Jeff Stoess 5-19-04

By Bonnie Hamrick

Name: Jeff Stoess
Nickname: Pappa Fro
Age: 32
Residence: Crestwood, KY
’04 Racing No: 1
Quad: 2004 ATK
Truck: Ford F350 Powerstroke
All Time Favorite Races: Black Water 100, 2003 Penton, 2004 Spartan, The Wisp
’04 Sponsors: ATK, Elka, Kenda tires, Moose, TheQuadShop, Tireballs, Graphic MX, Houser Racing, GT Thunder, IMS, HiPer Wheels, HMF, ExRiders.com, Spider Grips, PRM, White Brothers, Cycra, Diamond Racing, Maslanik Motorsorts, Haydug Cycles, Santor Racing.It’s official. You can add Jeff Stoess’ name to the list of GNCC overall winners. Jeff took top honors at the Spartan GNCC in Sparta, KY. Add in Jeff’s enormous love for this sport and his success with his own aftermarket company, called the TheQuadShop – and you have more the enough reason for an in depth ATV Scene interview. Here’s our conversation with him…

ATV Scene: How long have you been riding and racing? Any Championships?
Stoess: I’ve been riding ATVs and dirt bikes for 19 years and racing for 16 years. I was the 1998 MidSouth Pro champion, the 2003 GNCC 4-stroke A runner-up, and the 1999 and 2000 MidSouth 4-stroke A motorcycle runner-up.

ATV Scene: Can you describe what it’s like to win a GNCC overall?
Stoess:It feels really good just knowing that there are only a handful of people that have actually done it over the years. It is a big weight off my shoulders. I have been looking forward to it for a long time. But then again, in another way, it puts more pressure on me to continue to do well and win again.

ATV Scene: How does this year compare to any other season?
Stoess:So far it has been the best yet. Last year was a lot of fun battling with Bryan Cook in the 4 Stroke A class. I will always remember that one. But I have been looking forward to this year.

ATV Scene: What is it about this sport that has you so hooked?
Stoess: Being with all the friends I’ve met over the years. I’m a big fan of the sport in general. And just the rush of going through the woods at mach 3! (laughing)

ATV Scene: You’re extremely involved in this sport and just might know more ATV trivia than us. Let’s test you. Since its inception can you name all the riders that have won a GNCC ATV overall? How about past ATV pro champions?
Stoess: I’ll try. Overall champions: Bill Ballance, Barry Hawk, Bob Sloan, Chuck Delullo, Tom Tokey and Teddy Trey. Other race winners: William Yokley, Brandon Ballance, Chad Duvall, Matt Smiley, Chris Borich, Kim Kuhnle, Brad Page, Steve Holbert, Paul Stoltz, Jason Brown, Jeff Seegott, Norm Bish, Rick Matteson, Roy Dains and me. Thats all I can think of.

ATV Scene: Impressive memory! We’re pretty sure you’ve named them all.
Stoess: I told you, I’m not just a rider, I’m a big fan of this sport.

ATV Scene:

photo by: Bonnie Hamrick Jeff handled the rocks at Rausch Creek well. He finished up fifth overall, (fourth in the pro class).Who do you think is the next Bill Balance?
Stoess: I don’t think anyone can replace Bill, he is simply amazing on a quad.

ATV Scene: Who do you predict will be the first guy to take a championship from King Bill?
Stoess: Wow. I don’t know if I should touch that one. My vote goes to Chris Borich.

ATV Scene: Do you follow what’s going on in the GNC series?
Stoess: Not too much. I usually just look to see who won the pro class.

ATV Scene: Do you think it is possible for a GNC pro to wonder into the GNCC series and win an overall? In your opinion, which GNC pro would stand the best chance at doing that?
Stoess: Yikes, your trying to get me into trouble here, (laughing). I’d say JJ (Jeremiah Jones) would have the best chance since he already has some GNCC experience and is very good at it.

ATV Scene: Do you think a GNCC pro could ever win a GNC MX? Which GNCC pro would you send to the motocross track to best represent the cross country scene?
Stoess: I’d say if the conditions were right — (muddy), then absolutely! If Bill were to put his mind to it, I’d say he would stand a very good chance even under normal track conditions.

ATV Scene: What’s all this about guys betting who will finish up with a higher number between you and Johnny Gallagher?
Stoess: (Laughing), I’m not sure what’s up with that. I just want to know where is my cut?

ATV Scene: Is it safe to say you’re a “mudder”? Do you have any tips on how to master riding in the mud?
Stoess: I guess all the years riding the Winter Mid South Series has taught me a lot about mud racing. There is always a whole lot of mud that time of the year. Just use your head and I try to remember the phrase “look before you leap”. I like to run big hand guards and tape a goggle lens to my visor when it gets muddy. 22″ rear tires help a bunch too.

ATV Scene: How has the transition into the pro class from 4 Stroke A been for you?
Stoess: It has been pretty smooth. I used to run pro several years ago, so it is like going back into the same groove again. It isn’t too bad.

ATV Scene: Tell us more about your weapon of choice in the pro class – the ATK (formerly Cannondale).
Stoess: This year I am running an ATK. It is a 450 instead of a 440 (Cannondale). It has Elka suspension and I have Kenda tires this year. Everything is working awesome! Other than that, it’s basically stock.

ATV Scene: Is ATK sponsoring you? If so what are they doing for you?
Stoess: Yes, they set me up with a bike and a very nice parts credit. Look for ATK to really get into the race scene in the future.

