Photo 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 just trying to chase their dream of racing professional Motocross and Supercross. 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 kids 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 Cade Clason, and once again we found a rider that epitomizes exactly the kind of rider we want to feature for these interviews. The K1 Speed, BWR Engines, SSi Decals, Race Tech Suspension backed privateer from Chesterfield, South Carolina is one of only ten privateers that have ridden their way into a 450SX main event in 2016. In arguably the most stacked field in decades, Cade made the 450SX main event in Oakland and Glendale, and as the series moves on, he wants more.
In Atlanta last weekend, Cade had a rough night with a crash and some bike problems, but Chase Yocom tracked him down in the pits to talk about his night in Atlanta, his season as a whole and the real struggles of being a privateer at this level. Let’s get to know Cade Clason a little better.
Cade, you had a little bit of a rough day in Atlanta today, but you looked like you had the speed all day. How was the day for you?
It was an okay day today, I guess. I actually rode really well, I got good starts, but in the semi [qualifier], I had a big get-off and got run over a couple of times. My mechanic and I had to switch out bars and stuff. Something we didn’t realize was my throttle tube was actually broken in half. When we went out for the LCQ, I was trying to ride with it, but my throttle wasn’t working right—I could barely ride. It caused me to actually stall my bike at one point, and I was over it. I ended up just calling it a night. It was a good night—we were really close to the main—but it is what it is. I can’t change it, so I just have to move on to another weekend and go to Daytona.
You’ve been one of just a handful of privateers to make a couple of main events this year, so you have to be happy with that. How would you say your performance has been so far this year?
It’s been okay. I felt really good at the beginning of the year, and now I feel like I’m making some really bad mistakes on my part. I’ve blown a couple mains that I should have been in—like tonight, I should have been in there tonight with no problem. I made a mistake, I crashed and that just caused my whole night to spiral out of control. I just have to get those mistakes handled and try to figure it all out so I can start being in the main every weekend, because I’m good enough to be up there, no problem. I just gotta get it done.
I know you want more, but you’re a privateer in the 450SX premier class against a stacked field on factory bikes. It’s the big boys!
Yeah, it’s a fast group of dudes. I never would have expected myself to race with such a fast group of guys, but I’m here and I expect more out of myself. My team backs me 110%, and if I’m riding terrible, they’ll still tell me I’m doing a good job because they believe in me. I believe in myself too, but I just make mistakes sometimes. I just gotta get it done. 90% of the dudes out there in the 450 class have won Championships before and I haven’t. I’ve never won a Championship before, but I’m out there trying to beat them;it’s tough. I feel like I can run with those guys, but I have to minimize my mistakes, not crash, and get good starts like I know I can.
Can you tell us a little about the K1 Speed, BWR Engines, SSi Decals, Race Tech Suspension team and what’s it like being a privateer chasing the big boys? Talk a little about the struggles of being a privateer in a sport dominated by multi-million dollar teams.
Yeah, it’s rough sometimes with trying to figure out how you’re going to pay for stuff and to know how to have the funding, but the team does a phenomenal job. I have a great bike. My bike’s super fast, and I wouldn’t be able to get the results I do without my great bike. The Race Tech Suspension is doing well, K1 Speed is a just a huge backer for the team, BWR Engines, SSI Decals and all the other team sponsors; it wouldn’t be possible without them. I gotta thank them. They do all they can for me, and I really appreciate it.
What’s your weekly schedule like in between races? I know you do some riding out at ClubMX, but are you driving to some of the races or are you able to fly in and out?
I stayed in California for a few weeks for the first few rounds, and then I’m going to start flying once we go to Toronto. It gets a little easier, but right now I’ve been driving to them all. It’s been a rough go, but it’s privateer life; it is what it is. I stay at ClubMX almost all the time. That’s where I’m based out of and it’s probably the best place I could ever ask to train at. I’m just putting it all on myself that I need to go out and out in some better results.
Traveling like that during the week with your team, I suspect you get pretty close with your team. (laughs)
Yeah, I know the guys really well. Most of them stay on the rig, but I’m fortunate enough to be able to drive to the races with my own truck, drive back home and ride, where for them, sometimes they don’t even get to ride because they’re driving from race to race. I’m fortunate that I have some people backing me that can help me to do stuff like that, so that’s nice for me, but being a privateer definitely makes it hard.
Next week you guys head to Daytona. Is that a track you look forward to? It’s definitely a different type of Supercross.
I was actually riding really good there last year before I got hurt so I’m really excited to go back and do the best I can. It’s going to be a big step in the right direction. My goal is to make it to all the rounds this year and I’m really excited to get to Daytona.
