In 2011, Wil Hahn signed with his dream team, GEICO Powersports/Honda, but spent the better part of his first two Supercross seasons with the team watching from the couch. After breaking his back at the A1 opener back in 2011, breaking his shoulder and ribs and later fracturing his hip early in 2012, Wil had a lot of time to wonder if he would ever accomplish his goals on a dirt bike. There’s nothing that mentally ruins a guy in this sport like injuries, but somehow, every time the Texan came back, he seemed to get stronger. Wil remarkably returned from his fractured hip for the final three rounds of the 2012 SX season and put his GEICO Honda on the box for the first time at the finale in Las Vegas. From there, Wil had the best outdoor season of his career and was rewarded with another two-year deal with the GEICO squad.
Coming into the 2013 250SX Eastern Regional Championship, Wil was healthy and on everyone’s radar as one of the favorites, but one question loomed heavily: could he stay healthy? Well, here we are eight rounds down and one to go, and the #19 has the first two wins of his career on his resume and a five-point lead in the Championship heading into the finale in Las Vegas. Wil has struggled with confidence, consistency and injuries his whole career, but by watching him in 2013, you would never know. Wil has been attacking everything since the drop of the gate in Dallas and is now just fifteen laps away from overcoming some stacked odds and putting the words “Supercross Champion” next to his name.
With the Las Vegas SX quickly approaching, we gave the 250SX veteran a call to talk to him about his 2013 SX season, what he has been up to during the break, Blake Wharton’s new riding style, the possibility of being forced to move up to 450’s in 2014 and his mind-set heading into this Saturday’s finale. As always with Wil, our interview basically turned into a twenty-minute bench race session. Check out what the 250SX Western Regional points leader had to say below.
Hey Wil, thanks for doing the interview. I know you’re a busy man. So what’s your program been this week?
Just testing and riding—trying to get a jump on outdoors as far as fitness. Also, staying on the SX part of it; trying to wrap this title up.
Yeah, I was wondering, with the Championship still up for grabs, what you would be doing more of. So it’s still kind of a mix of both right now?
Yeah a little bit of a mix, but my mind’s in SX. So, I’d say, for the most part I’m focused on SX.
How are you feeling right now with a five point lead heading to Vegas?
I feel good about it. I think I’m in the drivers seat, so I control my own destiny. What I gotta do to bring it home is pretty simple: if he wins, I gotta be right behind him. My plan honestly is to do what I did in Atlanta and St. Louis and get a holeshot and try to run away with this thing.
With the way Musquin’s been winning lately, do you feel like he has the momentum, or do you feel more like you’ve been doing what you need to do?
You know, for the last couple weeks, he has had the momentum, there’s no doubt about it. I felt like—I believe it was Toronto—I had something for him there, and I wasted too much time coming through the pack. Houston, I felt like I had that win as well. That one was tough for me ’cause I really felt like I had that one the last couple laps with Blake and I didn’t capitalize. So, yes and no. I think it’s gone back and forth. But yeah, he’s been riding good, and he’s a good competitor to be battling with. He’s got a lot of respect for me, and I feel the same about him. It’s nice to have the mutual respect that he and I both share.
How does it feel to be battling for a Championship after all the adversity you’ve faced in your career? It’s gotta feel good.
It feels great because I feel like all those tough times now seem so minor now when they were so tough at the time. You look back now going, shit, I was dwelling over stuff that didn’t really matter. It’s tough to look back ’cause you know you would change some things, but at the same time, whatever’s lead me to this path, I can’t say I’d change a whole lot.
It’s gotta feel good to finally get the results for the team that’s stuck with you through thick and thin?
Yeah, that’s the main thing for me—being able to share the gratification with them. They hired me when I had potential, and then all of a sudden I’m a big question mark—not one year, but two. I had a good outdoor season last year, but I’m still a question mark. So for them to stick behind me and say, hey, we believe in you—especially when there was a point I didn’t even believe in myself. That’s just being blunt. I was on the couch at home going, “What am I doing? Is this what I need to do?” No matter what, I knew I wanted to ride dirt bikes, but man, I can tell you, you start second guessing everything: choices, what am I doing wrong, do I need to train different, anything like that. But the best thing I did was fix my same program. I just kept doing it and kept doing it. Yeah, I’ve learned things along the way like to be a little more patient, but like I said I wouldn’t change it. Without the support from them, I don’t know if I would have been able to continue.