ATV Scene: You’re the only rider in the pro field riding the ATK. Why is the ATK so rare in the pro ranks?
Stoess: Yes. I think that a lot of riders believe that they (Cannondales) are unreliable and hard to get parts for. That’s not the case at all! I had zero DNFs last year and only one this year – do to my own fault. When I was riding Hondas in the past, I would have at least one or two DNFs per year. ATK has enough parts to last at least five years and will be making or purchasing more as supplies run out.

ATV Scene: Do you feel you have any advantages with the machine?
Stoess: Yes! The bike has a very smooth easy to use power band but yet is still an extremely fast quad. It handles as well as any of the aftermarket 250Rs that I used to race and it is the most waterproof quad ever built! It is the only true race quad out of the box that has ever been mass produced in my opinion.

ATV Scene: Can you share any secret set ups with us?
Stoess: Nope! Just kidding. I move the fuel pump from behind the radiator to the sub frame for better cooling and use two batteries for quicker starting.

ATV Scene: What’s with the desert seat?
Stoess: It lets me sit down more without hurting my back. It makes a huge difference!

ATV Scene: What is the Quadshop?
Stoess: It is a dealership in Crestview, KY. We sell ATKs, and little ATVs called E-Tons as well as used quads and dirt bikes. We do a whole lot of mail order business and a good bit of local business as well. We specialize in suspension rebuilding and chassis components. Check out our website at quadshopatv.com

ATV Scene: How long have you been running it?
Stoess: The Quadshop has been running for about four years now.

ATV Scene: Who are some of the riders the Quadshop supports?
Stoess: John Rowling, Traci Cecco, Rick Cecco, Johnny Gallagher, Tyler Lening, Fred Mudd, Marty Eckert, Dave McCarroll, Harlen Foley, Rob Richardson, Nathan Delabar, Brad Morrison, Adam Howell, Gary Belbeck, Brandon Sommers, Ben Wrightsman, Kyrie Brafford, Kim Muzzarelli, Jason Meek, Cody and Ryan Hill. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. I believe we had four or five class champions in the 2003 GNCC series.

ATV Scene: That’s a lot of sponsored riders. How do you select your team each year?
Stoess: We go off their resumes. It’s not really how fast you are or how many races you’ve won. Its more on how you present yourself on and off the track.

ATV Scene: Is the Quadshop your full time job?
Stoess: Yes.

ATV Scene: What’s a typical day for you?
Stoess: Take the kids to preschool, work at the shop from 9-5:30 (mostly answering phone calls and emails), pick up kids and go home for some family time.

ATV Scene: The GNCC series is snowballing. Many would agree that there are too many riders on the track at one time. In your opinion, what should be done about this success problem?
Stoess: I honestly don’t think that it has gotten that bad yet. Ever since they started running morning and afternoon it has been a lot better. Lappers are apart of any type of long distance racing like this. I guess the only thing to do if it keeps getting bigger is to make it two days for quads and two days for bikes on separate weekends. I hope they don’t resort to making the tracks more open (faster). I like them the way they are.

ATV Scene: Any future prediction regarding our industry?
Stoess: I see the factories getting more involved and fielding teams like they do for the bikes. And it would be nice to see factory salaries too.

ATV Scene: Are you married? Any kids? Does your family support what you’re doing?
Stoess:Yes, my wife’s name is Laura and I have two daughters, Baylee age four and Laykin age 19 months. Laura has been going to quite a few races lately which is fun because she went to all of them when we were dating and had to stop when we had our first child. Baylee has gone to a couple so far this year and really seems to enjoy it. Laykin will be going to her first race in June at The Wisp so that should be interesting. My parents will be along to help with that thank goodness.

ATV Scene: What are your goals for this year?
Stoess: Top ten overall!

ATV Scene: Let’s talk about your involvement in the online forums. Which forums do you browse during the week?
Stoess: I think they are really good for the sport. I think it is amazing how much they have grown and elevated the sport over the past couple years. It seems like most of the racers are on the forums during the week getting things pumped up and reading about ATV racing. That is a really big help to the sport. I go to ATVScene.com, ExRiders.com, Cannondaleriders.com, Cannondaler.com and Kentuckyriders.com. Those are the main ones. There are a few smaller ones I hit as well.

ATV Scene: We happen to know of a lot of other pro riders that are also on the forums these days, but most are hiding under an alias name. You openly and proudly post under your own name. In your experiences why do you think most of our pro riders choose not to use their real names?
Stoess: I can’t answer for them but I’d guess that they don’t have time to answer a lot of questions. I know most of these guys have jobs that aren’t near a computer like mine is. Johnny G and Santo Derisi post under their own names a lot

ATV Scene: Many of today’s ATV aftermarket companies are anti-forum people. They feel that online forums are nothing more than a way to slander fine companies out there that don’t have time to back up false accusations that arise almost daily. You and your Quadshop business go the other way. It’s safe to say that most of your business is because of your online participation. Would you like to see more companies logging on – or would this take away from your “online empire”?
Stoess:I do believe that it is a big advantage for companies to get on the forums and talk about and sometimes defend their products. With out the internet, I don’t think that TheQuadShop would even exist. All the products that I sell are ones that I believe in and use myself, so I’m not worried about getting a bad reputation from inferior products.

ATV Scene: You might know best, how many aftermarket company representatives are active on the forums?
Stoess: There are very few companies that will actively post and I think that they are really missing out. If I had to guess I’d say maybe 1% is currently active on the forums.

ATV Scene: Thanks for talking with us and good luck the rest of the season. Not to add even more pressure to you but we’ll be watching for that red ATK up front.
Stoess: Thanks for having me. I’ll do my best as always.

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