Every fan of this sport dreams of being a able to race Supercross and motocross professionally, and there’s nothing a fan loves more than seeing a rider that appreciates being able to ride dirt bikes for a living. Tommy Hahn is one of those guys and, because of that, is a fan favorite everywhere he goes.
Tommy gained even more respect in 2009 when he resurrected his career with the then Canidae/Motosport.com/Kawasaki team in his rookie year on the 450. On 250’s, Tommy was known more for his SX skills, but that all changed in 2009 when he went out on a privateer bike, scored his first podium in Lakewood and followed that up with his first-ever overall win at Steel City. Tommy went on to finish fifth overall in the 450 AMA Outdoor National Championship. In 2010, Tommy stayed with the same team, but switched from Kawasaki to Suzuki when the team became Rockstar/Canidae/Suzuki and had another solid year.
Coming into 2011–after Rockstar/Canidae/Suzuki announced they would be the 250 satellite team for factory Suzuki–Tommy would switch manufacturers once again. Motoconcepts/Yamaha gave him a call and signed Tommy up with a one-year deal to ride his third different 450 in three years. Tommy struggled a bit in SX due to injuries, but seems to be getting the ball rolling in the right direction now for the Lucas Oil Motocross Championship. We gave Tommy a call to find out how his year has gone up to this point and what he might expect for the rest of the outdoor season.
Tommy, how’s 2011 for you so far?
It’s good so far. I’m getting better. Supercross didn’t go so great–I got hurt–but other than that, we’re good!
Yeah. In SX this year, you got hurt twice, didn’t you?
Yeah, I had a strain there for a while. I just shouldn’t have been at the races honestly. I think it’s kind of the reason I got hurt. I got hurt at the third round, and then I tried to force it from there. And then, I ended up getting hurt again. So yeah, I probably should have just taken more time off from the first one.
What exactly were the injuries?
In L.A., I just kind of crashed in the whoops and separated my shoulder a little bit–just got banged up real bad and took a week off. Then, I raced Houston, which went okay. Then, I went to Atlanta and basically endoed, bruised some ribs and pulled the cartilage away from them. That was not fun.
Ouch, I’ve actually done that before–when I stuck a handlebar through them–and it was actually one of the worst injuries to come back from–just never wants to heal.
Yeah, like when I stretch, I still feel it a little bit, and it’s been quite a while.
I remember 4 months after it happened to me, I drove four hours to a race thinking I was all healed up. I get there and ride practice, then realize it still hurt too much to race. I was only trying to beat a local B-class at the time, not trying to beat CR22 and RV2, so it may be a bit different. (Laughs)
Yeah, that’s kind of how I was at the races. I’m like, “Why did I even come? I’m not 100%. I shouldn’t be doing this.”
You came back at Dallas SX and got a seventh, and from then on, you were pulling top tens. How were the last five SX races for you?
Yeah, as soon as I came back I was in the top ten–besides the last race in Vegas where I had a little issue with a rock. Other than that, I was happy to finish in the top ten, and I was getting better. I wasn’t even really riding SX that much. I was riding more outdoors because I was like, “Well, SX is kind of over for me so I might as well just be prepared for outdoors.” I was riding outdoors and just kind of racing SX on the weekends, and I was still getting better. So that was kind of cool!
Nice. Before the year started started, you switched to Motoconcepts/Yamaha. How was the transition?
It was pretty easy. I took about a month off after outdoors last year and bought a Yamaha to ride here because I knew that’s where I was going. I got on it, and as soon as I started riding, it felt comfortable. I went out and did some testing and have been just riding the crap out of it trying to learn more about it and get used to it.
That’s a weird concept, buying your own bike. (Laughs)
Yeah, I haven’t bought a bike in a while. They’ve gotten a lot more expensive since the last time I bought one.
(Laughs) That is true. So we’re three races into the Outdoor Nationals. How would you say that’s going for you so far?
Good! I started seventh overall in the first race. In Texas, I got seventh in the first moto and then had a little gas tank problem in the second moto. I’m not exactly 100% sure what happened, but I just know that there was gas going everywhere, and I wasn’t able to finish the race. Then this weekend at High Point, I ended up getting seventh again, so I just need to breakout of that seventh place and get into the top six. That’s my goal for this weekend: top six.
Are you thinking maybe later in the year we might be able to see you up on the podium?
Yeah! I mean, if all goes well and everything goes like I plan, I think by the end of the year I should be getting really close. I really think that I should be top five when the year’s over in overall points. I’ve done it before, and I need to do it again.
This week you lost a teammate. I actually just got done posting the press release today from your boss saying they have officially terminated Christophe Pourcel’s contract. I don’t want to make this interview a “let’s see how much info I can get out of Tommy about Pourcel” drama interview, but what’s your take on the situation? Was that situation a distraction at all for you or your program?
No. There’s nothing at all with my deal or program that was affected by it. I like Chris, and I got to know him a little bit at the few races he was at. I’m definitely bummed that he left the team. He was actually a really cool kid, and I like talking to him. I don’t know what happened. I live in Texas and have no communication with anybody over that. I’m not exactly sure what happened, but it’s unfortunate. Hopefully, he finds what he’s looking for.
Being a fan, I just want to see him race. As far as everything else goes, it is what it is, I guess. As far as your deal goes with Motoconcepts/Yamaha, were you only signed up for 2011?
Yeah, it’s just for 2011. I don’t have anything locked down for 2012 yet. I’m not sure what’s going to happen.
Well, good luck this year and next. Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you get to the races?
Thanks! Yeah, I’ll thank Motoconcepts/Yamaha, GYTR, FMF, FMF Energy, O’neal and Enzo Suspension. Oh, and sorry I didn’t answer the first time when you called.
No worries! I think it took more tries to get in touch with your brother, so you’re way ahead. (Laughs)
I am way cooler than him. I can tell you that. (Laughs)
Speaking of your brother, are you two riding together right now? Is he riding a lot?
Yeah, he’s riding every day with me. We’re doing motos, and he’s getting back into the swing of things. He’s thinking [he’ll be back] maybe around Millville. He’s been riding really well. He’s been working hard, and he will be in shape when he returns. I think he’ll be a little dark horse in there.
Where are you guys doing motos at?
Fort Worth, Texas. It is, I don’t know, one hundred and some odd degrees–no wind, and it’s absolutely miserable outside.
That sounds kind of crappy. (laughs)
Yeah, it’s not very fun, but the races are pretty easy.
Well, that’s all the longer I will keep you, Tommy. Thank you again for chatting with us.
I appreciate it. We’ll see ya.
