Shane: Could you please tell us a little about yourself, where
you are from, what you do for a living, when/how you started racing,
you home club, etc?
Chris: Well I'm 19 and have been riding BMX since 1983. I have
lived in Alice Springs Northern Territory for 17 years. My home
track is the Red Centre BMX Club, where we have about 100 riders.
I'm in my second year as an apprentice carpenter.
Shane: What is racing like in the NT at the moment, being
so isolated wouldn't it be hard to get some good competition?
Chris: There are 6 clubs in the Northern Territory BMX Association,
3 in Darwin,1 in Katherine, 1 in Nhulunbuy and 1 in Alice Springs.
Competition hasn't been to bad however in the older classes lack
of numbers is a big problem. I have therefore travelled interstate
for some big events.
Shane: What is your best result at the nationals?
Chris: My best result a the National Title was Australia No.
5 in the 17-18 Junior Elites, Tamworth NSW.
Shane: What did you think your chances were at the worlds
when you entered? I know many riders, myself included, just entered
to ride indoor and to see and/or race against the worlds best
and see what happens, was it the same for you?
Chris: When the Indoor venue was proposed for the 1998 World
Title I felt that it would suit me because it would be tight and
technical. My expectation was to half the field. Like you and
others I could not wait to ride against the best riders in the
world. Most of these rider I looked up to during my junior years
in BMX, especially Gary Ellis who was my hero.
Shane: What did you think of the Worlds track and venue? Did
your thought about the track change as you progressed through
the eliminations?
Chris: I loved the track and the venue. The track was tighter
than I expected. However it still suited me because of my lack
of speed out of the gate.
Shane: There hasn't been an Aussie in the Elite Class final
at the Worlds probably since Anthony Waye, how did it feel to
be out there on the starting gate knowing that every Aussie in
the 'Sold Out' stadium were watching and cheering for you?
Chris: I really could not express in words how I felt as I progress
though the motos. I kept on taking one race at time, ,just trying
to finish in top 4. I became more and more nervous as I progress
through the motos. I just went as fast as I could. I though I
was having a dream.
Shane: I heard people say you were just lucky, but luck or
not, you seemed to do what needed to be done to make the main.A
top five finish at the Worlds will be a difficult result to follow
up, and there will be a few people at the next Aussies looking
out for you, expecting results. What are your plans? Will you
be training your ass off, or will you stick to whatever it was
that worked for you back at the Worlds?
Chris: I watch the video of the 1998 World Titles and yes I agree
that I had some luck. I did a lot of training between the Aussies
and the Worlds and suppose I will continue doing that. I don't
care what other people expect of me I go out and ride to the best
of my ability and hope that it will get me where I want to go.
Shane: What happened after the Worlds? Any sponsorship deals?
Chris: The people of Red Centre BMX Club have been good to me.
The club has congratulated me. No big sponsorship has been forth
coming expect from my parents and some small business in Alice
Springs.
Shane: If there was anything about BMX you would like to change
what would it be?
Chris: Have more rhythms sections less speed tracks.
Shane: Will you be heading off to France in 1999? Or any other
international events?
Chris: I will see after the 1999 Australian Titles. It depends
on lots of things, cost being a problem. The idea sounds good.
Shane: What music do you listen to?
Chris: I'm into many different kinds of music, ie: Powderfinger,
Nirvana, Pennywise, Tool and a bit of Pantera etc.
Shane: What do you think of Neil Young?
Chris: Neil Young any relation to Johnny Young
Shane: What are your favourite BMX Web sites?
Chris: I'm not one for the Internet but I have looked at DME,
UCI, Dans Competition, BMX Victoria, Krankin, Ultra BMX seems
cool.
Shane: Did you get to meet any of the 'Great' riders, Thomas
Allier, John Purse, Gary Ellis, etc?
Chris: The only great rides I met at the Worlds was Christophe
Leveque, John Purse. It would have been good to meet Gary Ellis
but I suppose I may never get the opportunity. As he is retiring.
