FT.com

Hey Bryan how did the year go outside winning the most prestigious race THE SPRINGFIELD MILE?

BS -

I would say the year had been "Good" up until Labor Day weekend. We had the win in Daytona and a few podiums on the 750, everything had been getting better throughout the season. Rich Hansen has done a great job making me comfortable on the Moroney bikes, along with dyno George tweakin the motor, it really showed on the mile.

FT.com

Please give your fans and Forum members a little background about yourself and your amateur years racing, heros, wins etc.

BS -

Well like every racers start, it was due to my parents. I can't thank them enough for what they gave me and sacrificed for me to build a career out of. They started me out racing BMX bicycles around age 5 and then I started racing Flat track around age 7. My dad was a friend of Scott Parkers, so from the beginning I wanted to be like him and race flat track. My parents brought me up through the amateur ranks and in 1999 I won the Horizon Award, capping off my amateur career and starting my pro career. I've always looked up to Scott Parker throughout my whole life basically, and am fortunate enough to have guidance from him. I'm not sure if I could have won the Springfield Mile without knowing a few of his old tricks. The last few years Nicky Hayden has became one of my heroes. Not only because he's super fast but because he's a down to earth guy that hasn't forgot where he came from.

FT.com

Please give us all a run down on just what it's like, and what you where thinking with 5 laps to go when you won Springfield, and the last lap, what was going through your

mind?

BS-

Well, believe it or not, I was really calm through the whole race, when I seen the 5 to go board, I tried picking the pace up a little, I think I ran my fastest lap on the 24th lap. I knew I wanted to lead it off turn 4, although I wasn't sure Coolbeth and King would let me do so. I ended up drafting Coolbeth into turn 3 and concentrated on getting off 4 really good.

FT.com

What's in store for Bryan Smith in 2007?

BS-

Winning the twins Championship is my #1 goal. I would love to give Pat Moroney his first title, and keep the Screaming Eagle Team on top.

FT.com

What's the one thing you really look forward to when race weekend comes around.

BS -

The racing! It's a feeling that you cant explain and some people never understand. It's what all the hours of training and hard work are for, them 25 laps.

FT.com

How do you feel about the series being split up with two different Champions?

BS -

Well, it's suppose to be a good thing. Although in 2006 it wasn't any better for the riders. I think it could lead to bigger things in the future if the AMA makes the right rule changes and whatnot.

FT.com

You started out the year at Daytona winning the first singles race, give us a little insight on how you managed to put it on the guys down there.

BS-

I think riding on the ice in the winter helps me a lot at that track. Daytona is a really weird surface, that usually gets rough, which is how the ice is. I feel really comfortable there. It's a track that isn't follow the leader that has 100 different lines. You can really search around and make something work for you.

FT.com

Opinions, we all have opinions, do you have one as far as the OEM stock frame and the framer maker rules? Do you think the OEMs will ever get involved in flat track enough so you guys can make a decent living?

BS -

Well I hope they get involved. If AMA doesn't change the rules to OEM frames only, then they never will. we would also need more than a 7 race series for them to make it worth there while.

FT.com

Is there any young talent coming up the ranks that has your attention? If so why?

BS-

I cant pick anyone kid out of the whole amateur ranks. I do know that there are ALOT more kids going fast these days. When I was amateur it seemed like there were only 3 or 4 kids that were really fast. Nowadays, it seems like there are 20 really fast kids.

FT.com

Lets talk family here a minute, I know your entire family is very involved with your racing, is there any funny stories you'd like to share with us regarding a travel adventure, I know you have a few.

BS-

My family was and still is a huge part of my racing. There are tons of adventures we've been on thru the years. I'm not sure if I can tell you any super funny stories. I can tell you it really kept my family close, which makes it twice as good when I can win and there all there to see it. I think my family has grown throughout my racing career, making friends along the way, that I would consider part of my family now.

FT.com

How about your major sponsor Pat Moroney, guys like Pat are to few and far in between and we need more people like him in order for this sport to survive, tell us a little on how the Moroney Racing program came about.

BS-

Well Suzuki hired Jake Johnson, so Pat was on the hunt for a rider. After a few phone calls we came to an agreement. It was a huge load of my shoulders, as well as my dads. I can't thank Pat enough for picking me up in 2005, I finally have all the tools I need to win a Grand National Championship. There are only a few people like pat out there that have flat track in there blood and want to win as bad as the riders do. Enthusiast like him keep flat track alive! If we could only find 10 more Pat Moroneys, everyone would have a XR750 to race, and there would always be a hell of a party after the race!

FT.com AMEN to that!

FT.com

What's Bryan like to do when the winter months come about?

BS -

Mainly Ride on the ice. It keeps me on the bike almost all year around. I have a personal trainer I work with all winter and throughout the season. Currently I have alittle time off, but before I know it ill be back in the gym also.

FT.com

I've noticed you do have a website but theres no activity on it, whats up with that?

lets get that thing rollin...:)

BS -

I will have a web site before the start of the 07 season. GNC racer steve murray will be dialing that in for me.

FT.com

Well thanks for your time and hope you have a great winter and be safe.

BS -

Thank you to everyone that supports flat track.

Jim Grant

Flattrack.coms Dirttrack today/