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You Are Here: Ken Saillant |
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Dirttrack’s new manager Ken Saillant 12/28/06
First I’d like to thank you for granting us this interview. Give us all a little background about yourself. I grew up in Indianapolis, attended Indiana University, studied Audio Engineering, worked in the field for about 20 years. My brother Bill got me started in Flat Track when I was 12. He took me to all the races through out the Midwest and really got me hooked. Started as a promoter in 1992, doing flat track events in Indiana. Over time my hobby turned into a part-time job ...that turned into where I am today.... What a ride! How do you feel about excepting such a high profile position with the AMA? I’m honored to be given the opportunity to help direct our sport and help build on the proud tradition of the last 50+ years. Ok, that being said, I also feel like a kid on Christmas morning !!!!! Can’t wait for all the fun! Did you have to apply for Dirt track Manager job or was it offered to you? As everyone is aware, the AMA has restructured its entire racing dept. There was a need for a Director for the Flat Track program. We have combined both Amateur & Pro Flat Track into one department and after some discussions, I accepted an offer to direct the department. What are his five biggest goals for FT in 2007, and what is his plan to accomplish them?
(You swing that Ken and you’ll be nominated for President of the United States by all Forum members I’m sure. J) Are there any new major sponsors in the works? I glad to announce that Ford Motor Company again will sponsor the Flat Track series for ’07 If you could make a wish and it come true what would that be? I should say something corny like "World Peace", but I wish every motorcycle fan in the world could stand right next to the Turn 4 inside guardrail at Springfield as the field comes by. Nothing in the world will ever compare to that. Amen to that! Obviously the XR has carried the field for a long time. We are very fortunate that the XR has been around and continues to be the bike of choice in Flat Track. That being said, we do need to involve other OEM’s and encourage multi-brand racing. The fans want it, the sponsors want it, and there is available equipment that is competitive.
Ha...Ha... I see you’ve been talking to my good friend Drew Gatewood. OK, here’s the story. When I travel to races, I have a bad habit of not eating right. There’s never enough time, etc. Last year Drew and I went to California for a Speedway event. I lived on Diet Mountain Dew, peanut M & M’s and cigarettes for 4 days. Honest to God, it was bad.. I am proud to say I quit smoking, but I still struggle with the other two. My wife gives me grief constantly about my eating habits. My doctor and my waistline are not happy either.. I promise to keep trying. What does Ken like doing when he’s not working? Hobbies? Etc. I’m either at a soccer game or a volleyball game. Two of my daughters are all-state soccer players in Indiana and another daughter is a varsity volleyball player. I’m the worlds worst "Soccer Mom' I love to watch my daughters participate in high school sports. I try to keep my mouth shut at games, but sometimes it doesn’t work. You don’t know the meaning of "embarrassing" until you’ve been thrown out of a middle school girls soccer game........I do enjoy AHRMA Flat Track racing on my brother’s 750 twin Yamaha. I’ve had that thing around the Indy, Springfield and DuQuoin Miles. Had a great time with my friend Dave Weicht last year at DuQuoin. The draft really does work! Favorite food? racer? sport? See above for food,.... No,... just about anything my wife cooks is great, usually has some kind of fruit and/or vegetable in it. She knows I need the help....... Favorite racer: Would have to be Ricky G. I saw him do things on a motorcycle that cannot be explained. Favorite Sport:,.. GO INDIANAPOLIS COLTS !!! Yeah our Colts are doing there same ol cant get it done again thing this too. They make me soooooo mad at times, Dungies gotta go. Is there any talk about some Nationals on the West Coast? in 2007 mainly California? We definitely need to be on the west coast. In 2007, I don’t know yet. I can tell you that we are actively looking there. There is a need to be out west and we will get there, hopefully soon. Lets say your stranded on a small island in the pacific, what would be the 3 things you’d want with you? My wife, my children and my 1984 VT500 Honda Ascot,...coolest damn motorcycle ever made. Well I’m talking about Islands in the Pacific now so I guess it’s time for me to fly (REO SPEEDWAGON) Thanks a ton for the interview and hopefully we’ll see you in Daytona. Thanks Jim This was fun,...Happy New Year to everyone, and I can’t wait to go
racing. One more note, for those of you whose submitted questions and they didn’t get answered we apologize because some of them can not be answered at this time. Jim Grant’s Dirttrack Today www.Flattrack.com |
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Ok, here's a
question from someone I think you know, how does "Mountain Dew and M&Ms" fit
into Pro Racing?