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Privateer Profile: Anthony Bakker
April 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under Privateer Profile
Name: Anthony Bakker
Race Number: 820
Team: Team Kaka Racing
Team Kaka Racing's Anthony Bakker. • Courtesy Bakker
How did you get introduced to motorcycles?
When I was 13, my father bought me a Suzuki TM400 Cyclone dirt bike, and I’ve been addicted ever since. When I was 16, I bought a 1973 RD350 and tricked it out. In the early ’80s, I used to hang with some “older” guys who raced motorcycles with WMRRA and hung out at the Nationals, where I saw Fast Freddie, Eddie Lawson, etc. I always wanted to road race, but couldn’t afford it; just kept begging and pleading with my parents.
When did you start racing?
Since road racing was out of the question during my teen years, I started drag racing, and did that for sixteen years until around 1997. I finally started road racing in 2008.
How do you finance your racing habit?
Can you say “sugar-momma”? Just kidding. I’m a full-time Sr. network architect, and my wife is a regional director of sales for a large insurance company.
What do you find most difficult about balancing your racing with other responsibilities?
There’s no difficulty about it; I just set my mind to it and do it. [Fortunately] I’m able to take time off pretty much any time I like or need.
What series and region do you race, and who are your toughest competitors?
The Pacific Northwest, with the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA). My toughest competitor is the whole grid.
Describe a typical race weekend.
Prep the bike and gear days prior, then wake up early on Saturday to get to the track. There’s set up, tech, and then my beautiful bride, Heidi, shows up late morning and helps with tires, stands, fuel, etc. She’s awesome.
How would you describe yourself as a racer?
Being relatively new to the sport, I think I’m doing just fine. A few more rounds with the seasoned experts and I’ll settle in. I’m also great at promoting myself and obtaining sponsors, and promoting them.
What activities do you do outside of road racing, either for fun or for training?
Boxing. I love boxing! It’s the best cardio and builds stamina.
Bakker on board • Photo by Darren Beatty
What do you love about road racing?
It’s almost impossible for me to describe. Just knowing you’re on the edge and that you make it back around 99 percent of the time…. It keeps the heart pumping.
What other road race series do you follow?
The Isle Of Man TT, British Superbike Championship, Irish road racing, and real roads racing.
Your road racing hero/heroes? Joey Dunlop—the man tamed the TT Mountain Course! Kenny Roberts—the original king, enough said. Nick Crowe—a sidecar racer who’s overcoming his injuries and staying involved in the sport.
Your own personal favorite race or best finish thus far?
My first 600 Superbike race with the experts. I finished!
Your career goals (if any) in racing?
This year I plan on doing WERA at Miller. For 2011 and beyond, my goal is to race the Dundrod Circuit in Northern Ireland and maybe the Manx Grand Prix.
Where can people learn more about you or follow your on-track progress?
http://us.kakaracing.co.uk
http://www.kakaracing.co.uk
http://facebook.com/madmanxusa
http://facebook.com/madmanx
http://twitter.com/madmanxusa
People you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank all my sponsors and supporters: my teammates in the UK, Bill Callister and Jeff Booth; Motul USA; Todd McNabney of Heroic Racing Apparel; Dave Lanigan of SpeedDealer Motors; Spidergrips; Genesis Fights and AMC Pankration; Klenchguards; Darren Beatty Photography; Vortex racing; Pitposse; Lockhart Phillips; and Irishroadracers.com.
Ed. Note: Are you an active privateer racer who’d like your own Privateer Profile? To be considered, just click here and complete the online interview.
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Good luck!
tony is one of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet. can’t wait for his next race!
Go Tony!!! Good Luck!!!
))
Tony is a hard worker and a great racer. No one loves this sport more than he does. Thanks to his sponsors who recognize this and support him in his dream. I’d like to invite everyone to come down to the WMRRA races on May 8th and 9th. http://www.wmrra.com/index.html#schedule
All my Dad talks about is racing. Isle Of Man this Uk that,Ireland.
WOW Tony.. Nice writeup.. Honestly, as a manufactuer, to see a customer so motivated to plug his sponsors makes doing what we are doing worthwhile and appreciated.. You go Tony..
Todd / HEROIC
Hey, Tony,
I just say: go for it! I understand you will be in Europe soon to race in Ireland. Good luck, hope the weather is okay.
See ya!!
Your cuzz
Tony,
Very nice! Glad to have such a motivated racer on our team, I can’t express how professional he is with his sponsors! We wish you the best in 2010
Tony, we are very proud to have you as one of our ‘Spider Riders’. You represent yourself, our sport, and our product in a professional manner both on and off the track. Now about the boxing, we’ll have to see about some vibration damping boxing gloves!
Best of luck in the 2010 season.
Tony! Looking great on your CBR! Good write up, and great exposure for our club here in Seattle! Thanks for all your dedication to the sport, and to your sponsors. http://www.darrenbeattyphotography.com couldnt be happier to support you! Keep it up!
Tony is the kind of guy that makes you proud to be a sponsor. Dedicated and thoughtful.
If you focus on your racing as you’ve focused on those around you, you’re looking at a very rewarding career my friend. Thanks for all you do!!
Good interview.
I think you’ll get there, Tony. I look forward to watching you race on the Isle of Man one day. 