ERIC RUPE INTERVIEW

How old are you and how long have you been racing?
Born June 14, 1963 - 45 yrs old - Been racing since 1974 - In my 34th year of racing - 31st as a pro.

What keeps you motivated to continue?
Racing for me is still fun, plus I'm really competitive, so trying to prove I'm good enough keeps my fire burning!

Tell us a good old-school story that you swore you'd never, ever tell in a million years... until July 2008. You can change the names to protect the guilty, but that wouldn't be very fun.
I knew a guy (he shall EVER remain nameless) that rented a car in Rockford, IL in 1984 for the ABA Fall Nationals. Monday morning after the race, he decided to take it for a little joyride. Seeing a pretty ramp-like railroad crossing, he gunned it and held on tight. Next thing ya know, he's quoting Clark Grizwald from the movie VACATION, "Fifty yards, yep, FIFTY YARDS!" After the launch it was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for the drive back to the Chicago airport. Upon arriving in the hotel parking lot, and seeing that the blacktop was freshly wet from a rain shower, the driver decided to "Do a Rockford in Rockford". A Rockford is a car stunt performed by Jim Rockford of the 70's TV show, THE ROCKFORD FILES. Basically, the move is putting the car in reverse, backing up at high speed, whipping a quick 180, throwing it in drive half way through the slide and gassing it as the engine engages into drive and resuming in a forward direction. This time the stunt was performed while 10 or so younger BMXers were watching and one unhappy TM. After a huge applause from the fans, it was back to the room to get a "talking to" by the TM. LOL. Then off to the airport. After only a few miles on the highway, the oil light came on in the car. We pulled over to check, and the stick said oil was low. We bought some oil, filled it up and hit the road. Five miles later the oil light comes on again. This time, when we pull over, we check and notice a golf ball size hole in the bottom of the oil pan. We're guessing that the railroad track jump stunt is what caused the hole. LOL. We called the rental car company and they had a tow truck come pick us up and bring us to the airport. We said we had no idea what the problem was, but the car just wouldn't hold oil. They said no problem and we never heard from them again. TRUE STORY.

What riders have you been really psyched on in each of the following decades 70's 80's 90's 00's?
That's easy...
70's - David Clinton
80's - Stu Thomsen
90's - Christophe Leveque
00's - Randy Stumpfhauser

Do you have a single best race moment? If so please tell us about it.
Another easy one...
I've been racing a long time and have I won lots of races and a lot of championships, but nothing ever meant more to me than when I won the NBL Single A title at the Grands in 2000. The reason was because my oldest son, Rocky was with me all that summer traveling and racing. He was there at the Grands racing as I filmed him and he was filming me. I was 37 years old going for the title against guys in their early twenties. The pro section that year was no joke and just making it through was tricky. I didn't do it in practice. I didn't do it in the motos, I didn't do it in the quarter. Rocky told me I could do it and to just go for it. I knew if I didn't do it, the title would go to one of the guys that were hitting it every lap. When I was in second place in the semi, I knew I needed to hit it up or I wouldn't make the main. I pinned it, kept the bike level and cleared both sets. When I landed, I shot into the lead and won it. In that semi was Cimar Duarte, the only guy who had a chance to win the title, IF he made the main. He ended up 5th and the title was mine even BEFORE the main. The first person I saw and talked to after that lap was Rocky. He gave me a big hug and was SOOO stoked I went for the section, made it clean AND made the main. What he didn't know was that by making the main and having Duarte not make it, the title was mine. After I told him that, he was so happy for me, there were tears in both our eyes. That's a moment I'll never forget. THE BEST !

How do you think clipless pedals have affected BMX? (I don't care if you support them or oppose them. I just want your opinion.)
I'm not a big fan of them. I will admit, they have made me a faster sprinter and they have SURELY helped me keep my feet on the pedals (a real problem I had during the 80's and 90's). What I don't like is that they have made racing less aggressive and not as fun. It's not because of a safety factor, it's because you can't afford to be aggressive and possibly come unclipped, cause you'll lose your place, lose your momentum and then can't get clipped back in in nearly enough time... Race Over. My opinion, if you want more exciting racing, take away the clips.

Do you remember where you were when you heard about the Olympics? If so tell us about it.
I was at an NBL race in Florida when I first heard about BMX racing being in the next Olympics. I was happy to hear it for sure! Most would say, IT'S ABOUT TIME, but I say the timing is just right. The old school always dreamed of BMX racing being in the Olympics, but we just couldn't see it happening. The reason I think BMX racing should not have been in the Olympics before now is simple. It hasn't been until the last several years that there have been enough riders on a world wide scale that could win Elite Men's main events. If BMX were to have been in the Olympics in the 80's, you would have seen a USA sweep without a doubt. In the 90's it would have been two or three countries that would have had a legit shot at gold. Nowadays, there are many countries that have riders fast enough to win. It's gonna be good. I'm pullin' for Mike Day and the USA, but there are no sure bets. USA! USA!! USA!!!

What does a race like the ERA Kingston Cup mean to you?
I'm stoked to see an event like the ERA Kingston Cup. Flat pedals will bring more aggressive racing, which will be better for the spectators and more fun for the riders. The track is rumored to be a real rider friendly, spectator fun one. Everyone I've talked to is really looking forward to being there. The big prize money is awesome and long over due for these riders/athletes that are so talented. I'm hoping that the event is a big hit, where more and more events like this take place world wide.

Are you going to make it to Kingston for the race?
We at GT are adjusting our schedule / budget to get our racers there, so I can't say for sure if I'll be able to make it or not. Fingers crossed, as I hope to be in attendance. It's shaping up to be a MUST ATTEND event.

