Muscle Milk TWMX Race Series Profile: Brad Walker

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Fri, Mar 8 2013 6:00 am | Comments
 
Brad Walker, 18
Camarillo, CA
Sponsors:  Focus Apparel, Thousand Oaks Powersports
 
These days it is hard to find many two stroke bikes at the races with the dominance of the thumpers in recent years, so when we hear a two stroke leading a race, it often catches attention as the sound brings back the memories of years past for the sport’s long time participants.  At Competitive Edge MX, we noticed Brad Walker on a YZ250 leading races through the weekend piloting the Yamaha and keeping the two stroke at the front of the pack. 
 
 
How do you like racing a two stroke against all of the four strokes?
The 250 two stroke versus the 250 four stroke are comparable but the two stroke is much more reliable, so we go with that.  We go to races where like the Transworld Series races that let us race against the 250F’s.  Against the 450′s it is a challenge.
 
Do you find it a big advantage in the 250 class?
Not necessarily.  The only advantage would be it is cheaper to maintain.
 
How about in 450 classes, is it a disadvantage?
Yeah, it is a big power difference.  You can come in faster into the turnsfaster, but they can pull you out of the corner.
 
How long have you been racing?
It’s been about 9 years.
 
How did you get started?
My dad raced, and he bought a bike for me and I went out into a field and started riding it.  I decided to go try it at the race track.
 
Was that your idea or your dad’s?
That was all his idea, I didn’t know it was coming.
 
Why do you race?
It’s fun and just great!  Weekends like this, bringing the trailer out with my brothers and dad is really fun.  Going against the other guys and seeing where you are at.  It’s a great family sport.
 
What do you like about moto over other more mainstream sports like football?
It’s much more physically demanding, I will give you that much.  It is much more fun and takes much more skill in my opinion.
 
What other activities do you do besides motocross?
I ride BMX, mountain biking and that type of thing.  Basically anything with wheels.
 
How often do you ride?
I only ride once a week.  During the summer I may ride once during the middle of the week too. 
 
What is your goal in racing?  Do you want to make it a career or keep it as a hobby?
I’m not really sure what’s going to be in the future, but for now it’s as serious as possible.  We are going to do as many nationals as we can.
 
Which national events are you going to do?
We are going to try to do all the Mammoth qualifiers, but we aren’t going Mammoth though. We will do the Vurb Classic and also possibly Ponca.
 
Are you going to try to qualify for Loretta’s?
Not this year.
 
Besides riding, what else do you do to keep in shape for racing?
I ride my bicycle and I run.  Nothing too serious.  I may start going to Cross Fit with my mom.  She is a great trainer in that.
 
If you could pick one rider that is your inspiration, who would it be and why?
That’s a hard one.  They are all super good.  As of right now, Milsaps because he has been the underdog.  He’s been dominating so far and no one would expect it, but he really put his head down.  I like that.