Pushing 50, Cooper is signed up for the Vet class – says the only thing he did to get ready for Guthrie was ‘dust’
IRVINE, Calif., (Aug. 10, 2010) – The gloves are off … rather, the cobwebs are off and Oklahoman Guy Cooper is “Goin’ Racin’” this weekend when round two of the 2010 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, headlines at the legendary Lazy E Arena.
A former 125cc AMA MX National champion, ‘Coop’ last competed seriously in 2002 – at age 40 – on the outdoor national MX tour. Running what could best be described as a Man’s bike, the KTM540SX, Cooper was always a fan favorite where ever he showed up. His pancaked whips were a predecessor to the freestyle movement and his raw speed – and spectacular wrecks – endeared him to two generations of motocross race fans over his long career.
GEICO EnduroCross: Coop! What are you like 50 now?
Guy Cooper: (laughing) 48 going on 60! Everything on me feels older than 50. I fell off a lot in my day!
GEICO EnduroCross: What have you been doing these days?
Guy Cooper: I’m pretty much retired right now. I’ve got a four-year-old daughter and once she’s off to school I’ll probably have to go back to work. My interest’s still in motorcycles, so it’ll no doubt be something within the industry.
GEICO EnduroCross: You been riding much?
Guy Cooper: I’ve ridden about three times in the last year. The knobbies on my ’09 KTM still have the factory mold nubs on them … I might have to run my bike up and down the street a few times to get those off – so nobody laughs at me at Guthrie. I did get out and ride some single track with my brother last week in Colorado. Shook the cobwebs out a bit there. It was nice to get back on a bike and ride. That got me fired up for EnduroCross, so Lance (Bryson) didn’t have to twist my arm much to come out to the Lazy E.
GEICO EnduroCross: You raced Guthrie a few years back, got banged up a bit if we remember right. Caught the bug for the sport, though?
Guy Cooper: You know, I really used to enjoy trials and trail riding back in the day. EnduroCross – had it been invented 30 years ago – would have been right up my alley. When someone told me it was so brutal you couldn’t make a lap, that got me hooked. I love the concept for the sport. Love to ride it. Love to sit in the stands and watch it. Two years ago I was in over my head a little bit. Last year I just sat in the stands, watched and learned. This year I’ve decided to ride the Vet class.
GEICO EnduroCross: You going to break out the 540?
Guy Cooper: That bike had some horsepower, didn’t it? Funny, I just picked up some J.C. Penny glass display cases off Craig’s List and that bike’s all cleaned up and behind glass in my garage now, along with a dozen others I’ve raced over the years. Looks real nice.
GEICO EnduroCross: Right on. Hey, good luck this weekend at round two of GEICO EnduroCross in Guthrie!
Guy Cooper: Thanks. Look forward to seeing everyone out at the Lazy E on Saturday. Stop by and say ‘Hello!’
Here’s the Lazy E preview link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5J4PY-axbQ
EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole … and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. With its excitement and unpredictability the EnduroCross championship has always gone down to the wire and this year will be no different as the series starts and finishes at Vegas’ Orleans Arena! Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO Powersports AMA Endurocross “Live.”
ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of Source Interlink Magazines, LLC.
For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sourceinterlink.com.
For TV airing dates/times visit www.motorsportshour.com
Source Interlink Media Motorsports:
Encompassing the highly successful AMA GEICO MiniMotoSX presented by Monster Energy, the AMA GEICO EnduroCross Championship Series, presented by E3 Spark Plugs and the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships, the Source Interlink Media Motorsports brands reach millions of motorcycle enthusiasts with live events, DVD packages, web sites, television and magazine coverage. Visit www.minimotosx.com or www.endurocross.com.