		ERIC RUPE INTERVIEW How old are you and how long have you been racing? Born June 14, 1963 - 45 yrs old - Been racing since 1974 - In my 34th year of racing - 31st as a pro. What keeps you motivated to continue? Racing for me is still fun, plus I'm really competitive, so trying to prove I'm good enough keeps my fire burning! Tell us a good old-school story that you swore you'd never, ever tell in a million years... until July 2008. You can change the names to protect the guilty, but that wouldn't be very fun. I knew a guy (he shall EVER remain nameless) that rented a car in Rockford, IL in 1984 for the ABA Fall Nationals. Monday morning after the race, he decided to take it for a little joyride. Seeing a pretty ramp-like railroad crossing, he gunned it and held on tight. Next thing ya know, he's quoting Clark Grizwald from the movie VACATION, "Fifty yards, yep, FIFTY YARDS!" After the launch it was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for the drive back to the Chicago airport. Upon arriving in the hotel parking lot, and seeing that the blacktop was freshly wet from a rain shower, the driver decided to "Do a Rockford in Rockford". A Rockford is a car stunt performed by Jim Rockford of the 70's TV show, THE ROCKFORD FILES. Basically, the move is putting the car in reverse, backing up at high speed, whipping a quick 180, throwing it in drive half way through the slide and gassing it as the engine engages into drive and resuming in a forward direction. This time the stunt was performed while 10 or so younger BMXers were watching and one unhappy TM. After a huge applause from the fans, it was back to the room to get a "talking to" by the TM. LOL. Then off to the airport. After only a few miles on the highway, the oil light came on in the car. We pulled over to check, and the stick said oil was low. We bought some oil, filled it up and hit the road. Five miles later the oil light comes on again. This time, when we pull over, we check and notice a golf ball size hole in the bottom of the oil pan. We're guessing that the railroad track jump stunt is what caused the hole. LOL. We called the rental car company and they had a tow truck come pick us up and bring us to the airport. We said we had no idea what the problem was, but the car just wouldn't hold oil. They said no problem and we never heard from them again. TRUE STORY. What riders have you been really psyched on in each of the following decades 70's 80's 90's 00's? That's easy... 70's - David Clinton 80's - Stu Thomsen 90's - Christophe Leveque 00's - Randy Stumpfhauser Do you have a single best race moment? If so please tell us about it. Another easy one... I've been racing a long time and have I won lots of races and a lot of championships, but nothing ever meant more to me than when I won the NBL Single A title at the Grands in 2000. The reason was because my oldest son, Rocky was with me all that summer traveling and racing. He was there at the Grands racing as I filmed him and he was filming me. I was 37 years old going for the title against guys in their early twenties. The pro section that year was no joke and just making it through was tricky. I didn't do it in practice. I didn't do it in the motos, I didn't do it in the quarter. Rocky told me I could do it and to just go for it. I knew if I didn't do it, the title would go to one of the guys that were hitting it every lap. When I was in second place in the semi, I knew I needed to hit it up or I wouldn't make the main. I pinned it, kept the bike level and cleared both sets. When I landed, I shot into the lead and won it. In that semi was Cimar Duarte, the only guy who had a chance to win the title, IF he made the main. He ended up 5th and the title was mine even BEFORE the main. The first person I saw and talked to after that lap was Rocky. He gave me a big hug and was SOOO stoked I went for the section, made it clean AND made the main. What he didn't know was that by making the main and having Duarte not make it, the title was mine. After I told him that, he was so happy for me, there were tears in both our eyes. That's a moment I'll never forget. THE BEST ! How do you think clipless pedals have affected BMX? (I don't care if you support them or oppose them. I just want your opinion.) I'm not a big fan of them. I will admit, they have made me a faster sprinter and they have SURELY helped me keep my feet on the pedals (a real problem I had during the 80's and 90's). What I don't like is that they have made racing less aggressive and not as fun. It's not because of a safety factor, it's because you can't afford to be aggressive and possibly come unclipped, cause you'll lose your place, lose your momentum and then can't get clipped back in in nearly enough time... Race Over. My opinion, if you want more exciting racing, take away the clips. Do you remember where you were when you heard about the Olympics? If so tell us about it. I was at an NBL race in Florida when I first heard about BMX racing being in the next Olympics. I was happy to hear it for sure! Most would say, IT'S ABOUT TIME, but I say the timing is just right. The old school always dreamed of BMX racing being in the Olympics, but we just couldn't see it happening. The reason I think BMX racing should not have been in the Olympics before now is simple. It hasn't been until the last several years that there have been enough riders on a world wide scale that could win Elite Men's main events. If BMX were to have been in the Olympics in the 80's, you would have seen a USA sweep without a doubt. In the 90's it would have been two or three countries that would have had a legit shot at gold. Nowadays, there are many countries that have riders fast enough to win. It's gonna be good. I'm pullin' for Mike Day and the USA, but there are no sure bets. USA! USA!! USA!!! What does a race like the ERA Kingston Cup mean to you? I'm stoked to see an event like the ERA Kingston Cup. Flat pedals will bring more aggressive racing, which will be better for the spectators and more fun for the riders. The track is rumored to be a real rider friendly, spectator fun one. Everyone I've talked to is really looking forward to being there. The big prize money is awesome and long over due for these riders/athletes that are so talented. I'm hoping that the event is a big hit, where more and more events like this take place world wide. Are you going to make it to Kingston for the race? We at GT are adjusting our schedule / budget to get our racers there, so I can't say for sure if I'll be able to make it or not. Fingers crossed, as I hope to be in attendance. It's shaping up to be a MUST ATTEND event.