Corey and Chase Snapp 8-19-08
- Updated: August 19, 2008
If you’re like us you’re very interested in discovering who might be the next big thing in ATV racing. Much like the Oklahoma “Sooners” of the late 1800’s, who raced into Oklahoma before they were allowed to officially claim their land, brothers Corey and Chase Snapp are quickly claming their territory in the sport of ATV racing. If you’re from their home state of Oklahoma you’re probably well aware of the brothers with the cool Snapp last name and you’re probably quite happy to see that the two disserving young guns have finally been “discovered” as they’re about to make a big splash in the competitive national quad racing scene.
In an effort to introduce you to two of the most likeable ATV talents coming up the ranks we decided to fire some questions at them. Here’s what the Yamaha mounted brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma had to say….
Corey Snapp holds his two first place championship trophies from the 2007 Tulsa Shootout.
How did you get started racing?
Chase: When I was 11 years old I went to watch my friend race and it looked fun so my dad took my brother and I to a local race the next weekend and we raced our bone stock Yamaha Blasters. It all progressed from there.
Corey: We never really put a lot of money into our bikes for many years. We were always stuck with stock bikes with a few bolt-on things that we personally bought after saving our Christmas and Birthday money.
Why are swimming pools so important to you guys?
Chase: My dad owns a swimming pool business called Crystal Pools and that is what funds our racing.
Corey: I am employed as a construction worker for my dad’s pool business. I’ve worked there since I was thirteen. Swimming pools have played an important role in our lives and our racing for sure.
Chase Snapp is seen here just prior to winning both the 250 and Open Amatuer classes at this year’s Tulsa Shootout.
What do you do other than ATV racing?
Chase: Ride, school work and hang out with friends.
Corey: I build and remodel swimming pools, ride, hang out with friends and enjoy life. I used to wrestle before I graduated in 2007. (Laughing) Wrestling was a big part of my training for racing but my coach never seemed to like the idea of me racing.
Who’s better?
Chase: We’re both about the same which is a good thing because we ride together and push each other which makes us better. (Laughing) But I usually get better starts so I usually finish in front of him.
Corey: We both a really competitive with each other. We push each other a lot and I think that gives us a little edge on all the guys out there training by themselves. Chase does seem to get better starts, but I still seem to find my way up to the front before the race is over.
What are some of your accomplishments so far?
Chase: Let’s see I was the TQRA 2005 Blaster class champion. In 2006 I was the Open B and Open Four Stroke champ, 2006 Tulsa Shootout: 1st place in both amateur classes. In 2007 I finished the WPSA B class in 4th after missing the last round because of broken collar bone.
Corey: I am the 2004 Gold Rush Open AM Cross Country Champion. I was the 2006 Tulsa Cycle City Arena Cross Open AM Champion, 2006 TQRA Open A 3rd overall but missed two months with a broken wrist. In 2007 I won both amateur classes at the Tulsa Shootout. I finished up the 2007 WPSA B class 2nd overall.
Cory and Chase joined OCCRA rider Jake Hornaday to form Team K&N at the 07 Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America. After their share of problems the trio still managed to finish 6th in the A class and a respectable 24th overall.
You recently raced your first 12 Hours of ATV America team endurance race. How was the experience?
Chase: It was awesome! We had some mechanical problems but it was a blast and we will for sure be at the next one!
Corey: Absolutely. We were running top five for a while until we ran into what seemed like never-ending mechanical problems but we loved it anyways. Hopefully we won’t have that problem next time. It was definitely a learning experience.
You guys are all over the place. Which is it, cross country, dirt track or motocross?
Chase: We like to mix it up and do a little bit of everything but we do more motocross than anything.
Corey: It’s fun to change it up in the off season. By competing in all different types of racing it gives us more seat time and in my opinion this is one of the most important parts of training and progressing.
Team K&N’s pits at the recent 12 Hours of America race.
Tell us more about your Shootout race?
Chase: Last year I raced both of the amateur classes and won them both. So this year I moved up to both of the pro classes and got 5th in both of them so that was pretty good considering there were over 35 entries from all over the country.
Corey: Coming into this year I only race one other dirt track race at a small indoor bull arena and finished pretty much last. So I wasn’t really expecting much coming into the Shootout. But I kept my head up and had some great set up help from Mitch Reynolds and Dennis Cluck. This put me to the front in both my heats. I never really thought I would win both 250 Am and Open Am just as Chase did the year before. It was awesome!
It’s been said that the Tulsa Shootout event is too small and unsafe? Do you agree?
Chase: No I don’t think the track is that small at all and I’m pretty sure nobody got seriously injured this year.
Corey: I think it’s safe, but is racing ever completely safe?
What are your plans for 2008?
Chase: I want to train as much as I can and race the WPSA Series in the Pro Am class.
Corey: I want to finish top three in 16-24 and the A class WPSA. I also want to run a few TT nationals. And of course continue to do some local cross country races with OCCRA.
Chase Snapp #122
Who do you look up to?
Chase: Chad Wienen. I hope to be like him some day.
Corey: I had always looked up to JJ, but Chad is living my dream.
Is there a memorable road trip that stands out?
Chase: Yes. The last round of WPSA this year in PA comes to mind. We had bad luck the whole weekend. First off the motor home broke down in Ohio then I broke my collar bone in the first moto of 16-24 class which ruined my chances of winning the B class championship.
