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| Features |
| EKN Interview Series: Kyle Martin |
| Article by: - by Jeffrey Franz |
 | | Kyle Martin |
The Excuse Bag.
It's that over-used piece of luggage where many a racer has delved, usually in search of a contrived reason as to why he wasn't quite fast enough in qualifying, why he could only muster a ninth place finish, or why he ended up on the beach outside of Turn Three. Basically, a driver turns to the salvation of the Excuse Bag whenever he isn't willing to point the finger at himself.
Few are the racers who don't bother carrying this dreaded item, as they have the honesty, self-confidence, and integrity to admit their own mistakes.
Kyle Martin is one such driver. He will readily acknowledge the aspects of his racecraft that need improving, and how those shortcomings have cost him in the past. But there is no sign of any lingering disappointments, just a clear desire to improve his game one final notch that might very well lead him to the 2001 SKUSA ProMoto title.
Ekartingnews: Similar to Memo Gidley, you began your racing career aboard two wheels.
Kyle Martin: I started out racing motocross when I was nine, and rode for about seven years. Then, when I turned sixteen, I got a shifterkart for my birthday. I did some road racing, and I did pretty well in the 125cc class. There was this local series that had a big purse, paying $1000 for a win. I won four in a row, and then they stopped paying!
EKN: It seems that motocross riders have little difficulty making the transition to karting. Any thoughts on that?
KM: I would have to say it's because riding on dirt teaches you how to push, how to find the limit. In comparison, asphalt has a lot more grip, which makes things easier on yourself. When I got into a kart, I was almost fearless. I hate to say that, but that's how it felt compared to motocross. After all, when you make a mistake on a bike, you often fall on your head- and it hurts.
EKN: What is your favorite form of motorsport?
KM: Road racing motorcycles- I think it's the coolest sport on earth. My uncle is Michael Martin; he rode for Team Valvoline for five or six years, so I've been around the road racing tracks for a long time. I've done it once myself, and if I could do any type of racing, that's what it would be. But my family is smarter than that. They've seen what happens to motorcycle road racers, they've been there, I've been there, and I've seen people get killed. I've been there at the track when it's happened, when they make that announcement. And it happens at least twice a year. So, understandably, my family has tried to keep me away from that form of racing.
EKN: Is a career outside of motorsports something that you often think about?
KM: I think about it every day. A lot of the guys just expect to be car racers, but I'm a little bit different. My dad owns the shop I work at (M4 Products), and I'll likely end up taking over the place. Sure, if somebody ever offered me a good deal to go car racing, then I'd be right there. So even though my plans for this next year are to be a kart racer and to win some SKUSA races, I will still develop the business back home because that gives me a realistic back-up plan.
EKN: What aspects of Kyle Martin's driving could be improved upon from last year?
KM: Practicing more and being a lot smoother, and not so aggressive with the chassis. I'm pretty much a motocrosser in my kart, so I get carried away sometimes. I have to learn to settle down a little bit, because when you've got rules like they have in SKUSA, you really have to take care of the tires. So I need to work on saving them and be a bit calmer earlier in the weekend, then have something left for the end. I earned two or three poles last year and then dropped off the pace in the main, so there you go.
When I started in karts, I could always go fast, but when I went to the SuperNationals my first year I didn't even make the main. I didn't know anything about chassis set-up. And that's when I realized, oh, this is not so easy. So I moved to San Francisco for a year and helped out at the Trackmagic shop, and that's when I learned how to set up a kart.
EKN: What's the one thing you would change about the way karting is organized in the United States?
KM: Things are on the right track, but I would definitely change the race tracks. We need to bring the show to the people. The Thrill Events from last year, the race in Barrie, Ontario, they were great because there were so many spectators. There needs to be more of that.
EKN: Are you in favor of the format for the 2001 ProMoto Tour?
KM: It ought to be good. I like that it will be one series where everyone goes head to head in all five races. I really didn't agree with last year's west coast/ east coast deal. It was like two championships that were combined in the end, and I know a lot of us drivers were disappointed with that.
EKN: Who are the three drivers that you feel will be your toughest competition in 2001?
KM: Obviously, we saw that Scott Speed was fast at the SuperNationals, so I'm going to have to say him. I tell you, my teammate Oliver Rowen is really going well out in California right now. He's been doing a lot of testing. And I'm not really sure if Darren Elliott is racing, but if he is, don't ever count him out. |
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