An interview with Ben Jackson
March 3, 2000
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ATV Scene: What were you up to in the off-season?
Jackson: I Worked in the family auto body
shop, lifted weights, and rode a few Victory Sports Indoors.
ATV Scene: What's new for the 2000 season?
Who's this "Jerky" mechanic of yours and how's he going to help you
win a National Championship?
Jackson: Everything is new for 2000! I am
riding for Legacy ATV and I have quite a few new sponsors this year. Things
seem to be going great and my mechanic, Scott Generke, (I call him Jerky), has
been getting all my stuff ready for a much anticipated season. I bought him
for a dollar and a pair of old socks! Actually, Scott is the engineering team
leader for Autolite spark plugs and has been working on some new stuff for the
small engine motorsports industry. I have been testing some of the stuff so
far and it seems to be working out pretty well. I think the biggest thing that
we are going to be able to do is focus on training, practicing, working on my
starts, and taking each race one at a time. He's been pushing me to train and
focus on the season that's for sure. He keeps telling me that communication
is the key to a successful season, so I am really hoping that we can work on
developing a great relationship and earn the trust of each other. I am confident
that we can put all the necessary ingredients together in order to possibly
earn the championship. I’ve kept him real busy so far too (smiling), I
just grenaded a tranny on my practice quad, so he’s in their right now
up to his ears in a shattered motor.
ATV Scene: What about your dad? He’s
always been your right hand man.
Jackson: My dad will still be part of the
crew, he'll just yell at Scott now. In all fairness, my dad has helped me forever
and he decided that it was time to back off and let someone else do the wrenching.
I would just like to say thanks to him for all the help and guidance he has
given me through the years. I wouldn't be where I am today without him and the
rest of my family.
ATV Scene:Are you racing in more than one
class? Or are you concentrating on winning the elite Pro Class National Championship?
Jackson: I'm only going to be running the
Pro Class this season, that way I can focus on the Pro Championship.
ATV Scene:What's a typical day for Ben
Jackson?
Jackson: Going to work around 8:00am at
the body shop. After work it’s either weight training or practicing afterwards.
In the wintertime, I just like to hangout and play my Sony Playstation.
ATV Scene: How did it feel to get a top
three in round one?
Jackson: I was totally stoked! In moto #1
I was sitting still locked up with Jeremiah in turn one with the rest of the
field long gone. To be able to pass all the way to fifth and then win moto #2
was fantastic. I didn’t think I would end up third for the weekend while
unhooking myself from Jeremiah. Maybe that was an indication of how this season
is going to go for me – hope so.
