Brandon Sommers 3-25-05
- Updated: March 25, 2005
Walking through the pits at the Orange Crush, I bumped into Brandon Sommers, 2004 4 Stroke C 16-24 year old Class winner. Sommers is on the prowl for a 4 Stroke B Class Championship here in 2005 as well. And he certainly has a good focus on several future Championships. Sommers always has a smile on his face and is willing to help out anyone. He is the kind of guy that can joke about everything and seems to always be having a great day. To sum it up – just a great guy that everyone should get to know, on and off the track.
ATV Scene: So how did you get started into GNCC racing?
Sommers: I used to ride dirt bikes a little for fun and maybe two or three races a year, but mainly just riding a lot. My dad ran a shop and a couple of his customers ran the GNCC’s, so in order to know what kind of things his customers needed, he decided to go to all the GNCC races for a year and see what it was about. He rode them and really liked it. He felt that if someone rode all of them, pushed themselves hard on it, they could move up through the ranks well. I have always been a competitor and he felt that if I applied myself, and then I could do well, make myself a prominent racer and make myself known. My dad thought it would be safer to run the GNCCs and he wanted to help me. I came out, one my first race, and I haven’t stopped since.
ATV Scene: How many years have you been racing?
Sommers: This is just my second year. Last year I rode 4 Stroke Stock some and then 4 Stroke C 16-24. The last race of 2004, I rode 4 Stroke B.
ATV Scene: Championships to your name?
Sommers: One, but I hope for more. Last year I was the 4 Stroke C 16-24 Class winner.
ATV Scene: Your most memorable race story?
Sommers: I would have to say the 12 Hours of America race. It was a different race than what I or my teammates have ever run. My partners and I were a great team; we weren’t a professional team with paid riders, but we were prepared and had a lot of great people helping us out. We met a lot of difficulties, but we over came them to win our class.
ATV Scene: Were you tempted to run A Class this year instead of B Class?
Sommers: Not at all. I have my plans already set out on what classes I plan to run based on how I do.
ATV Scene: If you breeze through the B Class this year and qualify to run Pro – Am in 2006, will you still run A Class?
Sommers: I still plan on racing the A Class.
ATV Scene:Who do you see as your biggest competition this year?
Sommers: Last year it was Michael Howell, but he wasn’t in Texas, so I am not sure if he will be running the GNCC’s this year. Also, I battled some with Adam Mallett.
ATV Scene: As you continue to win races, do you begin to feel any pressure or expectations from yourself or anyone else?
Sommers: I think there is always a little bit of pressure, but I don’t think about it. I don’t want pressure, I just want to go out and have fun, do the best that I can, give it everything I have, and if that isn’t good enough, then there is no since and worrying about it.
ATV Scene: When you win your first Pro Title, who are you going to take it from?
Sommers: Bill Ballance
ATV Scene: Favorite Track?
Sommers: The Patriot in Virginia. (Too bad the GNCC Series has decided to take that event off the calendar for this season)
ATV Scene: Age? Hometown?
Sommers: I am 20. I live in Millersburg, Ohio.
ATV Scene: Do you have a Monday to Friday job?
Sommers: Yes, I do. I work in a warehouse, handling receiving stuff.
ATV Scene: Work out that works the best for you?
Sommers: During the summer I ride. I train for two or three times a week, try to ride two or three times during the week. I try to get into a race every weekend, sometimes two. During the winter, I try to stay on the bike at least once a week, but it gets so cold in Ohio it gets hard to practice. Every day that I don’t ride, I go bicycling or running. As far as maintenance, I do everything to the bike; between the GNCC’s, I go through everything. I have a set time that I change everything and if it isn’t time to change it, I look at it to make sure everything looks perfect before I put it on the track.
ATV Scene: What role does your Dad, Lazarus Somers, owner of GT Thunder, play in your racing?
Sommers: Everything. He got me where am I am now. He showed me how to set the bike up, does all my motor work, does all the internal suspension work, teaches me how to keep things set up. He is also my personal trainer cause he tells me the things I need to do and what I need to change. Everything he has told me and taught me has worked so far.
ATV Scene: What Pro rider do you look up to?
Sommers: Bill Ballance
ATV Scene: Outside of racing, who do you look up to most in the industry?
Sommers: My Dad.
ATV Scene: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Sommers: I think I would say, wearing the one or two plate in the Pro Class.
ATV Scene: What kinds of races do you take part in?
Sommers: Any kind of racing that involves a four-wheeler and endurance, I am there.
ATV Scene: Plan on doing any 6 hour events this year and the 12 hour?
Sommers: Yes, I am planning on doing the one in Minnesota 6 hour races and if I have a chance to get in on another, I will do them. I definitely plan on competing in the 12 hour event this year. I haven’t set my partners in stone yet; it really depends on which class I choose to run, either the B or A. I have partners for either class, so that is what will depend on my partners.
ATV Scene: What are some personal and race goals for 2005?
Sommers: My race goal for the year is to take the 4 Stroke B Championship, hopefully staying on the lead lap as much as I can and compete in the 12 Hours of America race and ATV Olympics. As far as personal goals, I would say constantly improve my riding abilities, as well as my social ability because I am not a very good speaker.
ATV Scene: Sponsors for 2005?
Sommers: GT Thunder – my Dad really helps me out a lot, Fly Racing, Maxxis, Quadzone, HMF, MX Pro Graphics, tireballs, Seal Rite, Carb Parts Warehouse, and I know there are more – so thanks to those that help me out!
Scene: And to end things off, everyone is dying to know, what does it feel like to be the fastest rider in the GT Thunder pits?
Sommers: Ohhhh. laughing (Johnny will love that). I am definitely not the fastest rider in the pits, by no means.