AMA AX Interview of the Week: GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki’s Daniel Aulsaybrok
March 17, 2010 12:51pm
AURORA, Ill. – It’s been a memorable couple of weeks and an even more memorable year for the Georgia-based GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki team. Two weeks ago in Reno, Ray and Josh Woods witnessed their rookie rider A.J. Catanzaro dominate two nights of racing to take full control of the AMA Arenacross Lites Western Regional Championship. Last weekend in Council Bluffs, the Woods’ second-year rider Daniel Aulsaybrook captured his first-career victory to go along with a runner-up result. Now, as the AMA Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship finale commences this weekend from Dayton, Ohio and the Nutter Center, Aulsaybrook sits just four points behind Chad Wages at the top of the standings.
It’s been a solid year for Aulsaybrook, who has been a front-runner at each and every round. After suffering an injury prior to the start of the 2009 season, he wasn’t able to compete and as a result, entered 2010 rejuvenated and with something to prove to not only his competitors and his team, but himself as well.
We caught up with the kid they call “Dano” to get his thoughts on his breakthrough victory as well as his chances at grabbing the title on Saturday night.
Dano, you were finally able to break through and get that elusive first-career victory last weekend. You’ve experienced some ups and downs since making the move into the AMA Arenacross Series. How does it feel to finally achieve that goal?
It feels amazing. Last year I didn’t really get much of a chance to show myself and I didn’t really come in prepared either. For me, this year, I went down to GPF in October and put two to three months of hard work in. I think it has really showed. It took me a while to get that win, but coming into the season I kind of felt like I should be there the whole time.
You got hurt last year heading into your first season in the series and with the Georgia Practice Facility (GPF) team. What did you learn from that to help you understand more about yourself, the sport and what it takes to win?
Basically, arenacross is just a totally different beast. From supercross to motocross, arenacross is just totally different. Basically, the biggest thing I’ve learned from being around arenacross is experience. You have to put your time in. It’s too hard to just jump into it. So learning how everything goes, getting used to the track and the flow of the race is totally different too. Basically, I’ve just learned to become familiar with everything and I guess that’s it.
Your teammate, A.J., has also had a phenomenal year. You’ve both ridden up front pretty much the entire season. Does it allow the two of you to feed off each other and try to beat one another each week?
Oh yeah, definitely. A.J. is a great rider and he’s a young guy too. I really didn’t know too much about him coming in because he was a last-minute decision (for GPF). When he came down to GPF we started riding together and I was like ‘wow.’ We have the same riding style and we both almost have the same speed so I believe we pushed each other to go faster right away. There’s definitely a bit of competition between us two and, I don’t know, I think it’s really good for the both of us. We enjoy racing with each other and it’s awesome to have him on my team for sure.
The GPF squad really tries to take riders under their wings and help them become elite arenacross competitors. What has the commitment from the team meant to you, especially after going down with an injury last season?
Oh man, Team GPF has been everything. The Woods family is so awesome – Ray, Josh, Terry – the whole program. Just having the Georgia Practice Facility and to be a part of that is amazing and I’m glad they’ve stuck with me. I showed last year that I was a hard worker so they knew coming into this year that I work hard for what I do and they knew I wasn’t scared to put in the laps and become a better rider and I believe I did that. Josh is obviously a former professional motocross rider and has a pretty nice resume, so working with him, he knows a lot. I have all the right tools around me and I believe I’ve become a much better arenacross racer and all around racer.
You’re a competitor in the AMA Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship but you have also raced in the Western Regional rounds, winning your first race at one. How has that been an asset to you?
It’s amazing. The west rounds are more of a practice but we still take them seriously. For me to get that win on Saturday was amazing. It was also my best weekend so far. That weekend right there – a huge confidence booster for rolling into this weekend in Dayton. I know where I should be and I know my speed. I took a couple weeks off before Council Bluffs and did some riding with Ryan Sipes and I believe that just talking to him has really boosted my confidence. I’m just ready to get to the race.
You have a chance to win the title this weekend and now you have a huge momentum boost. Do you feel like that championship is up for grabs? Maybe yours for the taking?
Totally. 100 percent. I mean, the beginning of my season started out inconsistent. I came out swinging in Grand Rapids the first night, but I had a bit there where I was pretty inconsistent. Now, Tyler Bright is in the top 10 of the Arenacross class so he’s out of the hunt and I’m only four points behind Chad Wages. I’m going for the championship. Just go out there and race for the win. It’s the best I can do.
What’s the plan for the future of Dano Aulsaybrook? Do you come back to defend the title should you win it?
What is next? Basically, I’m going to go out and race some nationals this summer but a far as arenacross goes, if I do get that title it would be awesome to defend it. However, I’m kind of leaning towards jumping into the (Arenacross) class. I love the lites class and I think it’s a great experience, but I believe I belong in the (Arenacross) class and I think I could really come out with some good results.
Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s Dayton Arenacross at the Nutter Center Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the chance to meet the riders and get autographs. Simply recycle any MONSTER ENERGY can at the gate entrance for FREE admission. Must have valid Saturday event ticket to enter.
Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.
For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.
It’s been a solid year for Aulsaybrook, who has been a front-runner at each and every round. After suffering an injury prior to the start of the 2009 season, he wasn’t able to compete and as a result, entered 2010 rejuvenated and with something to prove to not only his competitors and his team, but himself as well.
We caught up with the kid they call “Dano” to get his thoughts on his breakthrough victory as well as his chances at grabbing the title on Saturday night.
Dano, you were finally able to break through and get that elusive first-career victory last weekend. You’ve experienced some ups and downs since making the move into the AMA Arenacross Series. How does it feel to finally achieve that goal?
It feels amazing. Last year I didn’t really get much of a chance to show myself and I didn’t really come in prepared either. For me, this year, I went down to GPF in October and put two to three months of hard work in. I think it has really showed. It took me a while to get that win, but coming into the season I kind of felt like I should be there the whole time.
You got hurt last year heading into your first season in the series and with the Georgia Practice Facility (GPF) team. What did you learn from that to help you understand more about yourself, the sport and what it takes to win?
Basically, arenacross is just a totally different beast. From supercross to motocross, arenacross is just totally different. Basically, the biggest thing I’ve learned from being around arenacross is experience. You have to put your time in. It’s too hard to just jump into it. So learning how everything goes, getting used to the track and the flow of the race is totally different too. Basically, I’ve just learned to become familiar with everything and I guess that’s it.
Your teammate, A.J., has also had a phenomenal year. You’ve both ridden up front pretty much the entire season. Does it allow the two of you to feed off each other and try to beat one another each week?
Oh yeah, definitely. A.J. is a great rider and he’s a young guy too. I really didn’t know too much about him coming in because he was a last-minute decision (for GPF). When he came down to GPF we started riding together and I was like ‘wow.’ We have the same riding style and we both almost have the same speed so I believe we pushed each other to go faster right away. There’s definitely a bit of competition between us two and, I don’t know, I think it’s really good for the both of us. We enjoy racing with each other and it’s awesome to have him on my team for sure.
The GPF squad really tries to take riders under their wings and help them become elite arenacross competitors. What has the commitment from the team meant to you, especially after going down with an injury last season?
Oh man, Team GPF has been everything. The Woods family is so awesome – Ray, Josh, Terry – the whole program. Just having the Georgia Practice Facility and to be a part of that is amazing and I’m glad they’ve stuck with me. I showed last year that I was a hard worker so they knew coming into this year that I work hard for what I do and they knew I wasn’t scared to put in the laps and become a better rider and I believe I did that. Josh is obviously a former professional motocross rider and has a pretty nice resume, so working with him, he knows a lot. I have all the right tools around me and I believe I’ve become a much better arenacross racer and all around racer.
You’re a competitor in the AMA Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship but you have also raced in the Western Regional rounds, winning your first race at one. How has that been an asset to you?
It’s amazing. The west rounds are more of a practice but we still take them seriously. For me to get that win on Saturday was amazing. It was also my best weekend so far. That weekend right there – a huge confidence booster for rolling into this weekend in Dayton. I know where I should be and I know my speed. I took a couple weeks off before Council Bluffs and did some riding with Ryan Sipes and I believe that just talking to him has really boosted my confidence. I’m just ready to get to the race.
You have a chance to win the title this weekend and now you have a huge momentum boost. Do you feel like that championship is up for grabs? Maybe yours for the taking?
Totally. 100 percent. I mean, the beginning of my season started out inconsistent. I came out swinging in Grand Rapids the first night, but I had a bit there where I was pretty inconsistent. Now, Tyler Bright is in the top 10 of the Arenacross class so he’s out of the hunt and I’m only four points behind Chad Wages. I’m going for the championship. Just go out there and race for the win. It’s the best I can do.
What’s the plan for the future of Dano Aulsaybrook? Do you come back to defend the title should you win it?
What is next? Basically, I’m going to go out and race some nationals this summer but a far as arenacross goes, if I do get that title it would be awesome to defend it. However, I’m kind of leaning towards jumping into the (Arenacross) class. I love the lites class and I think it’s a great experience, but I believe I belong in the (Arenacross) class and I think I could really come out with some good results.
Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s Dayton Arenacross at the Nutter Center Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the chance to meet the riders and get autographs. Simply recycle any MONSTER ENERGY can at the gate entrance for FREE admission. Must have valid Saturday event ticket to enter.
Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.
For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.