Yeah, it’s not often a team of that caliber sticks with someone that is struggling. Coming into 2013, with all those mental battles, did you expect to do this good?
Ah, yeah. Because, I was riding with Eli [Tomac] every day, and I knew right away—with him winning last year and seeing his success in the West coast this year—I felt confident going in. I did a lot of off-season prep. I went over and did Bercy [SX], took a little bit of time off and I got right back to it. I was ready to go West too ’cause there was one point I thought I was going West. So yeah, I prepared myself for it all, I felt like I made a lot of good decisions and I spent a lot of time developing the bike and testing, just a lot of time around the team. I really, in my heart, expected to do well.
The first thing I noticed at the opener in Dallas was your aggression. From jump street, I thought you looked like a different Wil Hahn in that aspect of your game. Was that something you worked on at all?
You know, I’ve always kind of felt that way, but it’s weird because I truly felt that way in 2010. What helped me back in 2010 was myself, my mind and maybe not truly believing that I could do it, because looking back, there were times I should have won races. But that’s part of the learning curve, and it’s taken me a longer than most to learn these curves. (Laughs) I think the seat time I’ve gotten has helped with aggression. In ’11 and ’12, coming back from injury, I was hesitant, so my speed wasn’t there. I had just spent a lot of time on the couch, and I don’t want to say I wasn’t confident, but at the same time, you lose a little bit.
You obviously found that confidence somewhere because, in Dallas, you could see right away that you knew you belonged up front. You were going forward all day, and you weren’t being patient about it—more going through the pack, than around the pack. (Laughs)
Yeah, I think as far as the aggressive passes—it’s tough to say without coming off cocky or conceited—but I work too damn hard to not go were I feel like I belong. (Laughs) That’s the main thing. I don’t know, but I think that might have clicked in my head. I gotta get to where I belong one way or the other. Not that they don’t belong there, but that’s how I felt.
Speaking of aggressive passes, what do you think about how Blake Wharton’s been riding the last few weeks, more specifically, the way he battled you at the last race in Minneapolis?
That’s sort of how I was riding in the beginning I guess. (Laughs) You know, it’s different. I don’t go in with the intention of laying anybody out. I go in to make the pass and don’t plan on knocking anyone down. That’s not my game plan. It’s weird, though, because I can’t say it’s wrong, because I can’t say that if I was in his position I wouldn’t be doing the same thing. I don’t know. It’s frustrating because he has nothing to lose at this point. Man, it’s a tough one. I get along with Blake well, and he’s a great rider. The only thing I would change was, I mean we weren’t in first and second, so I feel like when he went for the pass on me and we missed that whole rhythm section at Minneapolis, we gave Marvin a lot of breathing room. To me, that’s a mistake. Whether he passes me or not, I think we were better off trying to get as close to Marvin as we could to try and make him make the same mistake. But that gave the race away right there. I’m all for aggressive racing, but you can’t give away the race.
So with Blake being a podium contender and him riding with that nothing-to-lose style, does that make him one of your biggest worries in Vegas?
No, not really. I honestly go out there and plan to win. That’s my goal. I think Tyler Bowers is gonna be tough to beat. With the way he’s been riding and coming off his big Arenacross season, that dude’s riding awesome. He’s taking full advantage of the opportunity that’s been given to him. You gotta be pumped for that guy because he’s had an up-and-down road as well. I’m happy to see where he’s at. From what I’ve been seeing, I might not have to be too worried about it because those two might be going at it. (Laughs)
(laughs) Yeah, that might be a fun one. Besides those two, there aren’t really any other guys this year that have been near the podium out East. What are your thoughts on the depth in the Eastern Region and some of the West 250SX riders (I won’t mention names) voicing their opinions on Twitter about the lack of talent in the East this year?
Yeah… I read it, and you know what, it is what it is. Someone’s going to say it every year, that I wish I was doing that coast because it’s easier, because they’re not doing it, which is fine. I understand it, and I would agree. The West is a deeper field to tenth place. There’s no doubt about it. But I can’t tell you that if Marvin and I were on the gate in the West Coast—or if Dean [Wilson] was still in it—that we wouldn’t be battling for podiums and wins. Yes, they are correct that it is deeper.
