The Biker Place

Our successful series of interviews with the country’s up and coming young motorcycle racers continues here with an interview with Daley Mathison.

If you are interested in getting an interview yourself, get set up on The Biker Place and contact us once your profile page is up.

Interview with Daley Mathison

What first got you interested in motorcycle racing and who inspired you to get involved?

When I was about 7 years old my Dad had road bikes and decided to buy me a little off-road bike to play on, I loved flying round the fields on the little bike and, after a year or so we bought a full GP Polini minimoto. We intended to use the Polini to race but we never got round to it, a few of my Dads mates had minimotos so we used to go to a car park where the police weren’t bothered about us there and we had a bit race around. Not long after that my dad bought a 600 and started racing I always went with him to help out and watch it was so exciting for me because I had only ever seen road racing on the telly. I started watching it all the time on the telly and I realised I was old enough to ride a 125 so my dad looked into it and one day came home with an Aprilia RS 125 and we started there

You started racing when you were 13, what advice would you give to anyone out there who would like to get involved in racing but doesn’t know where to start or who to get in touch with?

When I first started it was in the middle of the rules changing so I first got in contact with one of the local clubs (auto 66 club) they then told me where I could do the theory part of my licence which i did. Now after that stage you need to go to a registered race school were they sign a form to say that you can ride a bike basically and then you send it away but with regards to who to get in touch with the ACU (Auto Cycle Union) is the best bet with all the forms rules and links to where and what schools you can go to. (http://www.acu.org.uk/info/joinus.aspx)

How much time do you put into training/practicing to be a competitive racer?

I personally spend all of me time after college either in the gym or on the track. I go to the gym a lot because I think fitness and diet is a very important part of racing. I have noticed it a lot more this year on the GP 125 because you are cramped up for a long time and do suffer from muscle fatigue so muscular endurance is vital. Track time is ultimately as important the more track time I get the faster I go, I just love time bonding with the bike when your racing you don’t have much time for learning however if your testing with no pressure it gives you time to relax and gel with the bike.

Since you began racing have you had any battles or rivalries with any other particular riders?

I have only had one main battle however it lasted all last year with a great friend of mine of track racing Will Hodgson and we were heel to heel the whole year so, great close racing with some very exciting manoeuvres as we kept the fans on their feet all year.

To date what has been your most memorable moment/achievement in racing?

Not sure to be honest my first race win was a great memorable and emotional moment as I had worked so hard towards it.

And, what has been your worst/most disappointing moment in racing?

The last round at Cadwell Park last year, crashing out of the first points race and mechanical failure the next day also in the points race moving me from 2nd in the championship down to 4th losing a whole year’s work in two days.

Could you give us a little run down on where you will be racing in 2008 and on what machine(s)?

2008 will be a mixed year for me as were not riding in any specific championships however, we do wish to run 5 of the northern rounds of BSB on the Honda RS 125 and also compete at all of Olivers Mount’s road races also on the 125. We will be hoping to get a 600 half way through the year also to compete at Olivers Mount.

What are your aims or what do you think you can achieve in 2008?

To be honest we’re just taking this year as it comes as we’re struggling when it comes to funding, however I would just like to achieve the best in every thing I do this year.

What would be your ideal career path in motorcycle racing from where you are now?

Well like everyone in this sport I want to go all the way, so we will just take it one step at a time hopefully move up the ranks all the way to the top.

Any people in particular you would like to thank or mention for getting to where you are so far?

I would like to say a big thank you to my family for putting in all of their time and also money into my sport and I much appreciate it. I would also like to thank all of my past and current sponsors for all of their help, without all this I wouldn’t be here.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, good luck for the 2008 season.

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