In the extreme world of the Monster Energy Supercross series, there are many different classes of rider that compete within the circuit. On top, you have the Factory-level guys that are competing for all the money and prestige that come with winning Championships. In the middle, you have the work horse guys that grind out a living not by winning, but by doing well enough to earn a salary and call supercross a living. Then, you have the privateers. The privateer is the guy that works on his own bike, drives to the races and, believe it or not, usually makes less than the guy that serves you french fries at your local fast food chain restaurant. These are the guys that are at the races purely for the challenge and the love of the game. While some have aspirations of breaking through and getting the dream ride, most are already living their dreams by simply being on the line.
Topher Ingalls is considered a privateer, but for 2012, he has found support through a sponsor outside of the industry, Expert-Exchange.com. Last season Expert-Exchange.com’s Randy Redberg—who owns the company and is a big fan of the sport—signed on with former professional skateboarder Ingalls, and over the last year, the team has really turned the corner. Topher has one of the best looking bikes in supercross and has no worries about getting to the races ready to go. In the first three rounds of the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross season, Topher struggled to put his bike in the main event, but the California native delivered in Oakland. After making his first Main Event of 2012, we gave the number 986 a call to talk about his 2012 supercross campaign. Here’s how it played out.
What’s up Topher? You sound like you’re in a good mood. Good day?
Yeah, really good day.
Nice. Well, Saturday night you said your streak of missing main event’s would come to an end, and it did. You are a man of predictions.
Yeah, I’m feeling better, and I knew I could make it. I felt kind of crappy physically, but it was good, and I’m making steps every week.
In the Main Event, I saw you were running somewhere around thirteenth, and then I never saw you. What happened?
Yeah, I was running that for a while, and then a little bit past halfway, I started getting a little tired and riding tight. Then I crashed. Nothing too bad, but by the time I got up and going, I had been lapped at least once. I didn’t want to go out there and be lap traffic and have to get out of everyone’s way, so I just kind of pulled into the mechanics’ area and watched the rest of it.
So what did you think of Tomac’s ride? The guy is flying right now.
Yeah, he’s on a whole other level right now. I do not see him losing.
I agree. I could see his starts messing with him at some of the rounds, but if he gets out front, he is gone.
No, he is so fast it’s ridiculous. In practice, the track was so hammered and rutted, and he was riding it like it was nothing.
Yeah, the track looked sketch early on with ruts going 30 different directions. How was it in the Main?
It was better. It got better throughout the night. I hated it in the first couple of practices, and by the third practice, it was a little better. In my heat, it was all prepped and smooth, so it was pretty sick. In the Main, it was just as good if not better. I was kind of searching for lines and made a lot of mistakes the first eight laps and wore myself out. I just wasn’t feeling that good physically all night, but whatever. You have those nights. I’m just glad I still made the Main, and I’m going to make everyone from here on out.
Well, you were a man of your word Saturday night during track walk, so I have to believe you.
Yeah, it’s happening.
Early in the day, you were kind of dreading that 3-3 through the rhythm section. Were you able to pull the trigger?
Yeah, in the heat race. I hadn’t done it in practice and I was just trying to stay in my comfort zone, so I didn’t do it. So in the heat race, on lap two, I did it and it was cake. I just came out and launched and did it from then on out.
I have no idea how you guys got over that. I walked the track after the race and looked at it—and it did not look possible. (Laughs) There was absolutely no face to the first one and you’re staring at a monster second face. I don’t know how you guys pull the trigger.
I don’t know either. Every time I do track walk I think, “I do not think we can make that.” Then I have that kind of in my head, and I’m thinking no way. It takes me a while. Then I see other people doing it, and I think, “I guess we do it.” I guess when you’re on the bike it’s different and everything is kind of easier; you figure out what you can make and what you can’t.
So overall, what is your take on how 2012 is going so far? Just kind of a natural progression?
