Photos by: Hoppenworld
These “Privateer Showcase” interviews presented by Race Tech Suspension at MotoXAddicts tell the stories of the guys in the trenches week in and week out trying to chase their dream of racing professional Motocross. While the riders at the front of the pack get the money, the T.V. time and the glory that goes with it, there’s a huge pack of guys just hoping to become regulars in the big show. We will talk to them and get their stories about trying to break through to that next level with little or no help.
This week’s “Privateer Showcase” interview is with a third year pro who had begun to make a name for himself in the 2016 250SX Western Regional Supercross Championship and is pushing hard to take it to the next level in the 450MX class of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Last year, George Gee Auto Company backed Noah McConahy scored twelve points in the 450MX class outdoors to earn his first national number as a professional, but after matching that points total in three 2016 250SX main event appearances, Noah has already scored twenty-four points in the first four rounds of the outdoor nationals. The Husqvarna rider will be moving way up the national number list in 2017.
The #96 has scored points in all but two 450MX motos, and he really began turning heads last weekend at High Point where he went 16-15 for a career best fifteenth overall. In moto one, Noah started outside the top twenty and battled his way up to sixteenth after thirty-minutes plus two laps. In moto two, Noah started fifteenth and kept it there until the checkered flag waved. In a class stacked with factory bikes, Noah is proving to everyone—and most importantly himself—that he belongs. With the 450MX injury list growing every weekend, it’s probably just a matter of time before Noah gets a call to fill in, and he looks ready.
Not knowing much about Noah, we decided to give him a call to find out more about him and what he attributes his 2016 results to.
Noah, you’re originally from the Spokane area, right?
Yeah, I’m originally from Spokane. The last two years, I’ve been living with my trainer, Kevin Urquhart, in Temecula, California. That’s where motocross is, and it’s perfect for me. Not only do I live with my trainer, but I have WP [Suspension], Husqvarna all there.
What was your amateur career like? I’ve lived up in the Pacific Northwest since ’94, so I know it’s not easy with all the rain.
I rode my whole life, but while my older brother [Nick] did the outdoor Nationals, I would travel with him. I did a few races here and there, but when I was fifteen I really started riding again. I hadn’t raced in like four years, so I did the C class that year [2009] at Loretta’s. I didn’t get the overall, but I won two motos. I did two years in the B class, but I was always a fifth place guy just behind the factory guys. Every now and then I would have a breakout ride—like I got a second one moto at Loretta’s—but I never really broke through and got that opportunity. Pretty soon then my confidence is high and then I start believing I can battle with factory guys. It doesn’t matter that they’re factory guys, I’m better than them.
The first time I really heard your name at the nationals was last year. You scored some points outdoors and earned number 96, but 2016 has been a completely different story. What do you attribute the huge improvements this year to?
I think, honestly, it’s everything. When I got done doing outdoors, I told myself, I’m either going to figure it out or not. I don’t want to be one of those guys that just barely makes the top forty. I don’t want to be a privateer for the rest of my life. I want to be on a team, and I want to get paid to do what I want to do. So I told myself I would surround myself with better people and really work on my program. Also, I was not in the best shape last year, so I put my head down and lost some weight. Switching to Husqvarna and JMC Motorsports was also one of the moves. WP Suspension was also a big step in the right direction for me, but the final piece of the puzzle for me was getting my trainer Kevin.
When did you start working with Kevin?
I didn’t start working with him until the second round of [2016] Supercross, and it was like a light switch. The moment I started working with him I started making mains, and then, by the end of the season, I was almost in the top ten. We just kept improving, improving, improving.
You got over that hump of reading the names on the back of the jerseys. I’ve talked to a lot of guys coming up, and that’s one of the biggest turning points for a lot of them.
Yeah, it’s hard when you’re on the line and you don’t believe in yourself, but Kevin was a good pro himself, so I know everything he’s telling me, he’s been there and done it. I believe in what he’s telling me, everything we’ve worked on from technique to physical training. I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m still going to get into better shape and get even better technique. So it’s been a big switch of everything.
What’s a week like for you in between races, like traveling from High Point to Muddy Creek? Give us a glimpse into privateer life.
This week, we drove from High Point [Mount Morris, Pa.] to Alex Ray’s house in Tennessee. Monday is prep everything for the week and do a road bike ride. Tuesday and Wednesday we went out to Fast Farms out in Altamont, TN. We did motos and stayed in a hotel. Now we’re back at Alex’s, and Thursday’s are usually bike work days—you know, prep for the week: filters, oil, graphics, sprockets and stuff like that. It all needs switched out. I have a pretty good routine now. I’ve been doing this for three years [as a pro], so now I at least have a weekly routine down.
We’re four rounds into the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motcoross Championship and you’re 21st in the 450MX Championship. That puts only Freddie Noren—who works as a test rider for factory Honda—ahead of you on the top privateer list. You had a career high 15th overall last weekend at High Point. How do you think your season’s going?
I’m happy. I’m a little frustrated because I’ve scored points in every moto I’ve finished, but I didn’t finish two motos. In those two motos I crashed. In the second moto of Hangtown I crashed, chipped a bone in my wrist and had to have surgery on it after Thunder Valley. I’ve kind of been lingering that along. I know my speed is good right now. If you look at the lap charts, 12th through 15th is right where I’m at right now. I’m happy with last weekend—a 16-15. That was what my goal was for every single moto this season. I wanted to be top 15 for every single moto. When teams are looking for fill in riders, they want consistent guys. I just want to prove to them that every single moto I can be right there. I’m pumped with how the season is going. The work we’ve put in is paying off, but I also feel that it’s nowhere near where I can finish. This week we had a really good week of riding and training in Tennessee and I really like Muddy Creek, so I’m hoping for a 13-13 or a 14-14 moto score—just baby steps—and slowly work my way up to the top 10.
As you’re results are getting better, are you starting to hear anything from any of the teams? We all know Husqvarna lost a rider this week with Jason Anderson going out injured and you are the top privateer Husky rider. Are you hearing anything?
I think it’s kind of surreal and fun because I have had people messaging me saying, “I hope you get that ride, man.” For me, I’ve called and messaged about as many people as I can. Right now, it’s not in my hands whether it works out or not. I want it to work out. I want that opportunity, and I definitely think I would do good with the opportunity. I’m not a guy that would waste it. We’ll see what happens this weekend, but it doesn’t change my approach to the racing at all. I’ll still show up to the race, race and do my best. Whether I get that opportunity or not, I’m thankful I get to go racing every weekend.
