A few weeks ago I had the chance to interview some pro motocross racers. One of the interviews I did was with #5 Ryan Dungey.
Ryan Dungey was born December 4, 1989 in Minnesota. Ryan, his Dad and two brothers were all amateur racers in District 36 races. In 2005 Ryan won the Loretta Lynn National Championship and in 2006 he started riding for Team Suzuki. 2007 Ryan was awarded Rookie of the Year and has continued to win races ever since with both Supercross and Motocross Championships.
I have had several chances over the years to meet Ryan Dungey and he has always been so awesome! Back when I was racing in Washougal and I had my accident my face looked like a mess. When Ryan saw me he came over to ask me what had happened. I explained I crashed the night before my race but that I raced the next morning and finished in second place and he immediately took his riding gloves off, signed them and gave them to me.
I have seen him interact with many people over the years and he always goes out of his way for his fans. Every time I see him he always takes time to stop, listen to what I say to him, and look at whatever I bring to show him.
It was so awesome that he took the time to stop what he was doing to answer some questions I had for him.
71: How did you first get started riding a dirt bike?
5: I first got started riding dirt bikes with my Dad, he did it growing up all his life. When I was about 5 years old he went and got us our first one…Me and my other brother Jade who was 7 at the time, we shared a bike in the beginning.
71: What advice would you give kids like me that want to be where you are one day?
5: I would just say to have fun. I saw it on TV at a young age and I guess I always hoped my dream would come true. Until that point I worked really hard, I had fun, and I enjoyed riding and that lead me to learn no things on a dirt bike. I tried to improve my skills and I just loved riding in general and I think that will take you there if you want to do it bad enough.
71:What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
5: I guess away from the dirt bike I like to kinda hang out with friends, wake board, and have fun and golf..
-They let you wake board?
5: Yeah, I mean I don’t tell them I’m going… ha, ha I think everyone sees me at the track and I am really serious and away from it they would be shocked to see me having fun, I like to have fun too.
71: What is your least favorite track?
5: I don’t really have a least favorite track but if I had to pick one I would say Elsinore California. It’s not bad but it gets really really hard. It gets hard packed and I like more loamier…if I had to pick, but I don’t necessary have a bad track.
71: Do you like outdoor or indoor better?
5: I’m about 50/50. I like Supercross because it is newer and I didn’t get to do it growing up as a kid, so for me it is a little different of a challenge and it was a different learning curve when I started. Motocross I have done more so it is good to get done with Supercross and get back to the roots of where we really started.
71: Do you have any tattoos?
5: I have no tattoos and I don’t plan on getting any.
71: Have you ever had a regular job?
5: Growing up as a kid I worked with my Dad in the summer. We poured concrete and construction work so a lot of labor and a lot of hard work and I think my Dad taught me a good work ethic.
71: If you didn’t race dirt bikes what would you be doing?
5: Maybe be pouring concrete. I don’t know I always dreamed that if I didn’t race maybe a business, I really don’t know but I am really glad motocross worked out.
71: That’s it Thank you.
5: Thank you Bud, nice to meet you!
Video of the interview:
Thank you Ryan Dungey for your time!
CROSS 71 - HUNTER CROSS 