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by Bad Billy
Privateer Profile: Michael McDade
Thursday, August 18, 2011 | 2:30 PM
SHOEI combines state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and the most advanced materials known with over 50 years of experience to deliver the finest handcrafted motorcycle helmets available. Recognizing that the privateer is the heart and soul of motocross, SHOEI is proud to present to you the Privateer Profile.
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The first time I recall seeing Mike McDade was back in the early 2000s at a local race in Southwestern Pennsylvania. He was on a clapped-out Yamaha with no numbers, but he was the fastest kid on the track and was the only one jumping a huge double that day. Over the years he picked up various support rides and steadily climbed the ranks from unknown local to amateur champion, but unfortunately making the transition to salaried professional gave Mike some trouble. Out of the blue Mike, who’s now 23-years-old, entered the Unadilla National this past weekend and went 21-22 in the 250 Class aboard a privateer KX250F with help from Moto Cross Ministries. We were pleasantly surprised to see McDade back in the results, so we gave the Pennsylvania resident a call for today’s Privateer Profile.
Racer X: Mike, hey, what’s going on?
Mike McDade: I’m actually on my lunch break right now.
Where do you work at?
I work at a shop part-time in Indiana, PA, called Tom’s Cycles. I work in the parts department.
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McDade finished 25th overall at Unadilla via 21-22 moto scores.
Photo: Zak Lowery
I was actually really surprised to see you out at Unadilla this past weekend racing. Where the heck have you been?
Well, my girlfriend just had a baby about a month ago to the day, so…
Congratulations!
Thanks. But yeah, last year I had some problems with my leg and had a rod put in and it just never healed right. I kept getting stress fractures and it’s just been really bothersome. Then earlier this season I met Shane Shipley at a qualifier and we talked a little bit and he said he wanted to buy me a bike and train me and get me on some kind of program. The first day I met him I actually re-broke my leg. So, we started training while it was broken just trying to get ready to do a national. I started riding again and actually felt better than I ever have after an injury so we decided to get ready to do a few outdoors. Our goal was to come back for just Steel City, but everything was ahead of schedule so we headed up to Unadilla.
Well, you went 21-22 in the 250 Class, which isn’t too bad for your first national of the year. Was that above or below your expectations?
As far as Shane’s expectations, they were just to get in. Mine were to finish inside the top twenty. I was pretty confident I was going to make it in and I qualified in 29th, which was decent considering how many people were out in that B practice.
As far as the motos went, the first moto I felt real good and didn’t get winded or tired at all. I had two crashes and had a real bad crash off the big sky tabletop. Decotis and me hit in the air and I side-saddled and got whiskey throttle into the fence and took out like five people. There were like two laps to go and I lost a few positions and that kind of tired me out right at the end.
The second moto I didn’t get that good of a start but I ran like sixteenth for a while. I passed Musquin at the beginning, which kind of surprised me. I fell over once that moto and ended up 22nd, so it wasn’t that bad of a day.
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Unadilla marked McDade's first national since 2009.
Photo: Zak Lowery
Not at all, considering it was your first national in quite some time.
Yeah, my last national was Steel City in 2009—I did the 450 Class there. Before that it was the beginning of 2008 at High Point. I only did two nationals before this weekend.
Were you nervous?
On the start I wasn’t nervous at all. I got more nervous during the race being up so far. I kind of surprised myself.
This has to give you some confidence going into the next race, which is going to be what, Southwick?
We want to do Southwick. I actually called a few teams to try and get a bike to ride. If that doesn’t work out, we’re just going to kind of put all of our eggs into one basket and just ride Steel City. I’m hoping for a top fifteen finish there. I’m going to have Chad Sanner at Eleven10Mods do some motor work on the bike and hopefully get my suspension dialed in a little better. Hopefully that goes good enough and I can get out to Pala for the final race of the season. It just seems that everyone is already on a shoestring budget and we’re on a thread budget [Laughs]. So far this has been the best year I ever had as far as how I feel and my commitment. Having this baby has made me sit back and changed my whole life.
