Parents: Rich and Michelle Stalnaker
Racer: Richie Stalnaker #16 50cc 7-8
7 years old
Hometown: Utica, Ohio
Home Track: Crow Canyon MX, Uhrichsville, Ohio - District 12
Q and A with Richie's dad, Ritch Stalnaker
Cobra - How did you and your son get involved in racing motocross?
Rich - I grew up in a racing family. My father raced cars. I joined the army right out of high school so I never had the chance to race. Richie was supposed to race Karts when he was old enough, but he only ever talked about dirt bikes. We bought him a Suzuki JR50 when he was three. He rode it around the yard until he was five. We took him to a track one time to watch and he saw other kids his age racing and he asked us why we didn't bring his dirt bike. The next week, he was racing. We never looked back after that.
Cobra - When did you realize your son was ready for competition at the national level?
Rich - Richie won the local points championship in his first year. One of the kids that he raced with went to Loretta Lynn's during his first year and he told Richie how much fun it was and how hard it was to get there. That winter, Richie practiced and practiced. We went to the first couple of local races and we knew that we needed to go to bigger races to keep the fun going. Then, he qualified for Loretta's and we started following the national scene.
Cobra - What advice would you give a new Cobra family that wants to get the most out of racing?
Rich - Don't let the parent's competitiveness get in the way of your family having fun. It is very easily twisted into Dad's desire to win and Dad's desire for his son to be the best. Enjoy the time you are spending with your family.
Cobra - Why did you decide on the Cobra brand of motorcycle and not another brand?
Rich - We started on KTMs because we didn't know better. We started spending more time and money fixing the KTMs than racing them. After the KTM failing two weeks in a row, we made the switch to Cobra. It was the best decision that we ever made in regards to racing.
Cobra - What are your best tips on keeping your Cobra running in top shape?
Rich
- Keep fresh clutch oil in the bike.
- Look over the whole bike every time your rider comes off the track.
- Follow the time intervals in the manual for maintenance.
Q and A with Richie
Cobra - What do you like most about racing?
Richie - I like to battle with other kids because it's really hard. I like spending time with my family and my friends at the track.
Cobra - Tell us how you train for motocross?
Richie - I have a track at my house and sometimes when it's really cold, I go to an indoor track. I eat lots of meat and apples. I also exercise with weights and do push-ups and stuff.
Cobra - What do you like most about your Cobra motorcycle?
Richie - It has lots of power and it's a really good bike because of all of the suspension and stuff and the motor is the best out of every bike.
Cobra - What's your favorite race?
Richie - Loretta Lynn's because of all of the competition and stuff and all of the fun stuff like the creek.
Cobra - Who's your all-time favorite racer?
Richie - Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael
Q and A with Richie and Ritch Stalnaker
Cobra - What is/was your favorite subject in school?
- Richie - Math
- Rich - Math
Cobra - Favorite food?
- Richie - probably Ribs
- Rich - Sushi
Cobra - Favorite movie?
- Richie - Supercross, the movie
- Rich - Young Guns
Cobra - Video game (think “Asteroids,” mom & dad!)
- Richie - Fight Night Round 3 on Xbox 360
- Rich - Battlefield Vietnam on the computer
Cobra - Other sports you play?
- Richie - Basketball
- Rich - I played baseball and golf growing up. I still play golf.
Cobra - What are your racing goals for 2007?
- Richie - Making it to Loretta Lynn's again
- Rich - Being the best mechanic and giving my son the best tools to meet his goal.
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