Brad Covington 1-10-06

ATV Scene: Thanks for your time with this interview. I know with your newborn and your hectic ATV business, your time is pretty precious.
Covington: No problem. I definitely have time to talk with you guys.

ATV Scene: First off congratulations on another Tulsa Shootout victory!
Covington: Thank you. Yeah 2005 was a good year for all of us. My wife and I had a beautiful baby girl, named Victoria Bradley, I finished sixth in the pro class, second in the pro-ams and I won the Short Track Championship. I also finished first in the ARQA Series and just won the Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma for the second year in a row. So without a doubt, 2005 has been great to me. I’m very blessed for sure.

ATV Scene: Speaking of the Tulsa Shootout, can you talk a little about the tragic death of Jensen Roberts?
Covington: It was absolutely terrible. I remember talking with him just before our heat race on Friday Afternoon. While they were watering the track, he and I were at the starting line talking to one another about the upcoming race. He was telling me that he felt good and was hoping to be able to keep up with me. After it happened, we sat helplessly on the starting line during the red flag as paramedics tried to help him regain consciousness, but to no avail. We were told later on that day that he had passed on. It was very difficult to concentrate on racing the rest of the weekend, as you can imagine. Our prayers are with his family and friends. He’ll be missed.

ATV Scene: How well did you know him?
Covington: I knew Jensen pretty well. I built that machine for him about two years ago.

ATV Scene: Do you think this horrible tragedy could have been prevented somehow?
Covington: Possibly if the arena in Tulsa had soft walls of some kind.

ATV Scene: We’re going to have to shift gears and change the subject, before we do, we also share your sympathy, and our deepest condolences go out to all of Jensen’s family and friends as well. Do you think this will effect TT racing in 2006?
Covington: I hope that this has some sort of positive effect on the 06 season. Maybe people will try to ride more carefully and realize how fragile our lives really are.

ATV Scene: Do you think TT racing will ever be as popular as ATV motocross?
Covington: I dont know if TT will ever be as popular, but the potential is there. When the series gets into the hands of a real promoter with television ties, then hang on!

ATV Scene: Did you see the Supermoto race at the Summer X Games?
Covington: No, I wish I would have.

ATV Scene: If ATVs were added to the Supermoto schedule, how do you think lap times would compare?
Covington: Motorcycles are lighter and generally a little faster out of the corner and in a straight line, but quads can carry more speed through the corners. Lap times would probably be close to the same.

ATV Scene: So are you saying you could beat Doug Henry and Jeremy McGrath?
Covington: No, but it is very possible.

ATV Scene: That would raise an eyebrow or two, especially if it was seen on nationwide television, and undoubtedly give ATV racing a respectable boost in catching up to the bike notoriety. Why do you suppose ATVs are not considered?
Covington: ATV’s still carry the bad rap that they got back in the late 80’s. Dirt Bikes have always been seen as MX Bikes since the beginning. Quads are still viewed as the machine that you use to carry your deer out of the woods. It is going to take a great promoter that is willing to take a risk to bring quads up to popularity levels of the motorcycles.

ATV Scene: Tell us more about Independence County Offroad ATV.
Covington: We have been open about a year now and we’re growing by the minute. We now offer just about every type of service for ATVs that you can think of. We sell used quads, new parts, used parts, we repair ATVs, build racing engines, build custom race quads and we even have a full ATV salvage yard. We pretty much do it all. And I’m loving it. If your readers ever need anything they can call us at (870) 251-2468.

ATV Scene: There seems to be a sea of ATV aftermarket companies out there. Usually businesses take many years before they either fail or start to make a profit. Why do you think yours is so instantly successful?
Covington: Hopefully a small part of our success has been because of my name, but I would like to think that it is because of the business training that I have received over the years from my Dad. He is an excellent business man. I also have an excellent business partner at Independence Offroad in Dustin Kramer. He’s a former ATV racer himself, we have a lot of combined experience at our shop.

ATV Scene: You’re sort of like Greg Baker in that both of you are more knowledgeable and hands-on with your equipment than most, and this seems to have helped both of your careers and your business. With that said, are you guys friends? Do you share secretive set ups or anything like that?
Covington: Baker and I talk, but very little. He is a very quiet type of guy. He is very secretive with his set up, to the point that he keeps his quad covered up at the track.

ATV Scene: Not to put you on the spot, but just curious, you’ve raced with almost all of them, Baker, Denton, Farr, Hitt… who is the best TT racer of all time, and why?
Covington: I think that because of his intelligence and the fact that he doesn’t have to rely on anyone else to be able to win or make set up decisions, Baker is probably the best TT racer of all time in my opinion. Curtis Sparks would probably tell you the same thing.

ATV Scene: Switching to your personal racing career for a minute, can you tell us what you are going to be riding in 06?
Covington: Well, it sounds like I am going to be riding the same new quad that just about everyone else is going to be on. We just finished my new ’06 Honda 450R in time for the Tulsa Shootout and won the race on it. I think it is going to be a very impressive machine. It’s fast and handles like a legendary Honda.

ATV Scene: Didn’t you finish out the season winning at Texas on a Suzuki?
Covington: Yes. I had sold my Sparks Yamaha at the end of the ’05 season and decided to try some other things. We had a suzuki at the shop and thought we would build a temporary TT quad out of it, just to try something new. It handled extremely well and made good low end to mid range power. No wonder those things make good motocross quads. They just won’t pull on top with the Honda’s and Yamaha’s. By the way, the quad is for sale if anyone wants it.

ATV Scene: How would you describe your riding style?
Covington: Very conservative.

ATV Scene: What’s your most memorable race?
Covington: I would say the 1994 Tyler, TX TT National. It’s where I won my first National race. It was in the 250B class.

ATV Scene: How do you practice TT?
Covington: I think the best practice for a TT racer is to practice XC in the woods. Riding in the woods gives you a better workout and improves your reaction time.

ATV Scene: Any plans to race any GNCCs or 6 Hours events in 2006?
Covington: Not yet, but you never know.

ATV Scene: Are you planning on running all of the Dirt Track Nationals next year?
Covington: Yes, we are planning on making it to all of them. It is going to be very interesting to see the two new tracks and the number of participants. I cant wait to see the sport grow like the motocross series has. It just may take a little longer.

ATV Scene: Who would like to thank?
Covington: There are so many people that help me, I cant name them all, however the following are the biggest help by far:
My wife for staying at home and taking care of our baby…
My company Independence County Offroad ATV for paying the bills…
Curtis Sparks for championship-winning engine components..
JB Racing for the best suspension components out there…
PEP shocks – enough said…
Johnson’s ATV Supply, White Brothers, Rath Racing, Boubin Tire, Full Bore Plastics, Ta Bone Race Fuels, and so many more.
And I thank everyone at ATV Scene for this interview and also for getting to wear your helmet cam this year.

ATV Scene: Any parting words?
Covington: Just thanks again for the interview and the friendship that we have. See you at the track in 06!

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