Is it a boy or girl?
A boy. His name is Keegan McDade.
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McDade beat the likes of Canard, Stroupe, and Barcia during his amateur career.
Photo: Zak Lowery
To refresh people’s memories, give us a list of some of your past accomplishments—I know you had some championships from the Mini O’s.
In 2006 I beat Stroupe and Canard for the overall in the 250 and 450 classes at the Mini O’s. I then met Matt Walker and we did a Puerto Rican supercross and I won that. I had a lot of good arenacross finishes when I was on the Foremost Insurance team with Jim Neese. I won Mini O’s again in 2008 with Pant Saggin Dezign against Barcia, Tapia, Regal and all of them. That was actually the last big thing I had in 2008, so I’m ready to finish this year out on a positive note and go into next year with higher expectations.
I’m sure you have some people you want to thank for getting you back out there, Mike.
I want to thank Moto Cross Ministries. That’s our title sponsor. Shane Shipley does a prayer service at the races we go to, so that’s our main sponsor. I’ve gotten a lot more faith from meeting Shane. Even Trey Canard, he’s one of the guys I look up to and he’s younger than me. I’d also like to thank Pant Saggin Dezign, John from Scott, FCR Suspension, Mosites, Tom’s Cycle, Loudmouth Intake, LeoVince, Eleven10Mods, and my mechanic, JR Nelson.
One last thing—if there is a team looking for a replacement rider for any of these last few nationals, what’s the best way for them to get in touch with you?
They can just e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks, Billy.
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Good read right there, I like to see guys like this with the right attitude going for it! Best of luck BUD!!!!
Is it his baby>?
I saw the last name... congrats
this dudes got serious skills. best of luck man hope to see ya out there from now on!
Saw-eet number.Last time i saw that digit,it was on a 1988 YZ 125??? Indiana guy??? Good luck Mike.
Ive seen Mike ride some MEga and Ultra series and let me tell ya he is one fast dude and smooth as silk.He can ride a 2 or 4 stroke very well.Best of luck man and stay healthy!!!
best of luck michael hope to see you finish top 15 at steel city
Anyone that helps McDade is going to get screwed over. He is a lier, thief and drug addict. Don't be fooled by his lies, he has no heart for motocross and could careless about anyone but himself.
Mike has had a kid and has grown up and go through a phase of smoking weed or drinking is a drug addict then you are mislead.From what i know mike grew up from the time he was 17.Obviously you were burned sometime in mikes past and you havent made amens with him or you just like bashing people. I see mike at the gym 4 days a week and track everyday doing 30 to 40 min motos. You will see alot of mike around from here on out. Look how big he was when he was supposively lying doing drugs and not showing heart. Clear eyes and full heart buddy
he grew up with no one at the age of 17
I have know Mike since 2008. Even wrenched for him for awhile when he was with Pant Saggin. Yes he did have some issues back in those days. But seems to have turned his life around and realized what life really is with his newborn son. Hooked up with him recentley at a local N.Y. race at Swain Mountain MX. He apologized for and asked me to forgive him for anything that had happened between us. Took a real man to do that. Been around this sport for 35 years. The kid has got the talent and drive to do this. I wish him the best and have offered my advice and help in anyway I can give.
Boy it sure seems like Mike has gotten beaten on the track by Mcdade a few times. Heres my two cents about Mike Mcdade. Untill Mike moved to Indiana he came with Broc Streit once or twice a week to take my then 8 year old son to ride and train he did this not for money or fame but simply cause he wanted to. Mike may of had some problems in the past however he has never given my wife or I any reason to mistrust him. Guys who live in Glass Houses shouldnt throw stones. Mike keep up the hard work, your nose to the grind stone and your hand on the throttle. The Hill Family is behind you and we cant wait to see you kick some butt at Steel City.........
