Catching Up With…Broc Hepler
bayodome
- October 30 2009
- 20 comments
Every rider is different. Some excel instantly while others take time to mature. Some seem to stick around for years, while other are so injury prone, we rarely even see them. Broc Hepler is a mixture. The Pennsylvania native and resident turned pro back in 2004 and had an outstanding rookie year. If it had not been for James Stewart, who was absolutely on fire that year aboard his KX125, B-Hep would have won both the East Coast 125 Supercross series, and the 125 Nationals. The following year, many expected Broc to take the lead in that class, and it looked to be going in that direction early on. However, a few really bad crashes and concussions that year and the next few seasons have haunted the Iceman ever since.
Following another concussion at the end of Supercross, Broc thought it best to take some time to recover. No one has heard much from B-Hep since then so we thought we would check in on the former Yamaha and Suzuki factory rider to see what he has been up to lately. We caught him in the middle of a Las Vegas trip with some buddies, but he still took the time to give us an update.
What happened with you this summer? You had an injury right before the Nationals started up and that was pretty much the last we have heard from you.
Yeah, I had a little tip over with (Davi) Millsaps at the Las Vegas Supercross. It is really just too many concussions over a short period of time; a lot of little falls that just keep adding on to my big concussion from a few years ago. I wasn’t feeling right. In this sport you have to be on top of your game. You can’t go out there and ride your best when you can’t see perfect. I didn’t want to take a chance and fall and have an even worse injury.
You had a pretty bad crash at the beginning of the year in Supercross at Anaheim I as well. Was that part of the problem?
Probably. Any wreck can have that effect. You might not even know that you have a concussion when it happens. Even the small falls just keep adding to the initial injury. Lots of little falls can make it seem like one big one.
You have worked with the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) a lot in the past with injuries and concussions. Did you continue working with them this summer?
Yeah I still work with the UPMC. They have a lot of my history on record there so they know what all of my symptoms were and what I need to do to get back on the bike at some point. They really monitor me and that has allowed me to start training again. I’ve actually started doing a little bit of riding recently. It’s definitely fun to be doing that again. I just did some riding in San Jose, CA on Thursday and just had some fun out there. So I am back on the bike again but I need to start doing some real training because I have been slacking pretty good (laughs)!
What were you up to this summer since you were not racing? Just laid low?
I wasn’t doing any training or riding. I honestly was not feeling good and didn’t start to notice any real improvement until the last few nationals. It takes a while to get over some symptoms. I wanted to make sure I was good to go before I did any kind of riding or training. So I just stayed at home in Pennsylvania and this week was my first time in California since May.
All right, the big question: do you have anything lined up for next year?
No. At this point I haven’t even been trying. With how tough the economy is right now, some really good riders don’t even have contracts yet, so I knew it was going to be difficult. So I have decided to sit out the Supercross season. That will give me enough time to make sure all of my symptoms are completely gone. Hopefully by the Outdoors I will be 100 percent and maybe there will be a ride open that I can fill in somewhere.
So you are not even going to bother riding any Supercross?
No, unless someone has a good bit of money to throw around. If the right money is there maybe I’ll jump aboard. But right now I am just planning on staying in Pennsylvania, and will do some snow and woods riding with some tire studs this winter.
I have heard for a long time that once your MX career is over, you are probably one rider who could transfer pretty easily over to GNCCs.
I love woods riding. When I first came into the pros I was a really good mud rider, but staying in California all winter, I kind of lost my mud practice. Hopefully doing some riding this winter back east will get me back into it and help me pick of some of the things I have lost.
Any reason why we didn’t hear what had been happening with you?
I have some close industry friends that knew but otherwise I guess I am just pretty quiet and keep to myself. So overall I don’t think too many people know what’s going on with me.
Perhaps it is good just to lay low, keep away from the dangers of Supercross for a year, and just come back strong for the Nationals.
As long as I can stay on two wheels and just take my time getting back into shape. I always ended up getting hurt in the past and then it has been a rush to get ready for racing. Then I have to take chances to get back up to speed in a hurry. I have a lot of months left to the Outdoor season so I can just take my time and work my way up slowly and be a little more careful.
I know the rumor had been tossed around that you might even hang up your boots, but that probably because no one knew what was going on with you. But really, you are still young, so you have plenty of time to come back and make your mark.
Yeah, I’m 23 right now. I could even take five years off and come back like John Dowd has done (laughs). If he is 44 and can get second place at Southwick, I can be 44 and do Steel City.
Minutes after our interview finished up, Broc sent this text message along
“You have to put at the end of the interview, I don’t need SX. I just won 238 bucks on the craps table. This is sick. Vegas baby!”
See you at the Nationals, Broc.
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October 31st, 2009 at 2:55 am
catching up with…JUSTIN BARCIA. LETS SEE A VID OF HIM ON THE NEW BIKE!!!!
October 31st, 2009 at 3:18 am
GOOD LOCK BROC!!!! I am looking forward to watching and rooting for you ALL season long. Can't wait til next summer at high point and steel city!!!
