INTERVIEW - Scuba Steve relishing his time in the USA
November 27, 2007
Last week saw the 36th annual Mini O’s Motocross/Supercross championship at Gatorback Florida – not only was the UK represented by 17 year old Steven Clarke but the kid from the Midlands actually brought home some silverware.
MOTO caught with Clarkey straight after six intense days of racing.
MOTO: First off well done on having a great week at Gatorback, what titles did you win?
SC: Yeh thanks for that - I won the 250/500 A expert stock class in Supercross and 125 A mod in motocross.
MOTO: Cool - Tell us about your week, how many races, best race and who was your toughest competition?
SC: I rode five classes and there are two races in each class so 10 races in total. I had an awesome week from the word go, I won a couple of my qualifying races in Supercross but started off the first main event with a DNF - I crashed in the first turn but got up and was riding at lightening speed, I really felt like I could have caught the leaders but three laps into the race a rider fell in front of me - I hit him and bent my gear lever and I was stuck in 2nd gear so I pulled off. Then I came back and managed a second place in my second class and then a first in my third class. Both were awesome races and I felt like a man on a mission! I followed up with a fifth and a third in my other two classes so I had a strong Supercross week for sure.
MOTO: Sounds complicated – what happened in the Motocross races?
SC: OK – In Motocross again I started off with a bang winning my first qualifier but it poured down and the track was so deep in mud. I had some good qualifying races no worse than fifth except a twelfth place when I fell in the first turn. Both moto’s count towards the overall finish my first race went down the pan when I crashed on the first lap and started in last. The next three races went smooth; I had a second and a first place, which won me the championship in 125 A mod. I had a sixth place finish and a DNF at the end of the day. I was really happy with my week’s results and I hope to continue them at the next event in Texas in a couple of month’s time. I think my toughest competitor would be PJ LARSEN, he is an awesome rider and has got a great style – he’s strong for the whole moto and is just generally fast!
MOTO: Wow that’s one busy week you had there - So do you feel that you’re becoming more of a Supercross rider or outdoor rider?
SC: I think I’m equal these days – I’ve just picked up a full set of Supercross suspension so now I’m starting to train Supercross with the pro's twice a week, so we will see later in the year how much I can improve. I love riding Supercross and it’s a huge adrenaline rush when you whip a bike over a 70 foot triple.
MOTO: Yeh I get the same rush when I run for the bus – What’s the plan for Scuba over the winter?
SC: I will be training 24/7 at MTF all winter getting ready for Texas – I’ve got to win some more titles.
MOTO: Busy times ahead then - Will we see you in the UK in 2008 if not what will you be doing?
SC: No, I’m staying in the USA the whole time, it gets too complicated coming back and forward from the USA to the UK and I need to race here for my sponsors.
MOTO: Good point – Is there anyone you would like to thank from Mini O’s?
SC: Yeah I would like to thank Colleen Milsaps and the whole MTF crew, my mechanic Eric, Cole Gress at Rockstar Suzuki, Factory Connection, Bell Helmets, Oakley, Thor, TCX boots, CTI2, FMF, PR2, Dunlop, Pro Taper, One Industries, Maxima, VP fuels, Sunline, OGIO, Twin Air, RK chains, and anybody else I may have forgotten and thank you all very much for all your support, its much appreciated.
MOTO: Cheers Steve – see you in Texas.
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