in Millfield.
Thanks.