MUCH LOVE FROM PENNSYLVANIA!!! TEAR 'EM UP!!!
October 31st, 2009 at 3:18 am
Sick, good too see hepler is still alive haha
October 31st, 2009 at 3:27 am
Nice kid - shame to see him be in pain or sick from the head bangers. He showed great signs of being fast - get well Broc!
October 31st, 2009 at 11:39 am
yeah get well hamburger….hope to see a few podiums next summer
October 31st, 2009 at 4:35 pm
yea dude barcia he is the new jamison stewart ! he is my favorite rider by far ..
October 31st, 2009 at 8:10 pm
???? skip supercross? not even trying to get a deal? how about just going out there and riding? putting ur name in the spotlight and EARNING support? he hasnt finished a season…ever. how about he just rides, and calms down to not hurt himself, cause obviously this isnt going well for him. i hate it when riders only want to come back when they're 100 percent,specially when they just hope their contract or some contract will keep them around. he admited he hasnt trained, "yet If the right money is there maybe I’ll jump aboard". umm… does he deserve it? no. one podium in 09, but how many dnfs? remember stewart riding injured in 06 07?reed& villopoto in 08, byrne racing in aus after mxon crash. even mike alessi, geez.
go ben towney!!!!!! lol
October 31st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
ya lets send a guy that has head injuries into a professional supercross race. i mean y wait to be 100%? u must be retarded
October 31st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
ral820 i really like his idea. i mean who cares really if you have a broken leg or fractured spin. might as well ride to keep your name in the sport. seriously did you think about what you wrote before you wrote it. the smartest thing to do is be 100% and try to go as good as you can. not half ass and do horrible at every race.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
ral your an idiot. you must not know to much about the severity of concussions over and over again and i take it your probably some dumb ass who barely rides and thinks he knows it all. training for sx is tough and broc is way better outdoors if he keeps it on two wheels. but seriously man. your an idiot
October 31st, 2009 at 10:31 pm
BROC HEPLER U ARE THE MAN!! i watch him race recently at switchback a local track in pa he kicked ass but i dont know why he would race local ? ha
November 1st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Ral 820 u r either an idiot or someone that knows nothing about head injuries. Ask Grant langston why he took time off. Head injuries are serious and if they affect your sight then you need to chill. You say he should just ride around. he is back on the bike isn't he. WTF
November 1st, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Wow. Not to sound like a d!ckhead or anything but hepler sure thinks he's worth some cash right now. With the way the economy is right now, So many consistant riders who cannot get a ride. Hepler has not finished a series in years. He rides tuff, but is way to inconsistant for the budget he feels he diserves. I think he ought to do the privateer thing. put a couple good rides in, than go for some dough.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 am
Theres alot to say about this kid…
I think waiting till he's 100% rather than trying to come back with a lingering head injury was the right thing to do, but @ the same time, hes got the skill and potential to be on top, but hes lazy and is gonna have to work really hard if he wants to stay in this industry. Theres alot of fast kids who are determined and deserve a chance in the pro ranks more than he does. Broc needs to work his ass off this winter and show up at the last 2-3 supercross races and show the fans & the sponsors that hes got wait it takes, and means business for outdoors…or else he simply just isnt going to make it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:17 am
If u guys read it more carefully, ud notice hes willing to ride for the right amount of money, deeming ur “he has head injuries” excuse irrelevant. Hes a great rider, almost as fast as villopoto, but id rather have him go ¾ throttle out in supercross, than his preferred style of going out when hes fully up to speed, and falling and missing another season. I just don’t think its right when hes sitting there waiting for an injury for an outdoor deal, I say go out there and earn it and don’t go crazy hurt fast. If u guys pay attention during the past seasons, he not only waits to be 100%healthy, but he wants to come out and immediately be a front runner,that’s good, but only takes u so far when u don’t finish seasons. Hes healthy right now, hell be fit by Anaheim, but if the “right amount of money” isn’t there, hell just sit it out.
no need to insult my first comment, but…r u guys uneducated or just jacka***s? learn how to read and my first comment would of made more sense
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
RAL, you suck.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
i talked to hepler he only has a yz250 NO 450!!!!!! he isnt even ready he said
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Wow, you really don't understand what it takes to be a professional rider. Virtually none of us do. I give Broc a lot of respect for his patience. Don't think he does not want to be out there racing. At the same time he is well aware of his capabilities, as are his potential sponsors and fans…that's why we know who he is; this provides him some security. Countless riders have rushed back just to stay in the game, but it only ends up hurting them in the long run.
If you actually paid attention to what Broc had to say, the kid has not been 100 percent for last few years, as each bump on the head only compounds on the previous bump. Racing is his job, meaning that's how he earns a living. Its only natural to go where the money is, and many people are willing to step out of their comfort zones for the right price. Nevertheless, I highly doubt Broc would take anything less than a ludicrous offer for SX. Instead, he is wise to take an entire year to let his brain (you know, it's that thing in your head that is, well…kind of important) fully heal and come back stronger than ever.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
ral is a genuine dumbass
November 5th, 2009 at 12:44 am
Ral Sucks!!!!!!!!