"An Interview with Jeff Hicks"

ACR: What was your first motorcycle?
JH:  1970 Benelli Bronco, then '72 Honda Mini-Trail,'72 Suzuki TS185,'75 TM100.

ACR: What was your first race experience like?
JH: I spent the summer of '74 helping my older brother at the races & practicing on my '72 TS185.We had a practice track in the neighbor's field. We called it THE TRACK. I put in quite a few laps at the track in the summer of '74 but no races that year, not ready (not allowed to race yet). My first race came in April of '75.Unbelievable how much better the TM handled then the TS. I won the first moto of the first race I entered. There was 4 inches of powder dust & I got the holeshot. Near the end of the moto 2nd gear started to go out but with all the dust I stayed in front for the win. Got third the 2nd moto & the overall for the day. It was at Buckeye Raceway in northeast Ohio. It was a pretty big deal for me, even though there was only 12 riders in the class that day.

ACR: Name your 5 favorite tracks.
JH:  1. Moto Sport Trails- Malvern, OH.
2. High-Point Raceway- Morgantown, WV.
3. Washougal Raceway-Washougal, WA.
4. Mammoth Motocross- Mammoth Lakes, CA.
5. Daytona Supercross-Daytona, FL.

ACR: What was your favorite race of all time?
JH: My favorite race year in & year out was the National at High Point.

ACR: What was your favorite MX bike?
JH: 1985 Honda CR250. I'm sure I had as much horsepower as the works bikes.

ACR: Who was your heroes or idols growing up?
JH:  No one.

ACR: What are you up too today?
JH: I have a little construction company in Boise, Idaho. Spend most of my spare time working on my golf game.

ACR: What's your current bikes owned and/or ridden today?
JH:  Just sold my YZ400F today. Also own a Yamaha Royal Star road bike.

ACR: Do you still ride & or race today?
JH:  A little riding no racing.

ACR: Who was your most feared rival?
JH:  Jim Holley & Ross Pederson.

ACR: What do you think of today's current crop of riders?
JH: I'm a little out of touch but for the most part I think the competition is not as deep as it was in the 80's & early 90's.

ACR: Who was the most influential person(s) in your life?
JH: Both of my parents.

ACR: Name your favorite movie of all time.
JH: High Plains Drifter or Rounders.

ACR: Name your favorite food.
JH:  Italian or Mexican.

ACR: What do you think of the current SX series?
JH: I think the series is doing really well. The TV coverage has really helped get more people out to the races. I think the promoters are probably still a little tight with the $$$. I think it is good that there seems to be more outside industry interest in the sport & it gives more riders a chance to make some decent $$$.

ACR: What do you think of the AMA allowing 400cc 4-strokes to
run in the 250 class?
JH: I think the 4 Strokes should have their own class & that class should be part of the program at all of the SXs & Nationals.

ACR: Who do you think is the greatest MX rider of all time?
JH:  Bob Hannah but he is the worst golfer I have ever seen!

ACR: Anything you'd like to say in parting?
JH: I miss the starting line & the first turn adrenaline rush.

About Jeff Hicks

Born in Punxsutawney, PA. yes home of the famous groundhog, Jeff moved at a very young age to Atwater in northeast Ohio. He followed in his brothers footsteps & graduated to racing in 1975 on a Suzuki TM100 scoring a 1st overall in his very first outing. Jeff rapidly progressed & turned Pro in 1978 riding as a privateer on a 1978 Suzuki RM125 finishing 21st in the 125cc nationals. Cutting his teeth as a privateer he finally got the break he was working for in 1980 when Keystone a PA. hopup shop sponsored him on a Yamaha 250 for the 250 nationals & the highly competitive SX series. In '82 he progressed to a factory support ride for Team Yamaha. Along the way this hardworking Ohioan befriended one of America's best Bob Hannah who was instrumental in helping pull together support for Jeff for the '83 thru '86 seasons aboard a Pro Circuit/Hannah supported ride where Jeff had many spirited rides earning many low national numbers but just missed breaking into the factory big time. He continued to compete until 1989. Jeff currently lives & works building custom homes in Eagle, Idaho just outside of Boise. He lives there with his 13 week old puppy Skyler & while he wasn't able to beat him in motocross he currently enjoys tormenting Hannah on the golf course as well as riding his Yamaha road bike & occasional bird hunting forays with good friend Buckwheat.