While Muscle Milk MDK KTM’s Justin Brayton has been a perennial front runner in the Lites class the past two years, it has been his one-off 450 rides that have earned him the most success and notoriety. In fact, it was his second place at Bercy in 2008 that even garnered some praise from James Stewart. After hearing several rumors about his plans for the upcoming 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championships, we caught up with the 25 year old in Las Vegas for some clarification.
Racer X: Justin, what’s this I hear about you racing a 450 in this summer’s Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championships?
Justin Brayton: Yeah, it’s true. I really enjoy riding the 450, every time that I have been on it I have been top ten. At KTM Josh Summey has both an indoor and outdoor deal, while Travis Preston has a Supercross-only contract. Likewise, Wil Hahn had a supercross-only deal. I really like Wil a lot, and I feel that he deserves to be racing outdoors. He is a very talented kid. I’m more confident on a 450, and I think that I’ll do better on one – not that our Lites bike is not one of the best out there. I just feel that this will be a better fit for me, with Wil filling in on the 250 and me riding the 450. I believe that it’s a win-win situation for us, and I am really looking forward to it. Next year I am also thinking about trying to put a deal together where I can race one the entire season.
Based on your past experience and any testing that you may have already done, where do you see yourself finishing in the big bike class?
Well, I do have some personal goals that I set, but I still have not actually ridden our outdoor 450 at all yet – not even one day. I’ve really wanted to focus on the last couple West Coast Supercross races, and this one [the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout], but Monday morning you can bet that I will be out testing the 450! As I said, I set some personal goals, and right now I’m keeping them to myself, but I think that I am going to do well this summer, and definitely turn some heads. I am really looking forward to it!
Anything that you want to add Justin?
For sure, I really want to thank the team. Muscle Milk, MDK, and KTM have been behind me 100%. I won’t be around the Muscle Milk people too much anymore as I will be joining Jaegermeister, but will still see them somewhat. Muscle Milk has been such an awesome sponsor, and I cannot thank them enough. It’s been my entire team, and in particular my mechanic Rich that have put a lot of effort into this season. Maybe we didn’t quite get the results that we wanted, but we did get a few podiums.
Justin Brayton: Yeah, it’s true. I really enjoy riding the 450, every time that I have been on it I have been top ten. At KTM Josh Summey has both an indoor and outdoor deal, while Travis Preston has a Supercross-only contract. Likewise, Wil Hahn had a supercross-only deal. I really like Wil a lot, and I feel that he deserves to be racing outdoors. He is a very talented kid. I’m more confident on a 450, and I think that I’ll do better on one – not that our Lites bike is not one of the best out there. I just feel that this will be a better fit for me, with Wil filling in on the 250 and me riding the 450. I believe that it’s a win-win situation for us, and I am really looking forward to it. Next year I am also thinking about trying to put a deal together where I can race one the entire season.
Based on your past experience and any testing that you may have already done, where do you see yourself finishing in the big bike class?
Well, I do have some personal goals that I set, but I still have not actually ridden our outdoor 450 at all yet – not even one day. I’ve really wanted to focus on the last couple West Coast Supercross races, and this one [the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout], but Monday morning you can bet that I will be out testing the 450! As I said, I set some personal goals, and right now I’m keeping them to myself, but I think that I am going to do well this summer, and definitely turn some heads. I am really looking forward to it!
Anything that you want to add Justin?
For sure, I really want to thank the team. Muscle Milk, MDK, and KTM have been behind me 100%. I won’t be around the Muscle Milk people too much anymore as I will be joining Jaegermeister, but will still see them somewhat. Muscle Milk has been such an awesome sponsor, and I cannot thank them enough. It’s been my entire team, and in particular my mechanic Rich that have put a lot of effort into this season. Maybe we didn’t quite get the results that we wanted, but we did get a few podiums.
