Flattrrack.com Catches up with Joe Kopp... By Jim Grant
How
was your winter and did santa bring all those things you hoped for?
How is the new family doing?
The winter has been great as Garrett and Kody both
scored big from Santa this year, and so did dad. The boys are growing like
weeds and that ain't no lie! Kody is keeping us on our toes, that's for
sure.
Lets talk some about your plans for 2006 Joe, who will you riding for and
will Larry Zumbrum be your main man again?
Larry Zumbrun of LZ Racing is still my ace
in the hole when it comes to the bikes, and Latus H-D
www.latus-hd.com is back on
board for 2006, bigger and better than ever. Plus I have switched from KTM
singles to Honda singles, and Pro Honda Oils, Beaverton Honda
www.BHY.net
, and Renton Honda www.Rentonmotorcyles.com
made all that happen, so that is probably the biggest new news for Joe Kopp
for 2006.
What bikes are we expected to see Joe Kopp on in 2006?
A new J&M framed XR750, and a new
J&M framed CRF450 Honda, plus stock framed Hondas as well.
Any feelings about the new series and the way it's split?
You know I hate to say
pretty much what Chris had said, but I really do think that if the AMA does
do what they say they are going to do with the ideas, then I think we will
go forward with our series, but I know it is going to take alot of work on
their end to do that, and honestly, I donot see it happening. I really like
the fact that the opportunity to win a championship for the singles class
has came out of this. I had been with KTM for quite a few years, and it was
always a question of how can you get a factory's help to win half of a
championship? Tough to convince anyone on that at the bargaining table. But
then again, hard to convince a factory to support you with a 4-race
championship series also. I really hope the AMA gets some more races in both
classes, 450 and 750's.
Could you give some of the young racers who
read FT.com a little advice on how to obtain sponsorships and how you
prepare yourself before a race so they can better understand from a
professional standpoint?
One thing I beleive in is trying to support a possible sponsor
before they come in to support me. And what I mean by this, is try to
support them for a season or two first, such as buying product from them
when needed and letting them see that you can help to get their name out
there. Sponsors are hard to come buy, so kind of sweeten them up for a year
or so, then go and ask them for some help, but never, never burn a bridge
with an old sponsor, as you never know where you may be in a couple more
years. Life is too short to do that! As far as before a race, I always try
to eat and train right, as this just gives you more confidence come race
day.
Any new sponsors on board Joe Kopps team this coming season?
New sponsors would be, Latus H-D,
Renton Honda, Beaverton Honda, Barnett, Vortex racing, Pro Plates and
Powersport Grafx.com
Thanks Joe, and is there anything you
would like to mention to your fans, sponsors, out there?
Thank You to everyone who has been
behind me in the past, and 2006 looks to be a great year. I will be at
Daytona with the gunz a loaded, and I am really looking forward to this
coming season as I think this is the best chance in quite a few years that I
have hadto get those #1 plates back on my bikes! BONZAI!
Go to forum
onsor
before they come in to support me. And what I mean by this, is try to
support them for a season or two first, such as buying product from them
when needed and letting them see that you can help to get their name out
there. Sponsors are hard to come buy, so kind of sweeten them up for a year
or so, then go and ask them for some help, but never, never burn a bridge
with an old sponsor, as you never know where you may be in a couple more
years. Life is too short to do that! As far as before a race, I always try
to eat and train right, as this just gives you more confidence come race
day.