Yeah. I mean, I’m happy because we’re getting better. I wasn’t pumped on Anaheim. Even with all the mistakes, the bad luck, the bad starts or whatever, it’s kind of on me. You make your own luck, and I definitely didn’t feel good physically. I just wasn’t doing the right stuff at that point. I just wasn’t running on all cylinders. Then I felt even worse at Phoenix. I’m just kind of learning as I go and I tried some new stuff this year and am doing different stuff. I just had to go back a little bit and switch it up, do a little more cardio. I felt really good at Dodger, and that’s where I gained all my confidence. I got my starts down and practiced a lot of starts. So coming into Oakland ,I didn’t feel good physically, but I knew that I had it and I knew my starts were good. If you get a top nine start, that’s really all that matters, because the tracks are so even. All I really need to do is dial in the physical part, and I’m getting a lot more comfortable on the bike. I think I’m going to keep moving up. I’m pretty excited for the rest of the season.
Nice. So what has the privateer life been like for you in 2012—a lot better than it’s been?
Yeah, I don’t even know if I want to call it privateer life.
Yeah, your bike and setup looks good this year. Experts-Excahnge.com has really stepped it up.
I feel like a team guy. It is so good. I just come out to the track out at Randy’s [Redberg] three days a week. I have my brother there, and he’s doing everything he can. We’re doing starts, he preps the line for me, does times when I practice so I have everything covered. We’re figuring it out as a team, and I think everyone is working really hard each week. We’re kind of figuring out what works, and we are getting better every week. This is really our first year doing it like this. We had so many changes. None of us have experience in it, so we’re just kind of learning as we go. It’s all coming together, though, and everyone is working hard. I couldn’t be happier.
What is your program like during the week? Are you driving or flying?
No, we cruise down. I get back from the races and usually do a little cycling on Sunday—road bike ride—and do a lot of starts all week. We also do some runs. We usually head out on Friday—either Friday early if I go up with my dad, or if I drive out with my brother and his girlfriend, we’ll come up Friday afternoon. They’re all pretty close.
Last year, you had just a starting gate and a straightaway to practice on, but now you have a full track for testing?
Yeah, full track—starting gate, practice bike mechanic, garage, fridge, everything I need.
I think I may have to change this from “Privateer Showcase” to something else. You are balling in 2012. (Laughs)
Yeah, change it to “The Most Factory Privateer Ever.” (Laughs)
(Laughs) I know is your title sponsor for the team, which is an awesome outside the industry sponsor, but who else is chipping in to help?
Well, Randy Redberg from Expert-Exchange.com is the main guy, but we have a couple of others: Briar at 180decals who obviously made the sickest looking bike in Supercross, Graham is doing my suspension, C4MX is doing my motors and Hinson, TCRWheels and Works Connection are helping out too. But, pretty much it’s Randy from Experts-Exhange doing everything.
You have a decent program, for sure. I did notice that I didn’t have to go to the back of the pits to find you this year like I did last season.
Yeah, that’s my dad’s job. (Laughs) He’s strictly driver, and his job is to get a good spot. I think they’re good spots, but my brother’s picky and thinks they’re crap. (Laughs) He keeps saying Dad’s gotta step it up.
Well, Pops is doing good. You were easy to find. (Laughs)
He’s on it. He’s literally driver and parker. Then he pretty much just kicks it and drinks his umbrella drinks. He just chills, then helps us pack up and makes the drive home.
I want his job. So is the plan to do all the West Coast rounds in 2012?
Definitely doing them all, and I’m excited. I’m glad we’re doing the whole series. I just gotta start pulling starts, get better and better and keep charging.
After Las Vegas, are you going to do the AMA Outdoor Nationals, or are you heading up North for the Canadian Nationals again?
I have no clue. I haven’t really thought about that yet. Everything just seems to work out. My plan is I want to do Hangtown, and then I’d like to go to Canada and try to win up there. I know if I’m on my bike, which is good—or a bike as good or better—I know I can win up there. That’s really what I want to do, but you never know.
Check out this video of Topher, filmed by Ryan Theisen
How was last season up there? Did you ever get on the box?
Yeah, at the sixth round. In the first three rounds, we had a couple of rough ones, and then we had the break. At the Gopher Dunes one—the home track—I should have gotten on the podium there, but I fell with like a lap to go. Then at the next round, I went 2-4 for a third overall.
So overall the Canadian Motocross Nationals and riding for the Gopher Dunes team up there was good for you?
Yeah, nothing negative. Everyone did their best, and it was definitely a good learning experience. I can’t complain. We made it through the season, and I had a lot of fun.
Sounds good. Thanks for doing the interview, Topher, and good luck the rest of 2012.
Alright, later boss.
