Bill Ingersoll

Sloansville, New York’s Bill Ingersoll started riding dirt bikes at age 7, switched to 3-wheelers at age 14 then on to four wheels on a Honda 400EX in 2000. Like many die-hard ATV enthusiasts do he started racing motocross and cross country events. He then moved through the local ranks and got serious enough to purchase the first made-for-racing quad from the big four, a 2004 Yamaha YFZ450.

Despite not having the funds, connections and resources to compete like many riders do, in 2007 he decided to see how far he could go on a national level. The same year he accomplished what many wish they could, he won his class at the Unadilla AMA ATV MX National.

In 2008 Bill decided he would skip most of the 2008 events and devote the year toward getting ready for an all-out assault on the 2009 Nationals. He worked 70 hours per week and purchased and built a full-on racer and practice quad. His plan was going well. In preparation for what would have been his breakout season on the national scene, he decided to run the remainder of the 2008 NEATV-MX Series and a few local races, where he would get his 2009 program dialed in a little early.

Unfortunately his breakout year wasn’t meant to be. On August 22, 2008 another rider collided with Bill during a practice session at a local supercross race leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

He is now disabled but his passion for the sport of ATV racing and recreation continues. With that, we fired a few questions at him and discovered quite an inspiring story from quite an extraordinary individual….

You’re living what is probably the biggest fear that riders try not to think about when they suit up to ride or race. How have you dealt with your horrible accident?
It was difficult at first, you literally have to relearn every aspect of life. Initially I had not realized the injury was not just walking, I now had to become aware of injuring any portion of my body I could no longer feel, and due to the lack of mobility you do not heal as fast because circulation is not as good nor are your bones as strong because you’re no longer putting weight through them. I soon began to realize how different life now was and how much thought and planning I was going to have to put into even the smallest detail of my everyday life. It was too much to swallow in one shot when less than a week earlier I was walking around care-free with no worries, it was a long process to fully grasp the situation and learn how to live with it. Fortunately it has not slowed me down much.

I know I speak for everyone reading this, I really feel for you. It’s a life-changer that I wish on no one. Did riding again ever cross your mind at that time?
Thanks. It did, I figured at some point I would ride again, but I have to admit, initially I would say I was bitter about it what happened. You can only sit in the house watching TV for so long before you get bored and want your life back.

When did you take your first ride after the injury?
It was probably December of 2008. I rode a snowmobile a bit, then in about March of 2009 I got a quad and I began riding again.

Bill used to practice on an ATC 200X on his backyard track.

What sort of things did you need to do to adapt your setup for riding/racing with your disability?
Well, initially I began riding so soon after injury I had to strap my body onto the seat and feet into position, but now, four years later my body is much stronger.

Even though I’m still a paraplegic, I’m much more used to riding with the disability. At this point a good soft seat with a hump to keep me from sliding back and some bungee cords to keep my feet in position are all I need. Having a good suspension setup and pair of Flex bars really help me ride more comfortably. I run a handicap plate on the back grab bar in hopes of alerting the faster riders to show a bit more care if they pass. I have witnessed them push some riders off into the bushes before so it always makes me a bit nervous.

What challenges do you face riding now that you did not face before?
For starters my sense of balance sitting on the seat is off; it was very difficult to get used to not feeling your butt or riding over uneven terrain – I would feel like I was tipping. I of course have little to no use of my lower extremities so shifting is out of the question, there are setups out there but I like the ease and reliability of the automatics. Another thing I need to take into consideration is protecting my legs and the rest of the body I cannot feel. A blister on my foot could put me out of commission for months or run the possibility of losing a limb as I cannot fight off infection as easily as someone with better circulation. To combat this I wear double socks to reduce friction and pants over my boots to avoid getting dirt and other debris in my boots. With the traditional inside-the-boot race-pants it’s near impossible to avoid, partially due to the fact your leg is much skinnier from the loss of muscle they do not tighten around my leg as well. When I ran the Unadilla GNCC shortly after my injury in 2009 I was not aware of this and ended up getting a blister on my heel which took four months to heal due to dirt in my riding boots. Another thing that’s very important is being able to really read the terrain. In GNCC racing, a rider may be able to take a few stabs at a hill or obstacle, but I need to be able to make it on the first shot each time or run the risk of flipping over. Something else that has been a major issue post injury is I end up overworking my arms since I use them so often. I can run a fast pace for about four miles then my arms get so pumped up it slows me down drastically for a bit, so this is a concern at the long races.

Did you enjoy motocross or cross country better? How are you liking the GNCC series?
GNCC is something I always wanted to try while I was racing motocross. I just couldn’t afford to race both that and MX. After my injury I decided I had reached a higher level in motocross able bodied th
an I would as disabled and riding tracks just wasn’t fun to me anymore. I wanted to compete but maybe once a year without all the intensity and risk. With cross country, specifically GNCC racing, I feel I can be more competitive. I enjoy the endurance aspect and the time out on the course. And I love the GNCC racing. They do a great job.

How are you received by the race promoters and organizers at the race events you attend?
The ATV events and local races so far have been good for accommodating my needs, I did attend a national bike motocross race and I’d say they do not take people with disabilities into consideration at all. It’s sad because I feel that segment of the sport sort of throws you away when you become a bad advertisement, while the ATV community has been great. It’s a much much tighter community if you ask me.

When was the last time you raced and what is your goal or expectations for the this year’s Unadilla GNCC?
I haven’t raced since the ’09 Unadilla GNCC, which was one year after my injury. I want to finish is all to tell the truth. You never really know the course or conditions. All it will take is one hill that I can’t get up to end my day early. But if the course is similar to 2009 and conditions are the same, I’m shooting for a top five class finish.

Are you interested in the Side by Side racing?
I did get into side by sides last year. They’re fun but it’s not for me, it’s not what I fell in love with as a kid. After riding in a wheelchair all day the last thing I want to do is ride around in a confined space. I love the freedom the quad gives despite the risk. I think a side by side is safer in my situation but as I found much more expensive to adapt to. I got rid of my Polaris 900 XP and now patiently waiting to get my hands on a 2013 Polaris Scrambler XP, despite my limitations to ride at the level I did previously, as a whole, I’d say I feel pretty “normal” on a quad.

Thanks for talking with us. I hope other disabled riders can take something positive from your story. Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I owe everything to my grandfather. I would not be the person I am today without him, my girlfriend Jessica for all of her support and my friend Randy for all the time and effort he has put into building my quads over the years.

Name: Bill Ingersoll
Home: Sloansville, NY
Marital status: Girlfriend
Education: High School

Began Riding in:1993
First ATV: Honda Trx400ex
Current Quad: 2004 Kawasaki Kfx700
Racing #:15
Race Series: GNCC
Sponsors: Bikes,TRikes,and Quads

Must have ATV bolt on: Flexx Bars
Best Track: Unadilla
Home Track: Unadilla

First job: Construction
Favorite Place: Home
Worst Place: Hospital

Worst Habit: Perfectionist
Pet Peeves: Disorder

Laptop or PC: PC
Book: 48 laws of power
Website: www.bikestrikesandquads.com
Cell Phone & Carrier: Iphone

What’s on your I pod: Rap
What’s usually on your TV: History Channel

High School Extracurricular: motocross!
Favorite Sports Team: Don’t watch sports!
Favorite athlete: Doug Henry
Coolest thing you’ve won: Won my class in 2007 at Unadilla National

Talent you would love to have: Walking ..LOL
Tatoos, Piercings:  None
Trade places with for a day: Nobody!

Who do you admire:  My Grandfather, Doug Henry
Bucket list:  Rally Car racing
Motto: Never quit.

 

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