Friday, January 4

Interview - Tim Ferry

By MotoWorld.com Staff Writer
MotoWorld.com

Tim Ferry just came off the best season of his life, but less than a week before the start of the highly anticipated 2002 EA Sport Supercross season, he crashed in a practice session and tore cartilage in his knee. In this two-part interview, Tim elaborates on the extent of the injury, re-caps his 2001 season, sets goals for 2002, and talks about the YZ 426F.

Tim Ferry will miss at least the first round due to a minor knee injury suffered while practicing.

PART I

MotoWorld.com: To get right down to business, Tim, what happened?

Tim Ferry: I crashed last Sunday at my track (Florida) and I tore some meniscus in my knee. It actually got stuck at the joint and my knee locked up for three days but I didn't have surgery until Wednesday (Jan 2). I haven't actually moved much, just been recovering.

MW.com: This is quite a damper to not even get to the first round of the series. You still seem to be in good spirits though.

TF: Yeah, it's still a bummer, because I was definitely ready for the first round, more now than ever. It seems like every year I don't get any points at the first race anyway (laughs). I only scored one point last year and the year before, and this year I'm hurt, but I'll be back for the second or third round.

MW.com: A lot of people are saying you'll miss up to three rounds, but from what the doctor said, you'll be back in 7-10 days.

TF: I'm going to try, I'll see how I feel. I don't want to push it too much, but I'll definitely make it back for the third race.

MW.com: Doesn't sound like you'll lose too much.

TF: No, It could have been worse. I wish it would have never happened but I've had a knee injury before that held me back a lot longer. This is pretty minor, I can already walk on it without crutches.

MW.com: So, how was your holiday? Knowing you, you trained all the way through December.

TF: Pretty much actually, I did. The holidays were good, but the time between Christmas and New Year's wasn't too good to me. Other than that, we had a good Christmas and I'm just looking forward to getting back to racing.

MW.com: How's that Yamaha been thumping?

TF: Really good. I'm really bummed because I felt like I was ready and that bike was dialed in, but we'll be ready when I come back and that's the main thing.

PART II

Part two of this interview was conducted before Christmas during a taping of MotoWorld.

MotoWorld.com: What are your expectations for the 2002 Supercross series?

Tim Ferry: Yes, I am looking forward to this year. I had a good year in 2001 and a very strong off-season for testing on the Yamaha 426.

MW.com: Testing is crucial especially on a bike that you have only been on for a year. What is your outlook for the 2002 season?

TF: I have a great outlook for 2002 because it has taken me a year to get used to the Yamaha 426. Bike changes for myself have been minimal but the main change is just getting used to the four-stroke.

MW.com: Is it physically different riding a two-stroke opposed to a four-stroke?

TF: Both bikes handle alike and are basically the same except for different engines. The torque curves are different and the power is smoother on a four-stroke. Again a four-stroke is smoother, sometimes easier to ride but the top end is little faster and therefore less forgiving than a two-stroke.

MW.com: As you look forward to Anaheim what can we expect?

TF: There is definitely going to be some good racing, I am ready - Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath are always ready and there are about four or five other guys that I think are capable of winning. It is definitely going to be a great season for sure.

MW.com: It should be a good season for Team Yamaha. You spent a lot of time in California testing with David Vuillemin and Jeremy McGrath.

TF: We have all been testing together and we started earlier than normal which should put us a little ahead of every one else. We are all healthy and in shape which in turn explains why we are riding so well.

MW.com: You finished very strong at the end of the 2001 Motocross season. Will this momentum carry over into the 2002 Supercross Season?

TF: I had a good outdoor season with a few moto wins and one overall plus two podium finishes in Supercross. I am still getting used to the bike but I am getting faster every time I ride it. I also had a good off-season race at the U.S. Open with a second place finish on the first night and a crash on the second but my speed was there.

MW.com: Moto wins in New Berlin and Troy to go along with four straight podium finishes to end the Motocross season. You were probably one of the only guys sad to see that season end and be forced to take a break.

TF: I was actually. During the season we tend to say I need a break but after a couple weeks off I usually get anxious to go back to racing and I am definitely ready for Anaheim.

MW.com: Sixth place finish overall in the 2001 Supercross series was the best you have had but where would you like to be at the end of 2002?

TF: Sixth was a good start for me with factory Team Yamaha and the four-stoke. I think anything better than that would have probably put to much pressure on myself. This year I am going for some wins in Supercross and try to stay consistent in order to finish in the top three at the end of the year. I am also aiming for an outdoor championship.

MW.com: What is going to be the key to success in Supercross this year?

TF: Consistency and holeshots are a big key. Ricky Carmichael took a bunch of starts last year which made it easier for him to take the championship. That's how Jeremy McGrath compiled a bunch of his championship titles. This year consistency on the holeshot is going to be important so, if you are going to win races you need the holeshot or at least be second or third in order to contend for a championship title.

MW.com: You mentioned the word consistency and in 1997 you won the 125cc East Coast Championship Title without even winning a race so, it is proven that it can be done. And it has to be nice having a mechanic like Brian Kinney.

TF: Yes for sure. Brian is a great mechanic, he worked with Jimmy Button and has been with Yamaha for at least three or four years now with the four-strokes. Even before then, he worked with street bikes which makes me feel comfortable so, I would not want any one else and am happy to have him back.

MW.com: What happened last year with the Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath situation. How high has the bar been raised?

TF: I don't know that it has been raised that much higher I just think that Ricky was a little bit faster last year. This year there will be more competition since everyone is more prepared. McGrath and Vuillemin are definitely prepared since I have been testing with them. I have also been doing some riding with Ezra Lusk since he has changed bikes and he seems to have a new attitude. The 2002 Supercross season is going to be promising.

MW.com: Last year proved to have very few contenders but how many people do you think can compete in 2002?

TF: I think there is about five or six guys that can win races but I don't know how many of them can be consistent. I also don't believe that getting second every week will win a championship so, some first place finishes will be a necessity.

MW.com: Obviously Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath will be fierce competitors but who else would you put on that list.

TF: I would say Kevin Windham, Ezra Lusk, David Vuillemin, Mike LaRocco, and myself of course. This is going to be a good year, I think everyone is prepared to go after Ricky Carmichael this Supercross season.

MW.com: Just a few months ago MotoWorld visited your home in Southern Florida. Tell us about your house, which is where you do your riding, training and everything.

TF: Yes I do most everything there which makes it easy for me by eliminating the need to travel. I just go out the garage and head out to the track which enables me to be back at home for lunch in order to spend time with my wife and dogs. It is definitely more relaxed than waking up at 7:00 am and leaving for the track which allows me to rest more often and in turn makes me a stronger rider.

MW.com: And if you're looking for sweat you can do that in South Florida, right?

TF: It definitely gets hot in Florida for the summer time which is good for training and endurance. I spend time in California also training with Yamaha since there is no better place to train than in Florida or California.

MW.com: I need to ask about and up and comer from Orlando named James "Bubba" Stewart. Have you had the chance to ride with him and check out his skills?

TF: I have been riding with him a little since the end of the outdoor season and he is riding very well. He is fast and deserves every bit of hype that is given.

MW.com: I have to ask you about the 2003 Supercross series. We have a split now between the AMA and Clear Channel that is well documented. Have you had a chance to pay attention to what is going on?

TF: No, I have not really followed it that much. I try not to worry about that since it is still far off in the future and my main concern now is the first round of 2002 at Anaheim on January 5th.

MW.com: We wish you the best of luck in 2002 and beyond.

TF: Thank you.