Corey: For me it was the fifth round of the WPSA this year in Virginia. It was a little over 24 to 25 hour drive for Chase, Randy, Ryan and I. My parents couldn’t make it because of it was right in the middle of our busy season for the pool company. We weren’t sure how the weekend was going to end up, but it turned out to be one of our best trips ever. We ended up sweeping the podium in the B class with Chase finishing 1st, Randy 2nd, and I took 3rd. We were really stoked! I’ll never forget that weekend.
As typical with many quad racers, the entire family is involved. Corey and Chase’s race program is no different as evident in this shot which was taken durring a pit stop at the Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America.
Where do you practice and what do you do to prepare yourself for racing?
Chase: We’re lucky enough to have a track in our back yard. We also ride a local track in Tulsa.
Corey: I mostly ride trails and hit a few jumps at our house. Our seven and half acres of property is mostly woods, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a great practice track. If I’m not riding at home then I’m lifting weights and conditioning.
Are your parents into the sport as much as you?
Chase: Absolutely. My parents have always been involved in racing and they love it.
Corey: Yea, our parents are behind us with anything we want to do. My mom gets really nervous when she watches us race but she knows we love to ride and supports us big time.
Who do you think will be our next Pro and Pro Am champion?
Chase: Chad Wienen, and either Mitch Reynolds or Thomas Brown.
Corey: I would have to agree exactly.
Who is your biggest sponsor?
Chase: K&N Motorcycles and ATV center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Corey: And of course Mom and Dad.
In route to a race win, which do you like better; holeshot and lead or come from the back?
Chase: I like getting the holeshot and leading.
Corey: I really like Pops’ race strategy he tells us “Get out front and stay there!” But that doesn’t always work out – but fortunately working your way up from a bad start is a lot of fun.
Is there anything behind your racing numbers?
Chase: I used to be 22 until TQRA made me changed it because Cody Miller runs that number. So I just added a number one in front.
Corey: Coming into last year I had been number 21 the year before but it was my first year at WPSA so someone already had my number. I switched to 221 so I shouldn’t have a problem with someone else showing up with my number anymore.
Any Peace-Outs?
Chase: I’d just like to say thanks to all of our sponsors for allowing us to do what we do.
Corey: Same here. Thank you to our 2008 sponsors! K&N Yamaha of Tulsa, Fox Shox, DWT, Rath Racing, MSR, Scott USA, JB Racing, Dark Synergy, Team Industries, Quadcover.com and of course Crystral Pools Inc.
Corey Snapp
Nickname: Snapp
Number: 221
Age: 19
Occupation: Pool construction/builder
Current Quad: Yamaha YFZ 450
Cell phone and carrier: i850/Nextel
Lap top or PC: PC
Pet Peeve: Parts on backorder
Magazine: ATV Scene
Movie: Days of Thunder
TV Show: Rob n Big and Viva La Bam
Vehicle: Red ‘94 Chevy 2-door Blazer
Food: Hot Wings
Restaurant: Hooters
Pets: My dogs
Hottest Chick: Jessica Simpson
Favorite Place on Earth: On my quad
Worst Place on Earth: Waking up in the hospital
Coolest thing you’ve won: Tulsa Shootout
Whose better….
Natalie or Byrd: Ironman
Ballance or Hawk: Ballance
Ricky or Bubba: Bubba when he stays up on two wheels
Honda or Yamaha: Yamaha Power!
Hitt or Bakker: Hitt
Farr or Denton: I’ve heard about Denton
but never seen him ride, so Farr
ATVA or WPSA: WPSA
Quick what comes to mind…
Golf: Boring
Vacation: Racing
GNC: Loretta’s
WPSA: Competition
Paris Hilton: Fake
Weddings: Lifetime commitment
Baseball: Who likes to play with balls?
PlayStation: Guitar Hero, MX vs. ATV Unleashed
Michael Jackson: Weirdo
Hilary Clinton: It’s a man’s job
Youtube: Hilarious videos
Chase Snapp
Number: 122
Age: 16
Occupation: Student/racer
Current Quad: Yamaha YFZ 450
Cell phone and carrier: i850/Nextel
Lap top or PC: PC
Pet Peeve: Loud and annoying people
Magazine: Any quad magazine
Movie: Dumb and Dumber
TV Show: Anything racing
Vehicle: Chevy pickup
Food: Hot Wings
Restaurant: Wings To Go
Pets: Dog
Hottest Chick: Megan Dalton
Favorite Place on Earth: Motocross track
Worst Place on Earth: Hospital
Coolest thing you’ve ever won: Tulsa Shootout
Who’s better…
Natalie or Byrd: Natalie
Ballance or Hawk: Ballance
Ricky or Bubba: Bubba when he doesn’t crash
Honda or Yamaha: Yamaha
Hitt or Bakker: Hitt
Farr or Denton: Denton
ATVA or WPSA: WPSA
Quick what comes to mind…
Country Music: Sucks
Vacation: Race time!
GNC: I don’t go to them
WPSA: Fun. And a lot of competition
Weddings: Big mistakes
Baseball: Boring
PlaySation: Guitar Hero, MX vs. ATV unleashed
Michael Jackson: Freak
Anonymous
August 12, 2010 at 9:41 am
Hey Snapp brothers Hope you guys are doing well. I just thought I would check to see if you were still racing.Tell your Dad I said hi and to call me when you come to Dalls area!
Randy Dornan