1971
1973
1974
1977
1978
1979
1993
1998
2000
2002
2007
When you're Number Two you try harder.
When you get to be Number One you don't want to be Number Two again.
When you get to be Number One you don't want to be Number Two again.
Q. Then at the beginning of 1972 season you had the big 400 and you won the Swiss Grand Prix. Do you remember that?
A. Yes, with the big motor. DeCoster was second and Aberg third, two times.
Q. Then you got the smaller 360 and that was better?
A. Yes, at Prerov, Czechoslovakia, the same bike we have today. I had the first 360.
Q. The last year, 1973, you rode the 250 class and finished third behind Hakan Andersson and Ad Weil.
A. Yes, that's right.
Q. Why did you change from the 250 class to the 500 class for this year?
A. Well, it's because the factory wanted me to change, no problem. I think they wanted me to change because we needed a good finish in the 500. Last year, we did poorly in the 500 and now next year we will sell more 500 bikes. They needed someone in 500 to make a good finish. Arne and Brad are OK, they are sometimes very good, maybe not consistent.
Q. Do you think it's necessary for Husqvarna to win championship races?
A. Yes, we have to win some championship races, maybe not all the rounds, but it's necessary to do well.
Q. Well, that's been happening. Husqvarna can sell many motorcycles next year.
A. I think so. Next year everybody will be on a Husqvarna.
Q. There have been some problems. In '71 and '72 and last year were not too good for Husqvarna.
A. You know, every motorcycle has problems. And that is true for Husqvarna too. Last year it was Yamaha and Suzuki, but now Yamaha is nothing. Not only the motorcycle but the drivers too. In 250, Hakan Andersson was hurt and couldn't race, and in the 500 class, Van Velthoven had some problems and Ake Jonsson had problems, but everybody said that the motorcycle was bad because of the poor results. But now it's OK, Husqvarna had a good season and it's a good bike.
Q. How long has Pele, Per-Olaf Persson been your mechanic?
A. Exactly two years. He started in Czechoslovakia.
Q. He's very good, isn't he?
A. Yes, the best mechanic in the world. He knows everything because he raced for 17 years.
Q. It's much better when you have a mechanic to worry about the machine, and all you have to worry about is the racing.
A. Yes, sure. He knows it from experience and maybe I know it. Pele is a very good mechanic and he also helps with my attitude before the race.
Q. What do you do to prepare for a race?
A. Everything that I can. I walk the track and look for a special way to get into first place from the starting gate.
Q. Did you do much training this winter to keep your condition good?
A. Yes, in February and March I exercise
A. Yes, with the big motor. DeCoster was second and Aberg third, two times.
Q. Then you got the smaller 360 and that was better?
A. Yes, at Prerov, Czechoslovakia, the same bike we have today. I had the first 360.
Q. The last year, 1973, you rode the 250 class and finished third behind Hakan Andersson and Ad Weil.
A. Yes, that's right.
Q. Why did you change from the 250 class to the 500 class for this year?
A. Well, it's because the factory wanted me to change, no problem. I think they wanted me to change because we needed a good finish in the 500. Last year, we did poorly in the 500 and now next year we will sell more 500 bikes. They needed someone in 500 to make a good finish. Arne and Brad are OK, they are sometimes very good, maybe not consistent.
Q. Do you think it's necessary for Husqvarna to win championship races?
A. Yes, we have to win some championship races, maybe not all the rounds, but it's necessary to do well.
Q. Well, that's been happening. Husqvarna can sell many motorcycles next year.
A. I think so. Next year everybody will be on a Husqvarna.
Q. There have been some problems. In '71 and '72 and last year were not too good for Husqvarna.
A. You know, every motorcycle has problems. And that is true for Husqvarna too. Last year it was Yamaha and Suzuki, but now Yamaha is nothing. Not only the motorcycle but the drivers too. In 250, Hakan Andersson was hurt and couldn't race, and in the 500 class, Van Velthoven had some problems and Ake Jonsson had problems, but everybody said that the motorcycle was bad because of the poor results. But now it's OK, Husqvarna had a good season and it's a good bike.
Q. How long has Pele, Per-Olaf Persson been your mechanic?
A. Exactly two years. He started in Czechoslovakia.
Q. He's very good, isn't he?
A. Yes, the best mechanic in the world. He knows everything because he raced for 17 years.
Q. It's much better when you have a mechanic to worry about the machine, and all you have to worry about is the racing.
A. Yes, sure. He knows it from experience and maybe I know it. Pele is a very good mechanic and he also helps with my attitude before the race.
