This weekend, TransWorld Motocross will take over Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park for the annual TW SLAM Festival. The day, which is free to all, offers open practice on two fully prepped tracks, a vendors row, Metal Mulisha freestyle demos, and maybe most importantly, the SLAM Pro race. In the three years that we have held the event, Dean Wilson, Wil Hahn, and Justin Bogle have all taken top honors, but until now none have come back to reclaim their status as winner. That will change this weekend, as Bogle will catch a flight and battle the field for the SLAM belt, purse money, and December cover.
You’ll be in town this coming weekend to defend your SLAM title…
Yeah! I wasn’t sure if I was going to be doing it or not, because I don’t think they have ever had anyone try to come back and repeat. I wasn’t sure what was going on and I ended up talking to Donn, and he was cool about it and told me that I could possibly be the first repeat winner. I took the opportunity and I am excited to come back. Last year was a lot of fun.
Will you be riding the 250 or the 450?
Definitely riding the 450. I really like riding them, so any chance that I get I will hop on to one.
Will this be the only race you do over the off-season, or are you in for Monster Cup?
As of right now, it is looking like it probably is about it, but you never know.
How big of a career milestone was it to get the cover last year?
It was huge, because I had been pro for only a couple of weeks and ended up getting it.
Have you taken a break from the bike since Lake Elsinore or have you kept on it?
I laid low for a little bit but I am back in on it, training and having fun. I’m trying to ride the 450 a little bit more, just to get ready for the race and to work my way back into it.
How has it been to be in Oklahoma?
I’ve been back here since the outdoors started. California is cool for Supercross, but I like Oklahoma and I like to be home. I’ve been here training with Robbie (Reynard).
After your first full season as a pro, as you making any changes to your program or will it stay the same?
I’m not too sure right now, but I am working on a few things. I am definitely still working with Robbie and am still with GEICO and everything, but other than that, we will see.
Some of your competition this weekend will be Christian Criag, Ricky Dietrich, and Ryan Hughes. What will it be like to race against that diverse of a field?
It will be cool, because it is always good to have the competition for a race like this. It keeps it interesting and fun. I have raced against all of those guys before, like “Ryno” at Mammoth last year, so it will be a good time.
How is it to race against him?
It is good. You definitely don’t know what to expect, but he can still pin it.
Is there room for another cover, SLAM belt, and the prize money back home?
I always have room for a fresh SLAM belt and a cover on the wall. For the money, I really don’t have anything in mind right now but I am sure I can figure something out.
TAGS: chad reed, davi millsaps, Justin Bogle, Monday Kickstart, red bull x fighters
