Monday Conversation: Zach Bell
Monday, August 6, 2012 | 10:10 AM
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PrintGEICO/Factory Connection Honda’s Zach Bell, 17, completed his amateur career with four moto wins in six tries at the Red Bull AMA Amateur Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch. For that, he earned the coveted AMA Horizon Award. He now heads to Southwick this weekend to make his pro debut. We talked to him during Saturday’s closing ceremonies at the Ranch.
Racer X: Zach Bell, Horizon Award Winner. How does that sound?
Zach Bell: Sounds great! I’ve been working really hard for this and finally got it. Now we’re going into the pro ranks. I’m ready to get out there and show everybody what I can do.
Just explain to people that might not be familiar with your amateur career. Really good? Great? Do you feel like you left anything on the table? Sum up your amateur career and how you felt it went for you.
Ever since 1999, I’ve been up on the podium but in the past three years, I’ve been on an injury roll. Now I’m off that and I got a championship here and now we’re going to Southwick and I’m ready to go.
Bell won the coveted AMA Horizon Award at Loretta's.
Mark Pearson photo
Injury roll?
Yes.
Take us through that.
Back in 2009 I had a pretty big mess up, I had a broken back and a broken hip. Then I got healed up from that, broken femur and broken arm, I was out for another year. Now I’m healed up and ready to ride—I’m anxious right now.
What do you learn from injuries like that at such a young age?
You know, patience. You mature a little bit more. When you’re out on the track you try to pick the right lines and not just pin it through any line you see.
You’re showing patience, but this week you also showed that the speed is there when you need it.
Yeah when they would pick it up I could pick it up ever more. I didn’t need to push 100 percent to win. I did have a few bad races, but whatever happens, happens, I’m still happy with the week.
I heard you have some sand skills, so is Southwick a good race for your first one?
Yes, I have a sand track at home and I’m comfortable on it. Southwick is going to be a good debut track for me, I practice in the sand all the time.
With your team, you have some big shoes to fill, because so many of your teammates have come in and ridden well in their debut races. Does that add pressure, or is it just good to know you have a good team around you?
You know with Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia up front all season in points, just everyone at the GEICO, Amsoil, Factory Connection, Honda team is good. I just want to get up there and ride with those guys and show what I can do.
Bell (14) will make his pro debut at Southwick this weekend.
Mark Pearson photo
Can you put a number on where you expect to be?
I really can’t put a number on it, but I went out to Eli Tomac’s house for a week and we did a lot of training and I learned a lot from them. I guess I’m really hoping for a top five.
And what do you think the differences might be at the pro level?
You know, the team has just said it’s going to be a lot harder. The pace is going to be even more intense and the races last longer, so I have to work my way into that. Hopefully it goes well.
You have four titles here during your career, and now you’re leaving Loretta’s as a racer. Is that a little sad?
You know I might come back somewhere down the road and do what Ricky [Carmichael] is doing right now. I’m really a little depressed, you know, this place is fun and I have a lot of good memories here. I just wanted to do the best I could in my last year here, and I got the Horizon Award, so I’m really happy.
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This guy has serious speed, I think he will be a threat from now on as a pro.
LOT'S of fast kids coming up the last few years, REAL fast.
I went to Lorettas and watched Zach this year. Trust me speed is NO problem and ive been to 2 outdoor nats as well. Zachs only problem was crashing. He lost the open pro sport title due to crashing but he still came back with speed. He got 3rd that 1st moto with 4 crashes in it. The 7th was what he came back to after a crash in the sand where he didnt pick up the bike until he was dead last. And finally the final moto, much like all of his motos in 250 A, was complete annialation as he destroyed the entire class when it looked as if he wasnt even trying that hard. The kids got talent coming out of his nose. Non to mention theres like 10 guys who can win in B class and the other 30 can up 1 second and theyll be right there plus the unbelievable talent in the minis. This sports in good hands
That last photo looks like he is in the process of putting in a killer lap on Mad Skills Motocross.
I wish these kids could learn to live in the moment instead of always looking forward. When they run out of forward, then they finally realize how much they missed, regardless of the accomplishments. Stay in the moment and take alot of mental notes - when you are old and working a normal job, they will be all you have.
In truth, I really had no forward in my "career" - just another loser, but I learned my lesson about living for tomorrow. Today is yesterday's tomorrow, so enjoy it.
Zach "saved by the" Bell
Isn't he Chris Gosselar's cousin?
bdd-mm-chhh!
Thanks I'll be here all week. Tip your waitress
Really expects a Top 5? should have stopped at "can't put a number on it"
He didn't say he expects a top 5, he said that's what he's hoping for, nothing wrong with that. Top 5 is a very tall order in that class right now, but I'm sure he knows that. All of his teammates have been able to have extremely impressive debuts, so don't jump on the kid when you really don't know what to expect. Can't wait to be there at the Wick to see how it's all gonna go down.
# is he runnin??
Long as he gets reasonable starts, top 10 is doable. Can't imagine him running with the top 5 guys yet.
dont live your brand "Young and reckless"
I predict 8th overall
Top 10, very doable depending how he starts, Not suprised if he falls into the 10-15 mark,
The successful kids are groomed to think, speak and expect success. It's not out of the ordinary for them to claim results others think are tall orders.
He's got a sand track at home everybody, how hard can Southwick be???
Soooo, by osmosis I should be able to top 20 the 'Wick easy 'cause I ride at Glamis all the time. Sand is my beeyatch.
Good observations re: life, BigUglyManiac, seriously. And yeah, I know ya'll are going to say 'let up, he's just a kid', but I have to joke that Bell gets the You Know Award for this interview.
Top 5.........
As Vincent Vega said in PulpFiction ' That's a mghty bold statement"
Go kick some A** .
JimM
Seems like a mature 17 year old and I look forward to him joining the ever growing talent pool in the 250's. Having said that; top 5 is not going to happen. Not a big deal but he'll learn really fast choose his words carefully when asked those kind of questions.
Not to say anything bad about Zach, cuz we all know he is one heck of a rider, but his title was made a little easier when Jeremy Martin dislocated his shoulder, and couldn't race. They have gone back and forth throughout thier amateur careers. Maybe Zach would have still won. But quite possibly not. We will never know, as there are way too many "if's" in this sport. Can't wait for Jeremy to make his pro debute in the last couple races!
Little plug for the MN boy Bucky?? LOL
.With good starts Zach will do well, but a start outside the top 20 will really show if he is good if he makes it into the top 10.
I'm happy for the kid. I see nothing wrong with him hoping for a top 5 finish. But I think with the depth of talent in the lites class this year, Zach is likely going to get a wake up call just like last year's Wonder Kid, Justin Bogle. The main difference is that Zach seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Bogle does not.
Can't help it, BillC! Was so looking forward to his debute at the Wick. And his last race at the Ranch. Oh well, it could have been worse. Was talking to his dad the other day, and he said they really want to do the last two, so he has an idea of what to expect. As in see where he sits in the croud. He is such a good guy. Just like Alex. I hope he gets some podiums soon so he can back up what I'm saying!
@ Not4show, I am with you. Should have quit at " No number on it" However a kid has got to have lofty goals to compete this day in age. Especially in the WIDE OPEN class. Zach is incredibly fast as his times everywhere attest.
I just think he did not run through the names in his head before he said top 5....
Ahhhh lets see there is, ahh
Bagget
Barcia
Tomac
Roczen
Musquin
Hahn
and ahh 30+2 in the sand twice? Maybe I should count
Wharton, Stewart and a few others?
Wow, top 10 would be awesome!