Q. What do you do to prepare for a race?
A. Everything that I can. I walk the track and look for a special way to get into first place from the starting gate.
Q. Did you do much training this winter to keep your condition good?
A. Yes, in February and March I exercise
10 times a week.
Q. What do you do?
A. Running, physical training and training with motorcycles.
Q. Do you lift weights?
A. Yes, and circle training in the gymnasium. You know in the winter time I train every day, but Saturday is rest because Sunday is race day. February and March in Belgium, before the Grand Prix, every Sunday is race day. This year I had 10 races before the Belgium Grand Prix. Normally I have 11, but I missed one race because I have a problem with my elbow and I fell out.
Q. Do you travel back to Finland every week?
A. No, I stay in Belgium three-and-a-half months, but my manager stays home in Beringen.
Q. Is it important to have a manager?
A. Yes, not only to get contracts for the best races, but I have no time for writing and looking better, and I do not speak Flemish and he can telephone and get contracts ready so easy.
Q. And that way you are sure of having one race each week?
A. Yes, every Sunday. And sometimes in the week also. I have possible many more races, maybe, but I do not like weektimes ones. Every Sunday before the Grand Prix, then it's nearly too much.
Q. Do you have contracts for products, for boots and oil?
A. Yes, Castrol oil, Roger DeCoster boots, Champion spark plugs, Koho leathers from Finland and maybe one more.
Q. So you get a little money from each contract?
A. Not so much contract money, but a little bonus money for good results is coming in the mail in Finland. It's not such fantastic money but it's better than nothing.
Q. But for most riders, does the big money come from the factory contract?
A. Yes, I had a contract from the boot factory in Italy but I had to race every Sunday with his shirt. I say I cannot do it. Then, OK I say, I can do it but you must pay more than Husqvarna pays for me. But he didn't ask how much he should pay.
Q. Do you like to travel to America during the Trans-AMA?
A. No, at exactly that time I like to stop motocross, take a rest. Maybe a couple of races, two or three, but no more.
Q. Do you see a difference between Europe and America in the organization of the races or the tracks?
A. No, not the tracks. Because every track is different. You have not two tracks the same. One problem is Sunday morning, you like to go to the track, but it's too much trouble. You need to go early, so you wake at six o'clock, seven o'clock you start out for the track because maybe you get there by 9 a.m. - there's too much traffic and it might take a couple of hours. Too many people and everybody tries to park in the same place. I like American races. They have good organization, no problems, but I don't like this start number system where he takes
Q. What do you do?
A. Running, physical training and training with motorcycles.
Q. Do you lift weights?
A. Yes, and circle training in the gymnasium. You know in the winter time I train every day, but Saturday is rest because Sunday is race day. February and March in Belgium, before the Grand Prix, every Sunday is race day. This year I had 10 races before the Belgium Grand Prix. Normally I have 11, but I missed one race because I have a problem with my elbow and I fell out.
Q. Do you travel back to Finland every week?
A. No, I stay in Belgium three-and-a-half months, but my manager stays home in Beringen.
Q. Is it important to have a manager?
A. Yes, not only to get contracts for the best races, but I have no time for writing and looking better, and I do not speak Flemish and he can telephone and get contracts ready so easy.
Q. And that way you are sure of having one race each week?
A. Yes, every Sunday. And sometimes in the week also. I have possible many more races, maybe, but I do not like weektimes ones. Every Sunday before the Grand Prix, then it's nearly too much.
Q. Do you have contracts for products, for boots and oil?
A. Yes, Castrol oil, Roger DeCoster boots, Champion spark plugs, Koho leathers from Finland and maybe one more.
Q. So you get a little money from each contract?
A. Not so much contract money, but a little bonus money for good results is coming in the mail in Finland. It's not such fantastic money but it's better than nothing.
Q. But for most riders, does the big money come from the factory contract?
A. Yes, I had a contract from the boot factory in Italy but I had to race every Sunday with his shirt. I say I cannot do it. Then, OK I say, I can do it but you must pay more than Husqvarna pays for me. But he didn't ask how much he should pay.
