Get to Know Dan Guetter 2-26-05
- Updated: February 26, 2005
You may have heard the name Jon Guetter before. You know, the guy that actually back flipped an ATV? Yeah him. You may even have heard of his little brother Derek Guetter, who just might be the first to barrel roll an ATV off of a jump, but have you heard of Dan Guetter? The brother in the middle that swears he’ll be the first Guetter to NOT flip an ATV.
Dan has devoted everything he has into promoting his brothers and their place in the ATV industry, freestyle ATV motocross. The Guetter boys used to work with Wes Miller and H Bomb Films. Recently they decided to go their own way and formed a company called Akraix. With that, let’s ask Dan a few questions…
I was in the pen when i took that shot, almost got ran over….the dangers of filming
ATV Scene: First thing’s first. What is Akraix? And why have you named your new company after it.
Guetter: The name stems of off the Greek definition (Akrasia) which means – weakness of will (CRAZY). We named our company Akraix because we wanted something unique and different. Akraix is all about getting more people involved in the quad industry, entertaining crowds and getting new upcoming talent involved with contests, demos and action packed DVDs. We’re all about setting new trends in this industry.
ATV Scene: Who’s on your new team? What are their roles?
Guetter: I don’t like using the word team. This is how we got into a bind with our last employer. We’re like a family. Each person can do what they please with no strings attached. We’re here to help and support each other. For riders we have the loco freestyle combo of Jon and Derek Guetter, Dirt Riot poster boy, Garret Engelstad and the crazy Hawaiian, Kelly “Steelrod” Chang. It’s an all-star FMX group that can’t be stopped – in my opinion. We just picked up Sage Baker for a MX sponsorship. He has faith in us, and believes everything we stand for! I think Sage is a force to be reckoned with in ’05.
Old school freestyle meets new school freestyle… Tavis Cain, Dana Creech, Derek Guetter and Jon Guetter –
Dan rolls tape on the 2005 GNC opener Glen Helen starting gate.
ATV Scene: What are Akraix goals?
Guetter: To establish our company and credibility within the ATV industry. To become an international market leader providing quality action films and apparel, as well as welcoming new upcoming riders that hope to turn pro. Our goal as a company is to provide national growth and awareness for, in our opinion –“the best sport on the planet”.
ATV Scene: You were employed by H-Bomb Films and most of your new team was a member of H-Bomb’s “Bomb Squad”. It seems like the Bomb Squad was just taking off pretty well.
Guetter: No. I think this just gives someone else the opportunity to be a part of that.
ATV Scene: Does that mean your guys won’t be in any more of H-Bomb’s Huevos series?
Guetter: That’s not my call.
Dana Creech bustin out on his drz 110.
ATV Scene: What’s on your schedule this year? Do you have anything cool to announce?
Guetter: We have a busy schedule. In a few weeks we have Jon flying to Bangkok, Thailand to a MXI Freestyle show, then two days later the guys are flying to Australia and New Zealand on March 1st to tackle the Crusty Demons of Dirt World Tour. Go to crusty.com for more info. When the guys come back, we’ll be hitting the USA with a handful of shows. East coast get ready! I’ll announce all the show dates this spring at our new webiste. akraix.com. Also, check in for for X-Game updates!
ATV Scene: What’s it like when your brother Jon enters a stadium full of freestyle
motocross fans?
Guetter: It’s a rush. I’m usually down on the floor with him. The weird thing is, out of all Jon’s back flips, I think I’ve seen one with my own eyes. I’m always behind a camera.
ATV Scene: What typically goes down after the show?
Guetter: Depends if we go to the hospital or not. For the most part we celebrate.
ATV Scene: Are there any ATV groupies following you guys around yet?
Guetter: (Laughs) No comment.
Derek Guetter cools down his sled in Canada.
ATV Scene: We hear Jon is getting mad props from the biggest names in freestyle
motocross. If he never did the back flip on a quad do you think those guys would give ATV
freestylers the time of day?
Guetter: Honestly, no. The Freestyle quadcross world really wasn’t going anywhere. It was only time till someone would pull a trick that would grab the bike pros attention. He did it, and it’s opened massive doors.
ATV Scene: Who do you think will be the second person to land a flip?
Guetter: I have no idea. There are people who are flipping in foam pits, but there hasn’t been an individual that has claimed dirt. I’d really like to see Kelly Chang knock it out. He has the drive and will power to do it. Kelly will have the opportunity to try this feat in the next few weeks!
