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Privateer Profile: Rick Carmody
July 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under Privateer Profile
Name: Rick Carmody
Race Number: 394
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Team: Cretins Racing, Ducpower.com
AHRMA and WSMC racer Rick Carmody • Courtesy Carmody
How did you get introduced to motorcycles?
My father gave me rides on his motorcycle starting at around the age of 2. He then bought me my first motorcycle at around age 8 or 9.
What made you want to start racing?
It happened after I attended one of AHRMA’s Corsa Moto Classica events around 2005, I believe. I decided right then and there that I was going to build me a vintage race bike and race in AHRMA the following year.
How do you finance your racing habit?
By living cheap, doing side motorcycle projects, sometimes getting a light sponsor, and the Cretins Motorcycle Club. The club also has race benefits to help us out for future races.
What do you find most difficult about balancing your racing with other responsibilities?
Taking time off from work to travel to events has been rather difficult; organizing my life around month after month of racing.
What series and region do you race, and who are your toughest competitors?
In WSMC, I race Battle of The Twins and Vintage classes, and my toughest competitors are Russ Stranger, Charles Barnett, Loyde Richards, Brian Hertzfelt, and several others. In AHRMA, I race Battle of the Twins and Sportsman 500.
Describe a typical race weekend.
My bike sponsor, Ed Milich, sometime comes to help. My pit mechanic Jesse P., my dog Maggie, and the rest of the Cretins Race team are there. My goal is to drive myself home, have fun, and stay competitive. Podiums are a nice goal too.
Photo by Brian J. Nelson
How would you describe yourself as a racer?
Sharp, focus, smooth, competitive, and in general a safe rider.
What activities do you do outside of road racing, either for fun or for training?
Mountain biking, running, soccer, hiking, riding motorcycles in the city or on trips, camping, and golf.
What do you love about road racing?
The adrenaline-pumping excitement, smooth turns, and the competitive edge it takes to win a race over faster competitors.
What other road race series do you follow?
AMA Pro, MotoGP, and World Superbike. Those are the race series I want to experience and race in before I retire from racing.
Your own personal favorite race or best finish thus far?
I’ve podiumed more than twenty-eight times in the past thirty-four races. I was the 2009 WSMC Vintage Lightweight Champion, finished second in the 2009 WSMC Vintage Heavyweight season, and was second in the 2009 AHRMA Sportsman 500 Pacific Challenge series.
Courtesy Carmody
Your career goals (if any) in racing?
To move from riding a 900ss to a new 848 so that I can be more competitive and hopefully race in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike.
Where can people learn more about you or follow your on-track progress?
At http://rickyracer394.blogspot.com, www.myspace.com/highside39, and on Facebook.
People you’d like to thank?
The Cretins Motorcycle Club, Ducpower.com, bimotocagiva.com, Guzzitech.com, Ed Milich, http://www.werkstattsf.com, fleetserve.com, the 2wheelsocial group, and my parents, Deb and Mike Carmody.
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