Jason Thomas Top Privateer Again
6/28/2000
Recapped By: Doug Hein
Finishing the day with a 12th over-all at Budd's
Creek Motocross Park last weekend earned Florida's Jason Thomas the Top
Privateer Award for the second time this season. Very few of us can imagine the
weekly regimen of a true privateer in this sport. Jason Thomas has earned
a spot in this year's books as one of the best non-factory riders by doing only
as he knows how.
VRM: Congratulations on winning the Privateer Award again! It
has to be nice to be recognized for this type of
desire and work
ethic.
Jason Thomas: Thanks a lot. It isn't easy but I am doing my
best with what I have.
VRM: I know you can't just go out and buy a new Mercedes
with the Privateer winnings. How does the
prize money help
your budget? Do you spend it on parts, gas, hotels, etc.?
JT: I try to save as much as I can. I want to race and make
enough money to save up and not have to worry
about what I will
do after I retire from racing.
VRM: Being a privateer, how do you conjure up the courage to
battle the intimidation
of lining up against the factory bikes and
riders without having the money and bikes they have?
JT: It actually motivates me. I know that no matter what, some of
the guys can beat me even if they were on my bike. I think if I had the support
they do, I could be a lot more competitive. I just want to ride that much
harder to beat them and prove myself.
VRM: With the results and attention you've had this year so far, you
must have caught the eyes of some managers for a ride on a team. Have you been
talking to anyone about a contract for next year?
JT: Yes, I have actually been talking to a lot of people but nothing is
set in stone.
VRM: You have a lot of different sponsors' currently that are more or
less specialized in one way or another. You recently picked up Virtually
Real Motocross as a host company for your personal web site. How does
this type of sponsorship work for you?
JT: Their web sites are great. Those guys are doing a great
job with this. The Fantasy League they have running is cool, too. A lot of the
mechanics and other guys on the road bet every week on who is going to
win. Several of my friends are playing in the league, too. It
really gives the fans more working knowledge of how the sport works. I am
actually planning on getting a lap top very soon so I can keep up with what's
happening on the web.
Thanks
for supporting me,
Jason
Thomas
Jason Thomas Top Privateer Again |
6/28/2000 |
Recapped By: Doug Hein |
Finishing the day with a 12th over-all at Budd's
Creek Motocross Park last weekend earned Florida's Jason Thomas the Top
Privateer Award for the second time this season. Very few of us can imagine the
weekly regimen of a true privateer in this sport. Jason Thomas has earned
a spot in this year's books as one of the best non-factory riders by doing only
as he knows how.
VRM: Congratulations on winning the Privateer Award again! It
has to be nice to be recognized for this type of
desire and work
ethic.
Jason Thomas: Thanks a lot. It isn't easy but I am doing my
best with what I have.
VRM: I know you can't just go out and buy a new Mercedes
with the Privateer winnings. How does the
prize money help
your budget? Do you spend it on parts, gas, hotels, etc.?
JT: I try to save as much as I can. I want to race and make
enough money to save up and not have to worry
about what I will
do after I retire from racing.
VRM: Being a privateer, how do you conjure up the courage to
battle the intimidation
of lining up against the factory bikes and
riders without having the money and bikes they have?
JT: It actually motivates me. I know that no matter what, some of
the guys can beat me even if they were on my bike. I think if I had the support
they do, I could be a lot more competitive. I just want to ride that much
harder to beat them and prove myself.
VRM: With the results and attention you've had this year so far, you
must have caught the eyes of some managers for a ride on a team. Have you been
talking to anyone about a contract for next year?
JT: Yes, I have actually been talking to a lot of people but nothing is
set in stone.
VRM: You have a lot of different sponsors' currently that are more or
less specialized in one way or another. You recently picked up Virtually
Real Motocross as a host company for your personal web site. How does
this type of sponsorship work for you?
JT: Their web sites are great. Those guys are doing a great
job with this. The Fantasy League they have running is cool, too. A lot of the
mechanics and other guys on the road bet every week on who is going to
win. Several of my friends are playing in the league, too. It
really gives the fans more working knowledge of how the sport works. I am
actually planning on getting a lap top very soon so I can keep up with what's
happening on the web.
Thanks
for supporting me,
Jason
Thomas