Q. Do you like to travel to America during the Trans-AMA?
A. No, at exactly that time I like to stop motocross, take a rest. Maybe a couple of races, two or three, but no more.
Q. Do you see a difference between Europe and America in the organization of the races or the tracks?
A. No, not the tracks. Because every track is different. You have not two tracks the same. One problem is Sunday morning, you like to go to the track, but it's too much trouble. You need to go early, so you wake at six o'clock, seven o'clock you start out for the track because maybe you get there by 9 a.m. - there's too much traffic and it might take a couple of hours. Too many people and everybody tries to park in the same place. I like American races. They have good organization, no problems, but I don't like this start number system where he takes
a number out of a hat.
Q. Why do you think there are so many better motocross racers in Europe than in the United States?
A. It's a long time coming, but now there are as many good drivers in America as there are from Europe. Because in America motocross drivers can start so easily. Normally every boy's papa has much money and he can easily buy a motorcycle for a young boy of 14 or 15, but after only two years he thinks that's too easy and he thinks he doesn't need to work so much. Normally papa and mama are helping him out, and he only does it for a little fun - not because he's really interested. Many boys start just for the fun of it. So all right, maybe I went into motocross because my friend went into it also, something like that. But I wasn't really interested either.
Q. But there are some dedicated American riders. Don't you think Brad Lackey is fully interested in motocross?
A. Yes, but it is necessary to practise more. Brad is very much interested in motocross but not very interested in physical training.
Q. He says he never gets tired.
A. Yes, he says that. But he doesn't know when he is tired. He is young now and is having fun riding. When you're riding for fun you can drive very fast. But I am not driving for fun, now it's my business. When I am not in good physical shape, I can't possibly go fast. I need to keep fit all the time.
Q. Do you train between Grands Prix during the week?
A. Tuesday, I go home to train and I train Tuesday and Wednesday - not with a motorcycle but in physical training.
Q. What do you do during the season?
A. Running, training, everything, but I like it. I love going outside and running for one hour. Maybe nothing helps, but I feel better.
Q. How far do you run?
A. Maybe 10 kilometers, sometimes 15 if I feel good. I have one spot, maybe two kilometers long, around one small road in the woods that's very soft, and it's good training ground for your legs.
Q. Do you feel stronger today at age 29 than you did, say, two years ago?
A. Yes, I don't get so tired.
Q. What do you think are a motocross rider's best years?
A. That's very difficult to say because it depends on what time that man starts to motocross. But normally I think it's 26 to 32, something like that. But maybe you get started late in motocross and possibly go to 35, like Ad Weil. All the time you grow older and older and you grow more intelligent.
Q. Why do you think there are so many better motocross racers in Europe than in the United States?
A. It's a long time coming, but now there are as many good drivers in America as there are from Europe. Because in America motocross drivers can start so easily. Normally every boy's papa has much money and he can easily buy a motorcycle for a young boy of 14 or 15, but after only two years he thinks that's too easy and he thinks he doesn't need to work so much. Normally papa and mama are helping him out, and he only does it for a little fun - not because he's really interested. Many boys start just for the fun of it. So all right, maybe I went into motocross because my friend went into it also, something like that. But I wasn't really interested either.
Q. But there are some dedicated American riders. Don't you think Brad Lackey is fully interested in motocross?
A. Yes, but it is necessary to practise more. Brad is very much interested in motocross but not very interested in physical training.
Q. He says he never gets tired.
A. Yes, he says that. But he doesn't know when he is tired. He is young now and is having fun riding. When you're riding for fun you can drive very fast. But I am not driving for fun, now it's my business. When I am not in good physical shape, I can't possibly go fast. I need to keep fit all the time.
Q. Do you train between Grands Prix during the week?
A. Tuesday, I go home to train and I train Tuesday and Wednesday - not with a motorcycle but in physical training.
Q. What do you do during the season?
A. Running, training, everything, but I like it. I love going outside and running for one hour. Maybe nothing helps, but I feel better.
Q. How far do you run?
A. Maybe 10 kilometers, sometimes 15 if I feel good. I have one spot, maybe two kilometers long, around one small road in the woods that's very soft, and it's good training ground for your legs.
Q. Do you feel stronger today at age 29 than you did, say, two years ago?
A. Yes, I don't get so tired.
Q. What do you think are a motocross rider's best years?
A. That's very difficult to say because it depends on what time that man starts to motocross. But normally I think it's 26 to 32, something like that. But maybe you get started late in motocross and possibly go to 35, like Ad Weil. All the time you grow older and older and you grow more intelligent.