JR Schabel Interview - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**drgibson** · 02-02-2009, 01:27 PM

This Copied from tha AMA newsleter, I'm behind schedule in getting these posted.

JR is from Oklahoma and he rides at a lot of the races that I photograph. He is a great guy and pretty fast on the track. Here is the interview.

JR Schnabel, National Number 33 on the AMA Grand National Flat Track Series is making some serious moves to be a threat for the #1 plate in 2009.

Schnabel is the only rider which has ridden factory-backed equipment from Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Suzuki. Earning Rookie of the Year title in 1996, he is also a rider which can be a threat on any track at any time with 1-Half Mile, 4-Short Track and 4-TT Grand National Wins to his credit. Still looking for his first Mile win, JR has had several podium finishes and feels 2009 can be his season.

Schnabel will once again be racing with the Memphis Shades Team with legend tuner Babe Demay providing his experience to one of the best all-around and likeable riders on the series. Schnabel raced for Memphis Shades and Demay in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 with more wins than any other time in his career.

Jennifer Sierzega, editor of Flat Track Today had a chance to speak with Schnabel about his past, present and future flat track plans.

Q. First JR, thank you for your time today and I hope that you are not standing outside for this interview?

A. No actually I am inside today, I will be spending enough time outside in the weather getting ready for the season.

Q. After doing some research I found you actually have two careers, one as a racer the other an employee of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. While racing for the Suzuki Team, was it weird racing against the company you work for during the week?

A. Yes, I guess I am at least one of the few that hold down a full time job in an office and another full time at racing. Harley-Davidson has been quite supportive when I rode other brands. Year after year I always ask HD for support and when I didn't get it, I would always let them know my plans. They are good with my racing since the weekends racing is on my time.

Q. As many have read about and even speculated it is not business as normal for you?

A. I guess you speaking about Suzuki? We had heard the cutbacks were coming at Suzuki after the season ended last year, however none of us on the team had any idea it would affect their Flat Track program. We tried every angle to keep Suzuki into flat track racing. We just couldn't find enough funding to keep the entire team together. From what I understand Jake Johnson is staying with Travis (Team Manager) on the Suzuki's this year.
We still talk and I have maintained a good relationship with Suzuki and the team. I have a lot of respect for them.

Q. So up until 2006 you rode a Harley-Davidson in the twins class correct?

A. That's right. Babe and I both have plenty of experience on the Harley.

Q.The past two years you rode Suzuki's in the Singles and Twins Series. What does your program look like for 2009?

A. This year I will be back on the Memphis Shade Team riding a Harley-Davidson XR 750 in the Twins class and a Yamaha YZF 450 in the singles class. I believe we will have plenty of competitive equipment all year.

Q. On a lighter note, how did you choose number 33? Was it something special or just a random number?

A. I wish I had a story to go along with that but I don't. I raced as an amateur under number 16 and when I was ready to pick a national number I really wanted number 16. Ronnie Jones was racing like two events and was hanging on to that number every year. So I took 33. I thought the double 3 looked pretty cool.

Q. Obviously you love this sport or you wouldn't be racing at this level. What are the positives that this sport does for oneself and for the fans around the world?
A. I have been racing a better part of my life. It's just something I enjoy. During my amateur days my whole family would go and it was quality time with them, now my wife enjoys the races so it all just fits in. About two weeks of the year it's nice to have a break but then I get bored. When I get asked, "Why do I do this?" My answer is always the same, because I just love it. The sport and fans are great and the interaction makes you feel good.

Q. In the last thirtenn years did you ever consider moving to another sport? And what kept you here?

A. At one time I thought about Road Racing, but you know there is a misunderstanding that road racers make more money. Unless you are in the top ten it takes a lot of money to get involved in the sport and an aggressive schedule that wouldn't work with my job. The atmosphere in flat track is rather unique and flat track is all I want to do.

Q. If the fans were to work more collectively to support the sport, what would you recommend we do to aid in it's growth and success?

A. Attend the races and pass the word to your friends and family. Bring someone with you you this year. Since most races are based in the Midwest, we see a lot of the same fans come down to the pits and talk about the races or our career pasts. It is rewarding to see and hear them.I would like to see promoters work in pairing our races with other events like the Indy Mile did with the MotoGP weekend last year. I also think to grow the sport we need to carefully look at our venues. Some tracks require more track prep than others which can lead to a long show allowing our spectators to get bored with all the downtime. It must be action filled from start to finish. An idea that I have would be to start some indoor stadium events. This would keep the weather from being a factor and we can build a larger fan base.

Q. What if anything will change for you this year?

A. The biggest change is my move back with Memphis Shades, back on the benchmark of the sport riding the XR750 and riding the singles on a Yamaha. In fact, Babe is getting me one of the bikes very soon so I can begin training and testing. The team will consists of two tuners Babe Demay and Clayton with Jeff Carver as my teammate.
The two Daytona Short Track Nationals will certainly be different this year. In the past we have raced modified racing chassis, where this year all of us will be on production based bikes. We are going to start our season with an unknown, making for some very good racing.

We will race all the venues down there, but the Daytona we know at the stadium really favored the modified frame chassis; now we will be on DTX machines, should be a really good show.

I really don't have many worries this season because of my sponsors. I have had a great core of sponsors that have been with me from the start and they wholeheartedly are stepping up this year with support; Millennium Technologies, Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties, Moose Racing, Arai Helmets, Greedy Leathers, Motion Pro, K&N, Wiseco, Saddlemen, Falicon, Alpinestars, Pro Plates, Gene and Gail Cummings and Smith goggles.