How long have you been riding motorcycles?
I've been riding dirtbikes since I was 6 and streetbikes since I was 16. I just turned 20.
What was your first bike?
1987 GSX-R750. I bought it when I was 16 just to race. I took it out racing and did 14s and eventually went 10 seconds. After that I bought a Hayabusa.
What's it like to win your first championship?
It's unbelievable to be honest. You set your goals high in life and try to reach them. It's been a big accomplishment. It's a lot of fun and definitely a dream come true. I put all my heart and soul in these bikes. It's been pretty amazing winning a championship over factory-backed riders.
What's the connection with Tim Ulmen from Playthings?
I got in touch with Tim "Timbo" Ulmen who e-mailed me at the beginning of 2008. Mike Slowe said something to Timbo about me as a rider. I originally called to congratulate him on his championship last year. I talked to him for like 3 hours that first time and then almost everyday after. It became more of a friendship in the beginning. I thought I just met a good a friend until he said "you're my 2nd pick". Then one day he said to me "you need to stop what you're doing and try and ride my bike." Next you thing you know I was riding a 7 second motorcycle. Things just kind of worked out in my favor.
What does it feel like to break the 200 mph mark?
Honestly, it feels like a pass that I did at 195 mph. Everything happens so fast and you have to be on point. Just like you are driving down the freeway on your motorcycle doing 70 or 120 mph you don't know how fast you're going until you look down. At 200 mph you're on a smooth clean pass you know you're on a good run. When I hit 200 I was putting my brakes on and saw my crew clapping. That's how I knew I had a good pass.
How does it feel to beat a factory rider in your rookie year?
To beat somebody that's factory backed just puts you on another level. It's about self-accomplishment. The best way to describe it is you have to beat the best to be the best. But I know that you're only as good as your last race.