"An interview with Mickey Kessler"

ACR: What was your first motorcycle?
MK: 1965 Honda Step -Through 90.

ACR: What was your first race experience?
MK: Rode enduros at age 15 and did well.

ACR: Name your five favorite tracks.
MK: Gainesville, FL(in the 70's),Fogelsville PA., Southwick, Unadilla, Hangtown (in the 70's).

ACR: What was your favorite race of all time?
MK: Mini bike race at Raceway Park with Billy Liles.

ACR: What was your favorite MX bike?
MK: 1985 Honda CR250

ACR: Who was your heroes or idols growing up?
MK: Decoster, Mikkola, and Lackey.

ACR: What are you up too today?
MK: Own & Operate a motorcycle suspension service KPS. Also race dirt modifieds and coaching my son Dakota at MX racing, car racing and whatever else he wants to do.

ACR: What's your current bikes owned or ridden today?
MK: 1993 Honda CR250

ACR: Do you still ride and/or race?
MK: Ride with Dakota. I'm done racing bikes.

ACR: Who was your most feared rival?
MK: John Savitski

ACR: What do you think of today's current crop of riders?
MK: There is a big crop of talented riders but few stand out, maybe because they are all so good.

ACR: Who was the most influential person in your life?
MK: Ralph Bernstien from J&R Cycle and my parents.

ACR: Name your favorite movie of all time.
MK: The first Rocky.

ACR: Name your favorite food.
MK: Mexican

ACR: What do you think of the current Supercross series?
MK: The SX series is an excellent series. It is TV that is making the sport grow and indoor racing allows that to happen. It is very hard for local riders to share in the lime light so hopefully outdoor racing will survive.

ACR: What do you think of the AMA allowing 400cc 4-strokes to run in the 250 Class?
MK: It's okay until there are enough of them to race by themselves. Then they should bring back the open class.

ACR: Who do you think is the greatest Motocross rider of all time?
MK: Bob Hannah

ACR: Anything you'd like to say in parting?
MK: Supercross and Motocross should be separated more somehow. By the name, the tracks maybe even the style of bikes. Motocross. Freestyle jumping should not have the word Motocross in it at all.

About Mickey Kessler

Mickey Kessler is a familiar name to anyone in the northeast who followed motocross in the early 70's to late 80's. Mickey began racing motocross in the early 70's & turned expert after only 7 amateur races in 1973. He then turned pro after a highly successful expert career in district 6. He headed out in 1974 as number 74v and earned enough points in his first season to earn national #65. His early success led to a factory support ride for Husky for the 1975 season where he competed in the 125cc class finishing 7th overall for the year while earning national #16. The following year he got a full factory ride from Kawasaki and again contested the 125cc class while earning national #18.The '77 season brought a ride from the Spanish factory Montesa. Just one of many rides which included Honda, Yamaha, Husky, Montesa, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Maico. Mickey rode and maintained a national number all the way to 1990 an astounding 15 years. He also won the 500cc support class at the 1986 Unadilla USGP at the age of 31 when many of his peers were long since retired.The 45 year old Kessler currently owns and operates Kessler Pro Suspension in Farmingdale, NJ and can be seen most race days at Raceway Park helping today's riders with technical support out of his KPS box van.