Archive Images by dean adams

Q. You've been at this a while now, racing. How long do you expect to race?

A. I just turned 37 in September and I guess I won't be doing this when I'm 40. I enjoy this, so I'll do it as long as I still enjoy it.

Q. What's your off-season been like?

A. I've been taking it easy and trying to ride as much as possible. I did three days in Vegas, and then rode some dirt bike, and I just got back from two days at Willow Springs with Keith Code. Then, next month, we're going to ride at Thunderhill and a day at Laguna Seca. So, I've been trying to stay busy, stay riding, trying to get myself back in shape.

Q. How do you feel about your 2002 AMA Superbike season with Ducati?

A. I expected to do better. Physically those two crashes at Atlanta really knocked it out of me. A bit more physically than I expected, because I banged up my leg and I just could not move around on the bike the way I needed to. We kind of came on (strong) toward the end (of the season), but it was a shame.

It was kind of reminiscent of the Harley-Davidson days: I really wanted to do something, but I was just physically not able to on the bike. Can't ride the way you want to ...

I enjoyed riding the Ducati, it was a really nice bike. And, with what Mitch had to work with, I think he did a really good job. We were up against the factory teams and with Mitch (Hansen) trying to get by on what he had, I think we did a really good job.

Q. You and Freddie Spencer were seen chatting on the pit wall at Vegas last week. You two go back a long way—what were you talking about?

A. We talk about everything when we get together. From kids to racing to back when we used to go out and ride the flat tracks together. We still talk about that video we shot, one of the (video tapes) on Freddie. It was filmed over on the short track at Oakdale. I was riding the camera bike around, chasing Freddie, doing some film work. They still show it every now and again and it's pretty funny to see.

Q. You were 'Freddie' in some of the footage too, right? I recall him being injured and unable to ride for some of it.

A. A few of them, yeah.

Q. It was a topic on the site last week—when was the last time you rode a Honda?

A. Probably 1988 on a VFR750. (Although one could say Chandler's 1989 ride on Martin Adams' RS750 powered Twins bike might also qualify). I think that was one of Wayne's (Rainey) championship bikes from the year before. That would probably be the last time.

I don't know if it's ironic or funny or what, but I kind of started my roadrace career on a Honda and who knows, maybe I'll end it on a Honda too.