ATV Scene: Will the flip become common place in freestyle quad cross?
Guetter: I think so. The industry is finally getting to the point where more people are taking interest in ATVs and Quad Freestyle. With that being said, I think more nuts will come out of the woodwork!
Kelly Chang, Jon and Garret Engelstad take a breather from an epic day of filming in Hawaii.
Derek Guetter hangs from a Eureka, CA cliff.
ATV Scene: Have you started your first film yet?
Guetter: We sure have! We’ve been very busy the last two months filming all over the world. We’ve filmed up in Canada, Hawaii, California, and Mexico. We’re really looking forward to this summer. We have a lot of unique shoots scheduled for 2005. A good handful of pro GNC riders also came up to us and expressed there interest in filming. The positive reaction with everyone has been outstanding!
ATV Scene: What can we expect from Akraix videos?
Guetter: For the last three years we’ve been finding out what video buyers like and dont like. Trust me, this video series will not disappoint. I will do my best to make our first video release a classic!
ATV Scene: Go back five years. Did you have any idea that you guys would be doing this for a living?
Guetter: Yes. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid. If you have the drive and will power to succeed, it will happen. I’m fortunate enough to have family and friends backing me 110% which is a huge!
Derek Guetter huckin a huge 70 foot dune at Glamis.
ATV Scene: What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you guys?
Guetter: Moving to California. Being from Minnesota, I never thought that would ever happen!
ATV Scene: What’s a typical day for you?
Guetter: We’ll from 10am till 5pm is all business, on the phone, emails, meetings, ect. After business hours is where the fun starts. I usually eat lunch at 5, take a little break then hack on Photoshop till the late hours. That’s my life in a nut shell. Typical day is 10am to 2am. I know it’s not healthy, but I don’t mind it. The hard work pays off. Weekends are a different story though!
ATV Scene: How did you get so good with Photoshop?
Guetter: Hard work. I went to college for three years in Alexandra, Minnesota. In my opinion, they have the best graphic teachers in the world. I lived with another graphic designer, Martin Olson, who I look up to and admire. We pushed each other everyday till we got to the point of mastering Photoshop.
It’s more than just using the program, you have to be artistic and influential of your surroundings. I think Southern California is ahead of the design world, and I’m glad to be apart of it!
Garret Engelstad getting huge extension on the cordova.
ATV Scene: What would you be doing if you were not involved in the ATV scene?
Guetter: This is my life. I wouldn’t be doing anything other than what I’m doing now. I’ll be in the industry till the end!
ATV Scene: Quick, what comes to mind when we say…Sony PS2?
Guetter: MX vs ATV Unleashed
ATV Scene: Champion?
Guetter: Doug Gust
ATV Scene: Role model?
Guetter: My brothers
ATV Scene: Baja?
Guetter: Getting robbed
ATV Scene: Ohio?
Guetter: Quad riders
ATV Scene: College?
Guetter: Party
ATV Scene: Computers?
Guetter: Photoshop
Here’s something original, – close up – on coming helmet cam shots!
ATV Scene: Football?
Guetter: Randy Moss
ATV Scene: Snowmobiles?
Guetter: Back flips
ATV Scene: California?
Guetter: Women
ATV Scene: Women?
Guetter: California
ATV Scene: Rental cars?
Guetter: Limo
ATV Scene: NASCAR?
Guetter: Number 3
ATV Scene: Friday night?
Guetter: Party time!
ATV Scene: Hotels or RVs?
Guetter: Weekend Warriors
Kelly Chang shows us why he’s the man!
ATV Scene: Sponsors?
Guetter: Denton Racing, IMS, Roll Design, Maxxis, Four, O’Neal, Kicker, PEP, SRH, Douglas Wheel, Laker Custom, Rath Racing, Weekend Warrior, Blur Optics, and Rotten Inc.
ATV Scene: Any parting words?
Guetter: I’d like to thank everyone who believes in us. If it wasn’t for people like Dana Creech or Tavis Cain, this whole dream wouldn’t have happened. My parents, Clete and Tami Guetter for the 110% support, Wes Miller for our start, and my friends who help out on this wonderful program! My brothers, Jon and Derek Guetter and Trent Teigen for pushing me to do my best.
