Jerry is off to South Carolina for two months training - hope he stays on the CR Honda
June 24, 2013 ? Interview
If you spend any time trolling the forums or watching motocross videos, you've probably heard of Jerry Robin and his 1985 CR250R. He accomplished a feat unheard of. In a sport dominated by high dollar race bikes and half-million dollar haulers, Jerry came in and proved that it's not the equipment - it's the rider that wins races. Jerry took home 2 moto wins, one in 250B and one in Two Stroke, where he earned a 2nd overall and scored a coveted spot on the gate to Loretta Lynn's. We caught up with Jerry to find out just how he did it, and what his plan is for the weeks leading up to his trip to Tennessee. If you haven't seen the video, be sure to check the embed at the bottom of the interview.
Ok, so first things first, you are probably the only kid in this millennium to qualify for Loretta's aboard a mid-80's bike. How did that deal come together?
Well, it all started 6 years ago when we bought that bike. My dad actually bought it for himself and I always wanted to ride it. I started riding it and this year I really enjoyed riding it, so I started racing it. On my 125 the whole transmission went out of it so it was kind of like we have to race the CR. So that's basically why I'm riding it.
So you didn't really have a plan to race it before the season started then, huh?
No not at all, it's just how it played out I guess.
The local race scene is a pretty tight knit community so I'm sure a lot of your friends knew what was up, but did you get some weird looks when you showed up to qualifiers with it?
Oh yea definitely! People are pointing and laughing, stuff like that. All my friends have seen me ride it and kind of know what to expect. I went out there anyway and I had the fastest lap time of the day for a while, then Cody Williams and Benny Bloss turned faster lap times so I had the 3rd fastest lap time over practice day. So, that's cool.
What was going through your head when you were sitting on the line, especially when you knew you were in contention to make it in?
Well uh, I don't know I actually feel less pressure when I'm riding that bike for some reason. I just feel like I can go out there and ride. People can judge you I guess, but you feel better about yourself, or that's how it is for me.
So what's your story, how'd you get into racing?
Well I started racing and riding about the same time, about 10 years ago. My uncle got me into it, he was diagnosed with Esophagus Cancer and he rode, same as my Dad. My dad didn't really want his kids to ride, but my uncle Mark kept riding and he said that the only way he'd get to spend time with me is if I started riding dirt bikes. So that's how that started, he passed away 8 months later but he told me that I could go pro if that's what I wanted to do and I've kind of based my life off of that and am just going for it, you know?
Did you expect things to blow up like they did after making the cut at the Millville qualifier?
Oh no, not at all. Me and my dad were talking and he thought people would really like it but it blew up way more than expected. We've been getting emails, calls, all day and all night, just off the hook. It's wild for sure!
Have you gotten some calls from some potential new sponsors?
Oh yea, a lot of people for sure.
Any plans for the bike before Loretta's?
We are definitely going to do some work to it, we are trying to find new plastic and stuff like that, we're going to take it all apart and make it look really good for Loretta's.
What's your hopes for Loretta Lynn's? Are you hoping to follow up your regional performance at Loretta's?
I sure hope so man! I feel like I kind of have something to prove and hopefully I can make it happen and make 3 consistent motos.
Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us this morning bud, good luck and we'll see you next month at the Ranch!
Oh thank you man, thanks for wanting to do the interview!