alright mr (mike) whoever u are.clearly ur an idiot. i have been good friends with mcdade for about 10 years now and ur either 1 of 2 things. and thats u either are super rich and drop 15 grand in ur bike and he can still smoke u on an xr80 or he stole ur girlfriend. im guessin both. ill tell u one thing is that he has never been on any hard drugs in his life. i grew up with him so i know this for a fact. ya when he was a teenager he liked to have fun and be a kid but who didnt. mcdade has more heart and love for motocross in one hair than u do in ur whole body. so stop bein a jealous pansy get over urself and grow up. actually now that i think of it ur proly a old 35 year old vet who never made it and u cant stand that mcdade has more natural tallent than any pro in the sport. ur the kind of person who needs to stay away from motocross cus u ruin the sports reputation. mcdade is a good dude and i hope he gets a ride. he deserves it more than anyone on the track.
You guys are retards! Everyone in North Carolina knows he burnt everyone that has helped him. Deserves a ride?? Thats funny! That kid is scum and if you think you can trust him then your just plain dumb!
Im the one helping MIke. So that means you called me an idiot and a retard which is totally inappropriate, Your misguided judgement has no standing in Mx or society in general. List your credentials and/or accomplishments. When was your last national? or interview on racer? I can't believe I am responding. Anyone who wants to futher this argument can find me with Mike at the track. I have 2 amatuer national titles and a college degree. Mike is a great friend and a hard worker. I challenge you to do half of one of his workouts. Oh yea some of us are guided by faith. And there are more of us than there are of you.
People have been burnt..why are you afraid to say who you are .. I know who you are and if you have a problem call me. 724 651 8310. This is Mike. . Anyone i have been able to contact that i have burnt i have apologized to and asked what i can do about it. I am a father now and i am a good father and i dont have time to lie to people or burn people or keep living how i did 5 YEARS AGO. Move on from it or do something about it. You can easily call me and work something out. Or my email is at the bottom of the interview if you cant muster up the guts to talk to me on the phone.
its just jealousy mike! my mom told me to look at your interview on here so i did! congrats :) its good to see all your hard work is paying off
Mike, i ran into your dad today and he told me about this interview..Im pumped to see you working so hard and accomplishing your goals...every one of your old racing friends are proud of you..i hope i can make it to SteelCity to watch you bust into the top 10!
Congrats Mike. Colemans right, everyone will be there to watch you crack the top ten at Steel City. I still have the video from when you TRIPLED up the skycoaster!
McDade is undoubtably the most naturally gifted rider I have ever seen in my life.This guy can jump on ANY bike at ANY time and do whatever he wants. I am certian he did not have had the same life growing up as "mike/idiots" had down in the Carolinas. I can remember me Mike and the rest of our buddies gathing up all of our gear/ bikes/ money (sometimes even wrapping coins) doing whatever we had do to get mike on the track because we new he had a God given ability to make a living on that bike. As you can see Mike has grown up, apologized to everyone he has ever hurt, including you "mike/idiots". I don't think anyone should be on this sight bashing someone who has struggled but is finally getting reconition that is greatly deserved. Jealousy is the root of all evil.
Keep pushing Mike.
T
Mike is right! McDade is a total loser, lier and a thief. You need to do better math McDade cause it sure wasn't 5 years ago that you screwed everyone you know over.
Congrats Mike. I remember always watching you race locally here in pa/ohio. You were always the fastest one on the track, on any bike you could ride. I remember at Pymatuning you and Vince Karnow had an awesome moto, back and forth the whole time. You have amazing god given talent. Im glad to see you are back at it. Ill keep my eye on you at Steel City. Hopefully you'll crack the top ten since its your home track. Good luck to you man. Let the haters hate, at least they haven't forgotten about you.
Whatever happened in the past, is apparently in the past. Saw you at Southwick today, and what you did for Hahn was classy! Old school, yea you're in a race but people matter. Thanks for boosting my faith in humanity, and best of luck to you!
Hey Mike, It's not too late to run for President this fall. There are still 3 (voting) months to campaign left. We need more people like you in Washington.
Jimmy Stewart is looking down upon you as you read this.
Also Will Hahn will pull over and let you by (anytime) for the rest of your life, and his.
Nice Effort, Dude !!!