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Michael Akaydin of Louisville, Ky #918
Age 17 Rides 125 &
250 pro
(Travis) How long have you been racing? (Michael)
12 years (Travis) Where was your first race/ how'd it go? (Michael)
It was at Daniel Boone MX in 1993 I think, and I pulled off 7 th.
(Travis) What's the
best race you ever ran?
(Michael) I would definitely say St. Louis SX this year where
I made the 250 night show and lined up on the same line as Reed, Tortelli, Fonseca, etc. I wasn’t expecting to make
any night shows my first year, but I managed and had a blast racing (and getting lapped by) Reed.
Travis: Throughout your motocross career what is your
biggest accomplishment.
(Michael) Um…well id say the biggest thing for me is just getting to where I am now with what
I had. I use to only race every three weekends or something on ragged bikes. Now I work on my own bikes, train, and get a
good education. It has always been a dream for me to race pro, and I set a goal for myself to race pro while still in high
school, and I did. I put a lot of pressure on myself to meet my goals, and when I don’t, I just work harder.
(Travis) How did you get into racing Motocross?
(Michael) My Dad had always wanted
to ride since he was 10 or so, and never could because of his parents, so when me and my four brothers came along, we all
got into it together and have been racing together ever since, (except for my older brother who doesn’t ride any more).
(Travis)What else do you do besides MX?
(Michael)
I work on bikes, train, do hw and go to school, and try to hang out
whenever possible.
(Travis) What's your favorite track?(you don't have
to say D Track).
(Michael) There are a lot of good tracks
for sure. I like D-Track b/c its small tight and technical, Red Bud is always fun, Podium 1 has a lot of challenges.
(Travis) What are your plans for this summer and beyond?
(Michael) We want to do several pro nationals. We can’t decide
whether to forget Loretta’s and do 7 or 8 nationals, or do Loretta’s one more time and only hit 3 nationals. I will also teach at the FCA camp at the
end of June as well as some classes at D-Track. For 2006 I will hit all 7 East Coast rounds of SX along with all 12 Nationals
and try to get enough points for a top 100 national number and maybe do well enough to earn a ride on a satellite team or
something for the nest year. I am determined to do well.
(Travis) What can you tell us about yourself that most
people
might not know?
(Michael) I am a hard worker no matter what I am doing, including school. I just received a full academic scholarship
to the University of Louisville. I have been able to juggle school and racing during high school and still race professionally,
so why not college.
(Travis) Who would you like to thank?
(Michael) S&S Powersports, FCA MX, TLD, Bremm’s Fast
Grafix, Suspension Works, Scott, Dunlop, Suspension Plus MX Training, Twin Air, Scott Hall Imports, my parents, Maggie, anyone
else who helps me out, Travis for running an awesome track, and God for keeping me safe through all these years.
It's been good talking to you Michael. Thanks for letting us get to know
you!
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