For a professional rider downtime is few and far between. Between training, testing and all the other closed door preparation a successful campaign demands you could assume that time away from the bike would be coveted. But when you’re career is more than a hobby it’s something you do every chance you get—especially when vacationing in Southern California, the Mecca of motorsport and home of Monster Energy. So we loaded up a van load of equipment and spent a day flying off jumps at Pala Raceway followed by another afternoon getting sideways around Perris Raceway’s dirt oval—laughing and poking fun at each other like it was our very first-time riding.
“It’s wicked,” describes Ernie Vigil, 33, whose nine-to-five grind consists of pulling sideways, tire smoking maneuvers you wouldn’t think possible at the controls of Triumph street bikes. “I grew up riding dirt as a kid so it’s great to be able to take a break from stunt riding and come out here and charge. It’s crazy because when I rode dirt as a kid I learned a lot that helped my stunt riding. And now the stunt riding is helping my dirt skills.”
(Top) Freestyle sportbike rider, Ernie Vigil, enjoyed riding flat track so much that he ordered a set-up for his dirt bike on his way home from Perris Raceway (Centers) Two-time AMA Superbike champ, Josh Hayes, 36, is a modern day Renaissance man showing a high-level of skill and style at virtually all sports. Although Josh Hayes (right) has only been flat track riding for a short time note his veteran-like style as compared to retired AMA National Flat Tracker Johnny Murphree (left). Hayes could easily qualify for a Motorcycle-Superstore.com 450 Single main. (Bottom) For racers like Chaz Davies and Josh Hayes riding dirt bikes is a great way to kick back a little and relax during the short off-season.
Just like racing, the art of freestyle riding is all about finding the limit—that magic threshold between control and destruction. And whether you’re leaning into a rut or hacking it sideways into a turn there is a surprising amount of crossover between sports.
“When I was growing up I would push it so far but I didn’t really know my limits,” continues the Albuquerque, New Mexico native. “And now with the stunt riding and drifting, I’m just more comfortable with getting crazy and riding on the edge. Motorcycling’s just cool in general and I have a blast doing it—that’s why I’m here.”
While Ernie was fortunate enough to ride as a tike, two-time American SuperBike champ and Monster Graves Yamaha rider Josh Hayes, 36, never hopped on a dirt bike until later in life. Although he’s a late bloomer you’d never tell by the way he rips around the track. Whether it’s moto, flat track or, of course, on asphalt, Hayes is a motorized Renaissance man. Guess it’s one of the reasons why he’s the reigning Superbike champ.
“I think I always have,” reveals the factory Yamaha R1 Superbike racer when asked why he enjoys riding off-road. “Just the way things worked out I got into road racing first. I was probably 25-years-old before I ever got onto a motocross bike. I always wanted to before that, I just never had the chance. It’s so much damn fun.”
“I had to catch up,” the Mississippian explains, who also lives part-time in SoCal. “I started even road racing at a fairly late age. I had to catch up with everyone on experience and motocross is available anywhere and everywhere. I spend a lot of time at it, I really enjoy it… I just wish I was better. Maybe when I’m all done with road racing I’ll try out Loretta Lynn’s in one of the vet classes [laughs].”
The drive to push oneself and become better at your career or sport is a primary motivator for most folks and racers are no different, adds Hayes: “There are so many different obstacles. I’ve never come away saying ‘that’s as good as it gets’. There are days on a road race bike where I definitely thought no one could ride that thing better than me, and I’ve never felt that way on a motocross bike.”
Although he’s only 21, Josh Herrin has plenty of experience on two wheels. The Georgia resident grew up road racing at a young age, having competed aboard mini bikes and 125cc grand prix-style machines before he even had a driver’s license. After three seasons of competition in the AMA Daytona SportBike series (finished runner-up in ’09 and ’11) Herrin is graduating to the American SuperBike class for ’12, teaming with Hayes and the Monster Graves Yamaha squad.
Asked if there are similarities between riding moto and racing street bikes, Herrin answers: “I don’t have the cajones to ride dirt bikes like I do on the street. I chicken out on all the jumps [laughs]. You do learn a lot sliding around and riding dirt bikes is physically a lot harder than road bikes. To come out and ride motocross kind of gets me ready to race. Plus it’s a lot of fun.”
Considering the sunny, mild weather and plentitude of tracks, Californians sometimes take for granted the easy access to first-class riding spots. But for British riders Chaz Davies and Cal Crutchlow, training here during the off-season is a welcome reprise from the cold back home in the UK.
(Left) Cal Cruthlow, of Monster Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP fame enjoys riding in California so much he’s thinking about purchasing a place here. (Center) Reigning World Supersport champ, Chaz Davies, gears up in Alpinestars riding kit (available in Europe). (Right) Chaz Davies pounds out laps at Pala Raceway in Southern Cal.
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