American dream
By TMX Archives on 15th Sep 03
isn't your average schoolboy racer. Yeah, he's faster than your normal 15-year-old but that isn't what makes the Wiltshire lad different. ADAM CHATFIELD isn't your average schoolboy racer. Yeah, he's faster than your normal 15-year-old but that isn't what makes the Wiltshire lad different. What makes him special is that he races half of his time in the States - and does very well at it too.Adam started coming over to the States in October '98 when he raced at the Mini Os at Gatorback in Florida. This gave him a taste of the American scene but it was the Foot and Mouth epidemic that finally pushed him over the pond on a more regular basis. Not wanting to take virtually a full year off, he headed to the good old US of A to continue his blossoming career.Doc Wobbly and Steve 'Bingo' Jackson caught up with him at the AMA national amateur championships at Lorretta Lynn's.dbr: What made you decide to split your racing over two continents?AC: "Initially it was just to get a good event in at the end of the year by going to Florida, then it hit us that it's where you need to be if you plan on making a good career out of motocross."dbr: How do you manage with school?AC: "They're really cool with it and give me the time to go providing my test results are okay and I can catch up when I'm at home."dbr: What's the major difference between racing over here and at home?AC: "It's just a lot bigger here with manufacturer support as well as the magazine coverage. A lot of the guys have full-factory support from a really early age and also people are all excited for you when you do well, not all bitter like back in home. Saying that, England will always be my home - nothing will change that."dbr: Who are your sponsors?AC: In the UK I'm sponsored by MX World - Jason there takes really good care of me. And I'm sponsored over here by Honda USA through their amateur programme which is run by Honda of Houston. Apart from that I have the same clothing deal worldwide with Alloy although I wear different helmet and goggles when I'm in the UK (yes Wob, we know he wears Smith in the UK)."dbr: So which events will you be at in the US?AC: "I'll be here for the Mini Os in October and I'm also back for the World Minis in Vegas in April."dbr: Jeez, you must have some amount of bikes?AC: "Yeah! I have eight here in the States and three at home. I need more here as there are more classes with the stock and modified classes, the super minis and so on. It's a big commitment and without my sponsors it would be impossible - I can't thank them enough."dbr: Who are your biggest competitors?AC: "The Alessi boys are always somewhere near the front and my good friend Ryan Villipoto is hard work on the track - he rarely makes mistakes."dbr: You're still riding 85s at 15 - aren't you a bit old for that?AC: "Yeah, I think that too. I'm riding 125s at home and next year I'll be on 125s full-time - I plan on going pro in two years."dbr: Here or at home?AC: "I'll give it a good shot here as I'll be finished with school and the American schedule won't allow me to travel home to race. I'll try to make a career for myself here as there are a lot more opportunities than in Europe. The 125 teams are all looking for the next big thing and I'll be giving it my best shot at supercross in 2005."