Does that give you a little more drive to perform in the East-West Shootout or is that way in the back of your mind?
No, it’s there. I think the pride’s there for sure.
If you win, will we see you back on a 250 in ’14? Do you have another year on your contract with GEICO?
As far as I’m concerned, I’m not leaving. I’m staying with GEICO regardless of what I do. Like you said earlier, they’ve stuck with me through the tough times of my career and that’s something I don’t plan on quickly forgetting. So whatever I gotta do to stay with these guys and continue our relationship, that’s what I’m gonna do. As of right now, I do have a two year deal to ride the 250, but if I win [the Championship], I point out, so things will change a little bit there, but I think we have a good plan to stay there no matter what ends up happening. I think regardless, you will see me on a GEICO bike next year whether it be a 450 or 250.
That’s right, I forgot that if you’ve raced three seasons or more and win a championship, you’re forced to go 450 even if you haven’t technically pointed out. That slipped my mind because you’ve been out for most of the last two years. I think that’s one rule that needs to be fixed. I think a rider should be able to run his #1 plate, period.
I think it is kind of a bad situation because there are two sides to it. There’s times people need to be moved up, and there’s people that don’t, but I think anytime you win a title, you should be able to defend it regardless of the years or whatever. I really do feel that way and plus the last two years I haven’t really even raced SX. I mean, it is what it is. I’ve gotten 5th overall in SX, I’ve gotten 2nd and I got a 9th. Those are my highlights of SX. Maybe it’s time to move up, though, and regardless, I’m on a solid team and I’ll be on a good bike next year no matter what.
Yeah, I know what you’re saying and I feel you. I think the rule is a shot in the gut for guys like you and Broc Tickle—who was in the same exact spot as in 2011. You guys battled your asses off to finally get that title and you’re penalized for it. That #1 plate sure looks good, but sorry, you can’t run it.
That’s exactly how I feel. I feel like not only is it good for the rider, but also the team and all the team sponsors to run the #1. I feel it’s something they should let someone do no matter what. Then the next year, regardless of how good you do, you have to move up.
We’re only a few weeks from Hangtown now. How’s the outdoor bike feel for you? Feeling good?
Yeah, we’ve been making gains on it every day. We had a good bike when we finished the series last year at Elsinore, and I think we’ll move right along once it’s time at Hangtown.
Man, I’m looking at the class right now, and it’s so stacked. I’m sure you know that already (laughs), but where do you see yourself fitting it?
I think I fit in the top five. Last year, at the end of the season, I was top five—6th in points—so I think I can carry some of the momentum from Supercross and take it outdoors. I’m just going to take it race by race. I know I got a little bit of a late start for the outdoor season as far as preparing for it, but I know the team will have the bike right by then and we’ll be ready to roll in and battle. I’ve only had one podium outdoors, so I think that’s a big goal for me to make that happen.
Nice. One last thing before I let you go, more for my own curiosity, but have you done much riding with Zach Bell and what are your thoughts on the kid?
Yeah, we spent some time together. We have the same trainer and stuff like that. Man, the kid’s got loads of speed. It’s tough because it’s something that you learn, and at the point he’s at, he’s just gotta slowly learn himself. It’s a matter of patience or finding a happy medium. I don’t know what it is, and it’s always tough because I look back at all my injuries and it’s tough to pinpoint what I would change. He’s in a similar situation and it’s even tougher because you have a lot of people telling you what to do. What you’re doing right, what your doing wrong.
Being the old guy on the team, do you try to mentor him at all?
You know, as much as I can. I want to help anyone on the team as much as I can because I feel like that’s my role being the oldest guy on the team and having been doing it for a while. I try to help him as much as I can without coming across as telling him what to do. That’s my main deal with any of them—just not telling them what to do but being there for advice because I’ve been through a lot of similar situations. But he’s a smart guy, and obviously, when you see his speed, it’s there.
To tell you the truth, I just can’t believe he’s alive to tell you the truth. (Laughs) I still look at that Dallas crash and shake my head in disbelief. That was incredible seeing him get up.
I know, I saw that crash live on the TV in Dallas and was just mind blown at how horrible that was. That was one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen.
Wil, thanks for doing this interview and good luck in Vegas. I definitely hope you have the best fifteen laps of your career.
Thanks, Dan. Take care.
