Nathan Ramsey bounced back from a difficult 2007 season to finish seventh overall in the final '08 Supercross-class standings. The 34-year-old is primed for another year in the premier class, but as yet does not have a ride. We checked in with the 1999 AMA 125cc West Region SX champ for this update.
Racer X: Nate, the 2009 L&M Yamaha team has been announced with James Stewart and Kyle Chisholm. Where does that put you?
Nathan Ramsey: Well, I’m in a bit of a tough position now. Unfortunately, I got a late start looking for a ride, as I was led to believe that I had a deal with L&M. Many of the deals were already gone when I found out through the internet that they had signed Kyle Chisholm. Right now the teams, and overall industry, is taking such a big step backwards that it's very difficult to find anything.
It’s pretty well known that you're good friends with Chad Reed. Did his situation with L&M affect things for you?
No, not at all. Chad’s deal had nothing whatsoever to do with me. It would certainty have been nice to continue with him and the same program that we had there, but obviously, Larry didn’t want that.
Are you talking with other teams at this point?
Oh, yeah, for sure. I'm trying to talk to other people, but with each passing week it gets worse and worse. Times are tough. I’ve been around for a while, and I have never seen it this bad.
Let's switch over to the past summer. What did you do?
Well, I've had a great summer. We have taken a couple of family trips, as well as taking a trip with just the grown-ups. It was nice to be at home with my wife and kids and do a lot of normal stuff.
Did you keep in touch with what was happening in the AMA nationals this past summer?
For sure, I did keep up with the racing. Of course, it’s always better if you're actually there week in and week out to know what’s really going on. Looking at it from the outside, it seemed like there was less and less enthusiasm. I could be wrong, but that's the vibe that I got. But I think, with some of the very recent changes announced for 2009, that motocross will be much better.
Nathan Ramsey: Well, I’m in a bit of a tough position now. Unfortunately, I got a late start looking for a ride, as I was led to believe that I had a deal with L&M. Many of the deals were already gone when I found out through the internet that they had signed Kyle Chisholm. Right now the teams, and overall industry, is taking such a big step backwards that it's very difficult to find anything.
It’s pretty well known that you're good friends with Chad Reed. Did his situation with L&M affect things for you?
No, not at all. Chad’s deal had nothing whatsoever to do with me. It would certainty have been nice to continue with him and the same program that we had there, but obviously, Larry didn’t want that.
Are you talking with other teams at this point?
Oh, yeah, for sure. I'm trying to talk to other people, but with each passing week it gets worse and worse. Times are tough. I’ve been around for a while, and I have never seen it this bad.
Let's switch over to the past summer. What did you do?
Well, I've had a great summer. We have taken a couple of family trips, as well as taking a trip with just the grown-ups. It was nice to be at home with my wife and kids and do a lot of normal stuff.
Did you keep in touch with what was happening in the AMA nationals this past summer?
For sure, I did keep up with the racing. Of course, it’s always better if you're actually there week in and week out to know what’s really going on. Looking at it from the outside, it seemed like there was less and less enthusiasm. I could be wrong, but that's the vibe that I got. But I think, with some of the very recent changes announced for 2009, that motocross will be much better.
Without being signed by a team at this point, are you still training and riding?
Yes, I've been doing some riding and have been continuing with my training—actually, I never really stopped that part. But for the first time in a long, long while, since the early 1990s, I had to go out and buy a motorcycle—that hurt [laughs].
What are your finial thoughts on racing in 2009?
I guess that I believe everything happens for a reason. If this is it for me, then I'm very happy to have been around for as long as I have. If I can't get a good enough deal, then I'll hang it up. If I do have to retire, I still would love to stay a part of the sport, and I'm pretty open to new ideas and different opportunities. Actually, I'm even thinking of trying monster trucks!{LINKS}
Yes, I've been doing some riding and have been continuing with my training—actually, I never really stopped that part. But for the first time in a long, long while, since the early 1990s, I had to go out and buy a motorcycle—that hurt [laughs].
What are your finial thoughts on racing in 2009?
I guess that I believe everything happens for a reason. If this is it for me, then I'm very happy to have been around for as long as I have. If I can't get a good enough deal, then I'll hang it up. If I do have to retire, I still would love to stay a part of the sport, and I'm pretty open to new ideas and different opportunities. Actually, I'm even thinking of trying monster trucks!{LINKS}
