Road Race Spotlight: Jodi Christie Oct4/08

There is no doubt that Jodi Christie has burst onto the Canadian motorcycle road-racing scene in a big way. The perennially smiling Christie has made his presence well known in 2008, with a long string of wins and track records in this year’s version of the R.A.C.E SuperSeries as well as setting track records in the Parts Canada Superbike National Series at Calabogie, Shubenacadie and Shannonville. In regional competition, the likeable 16-year-old Keene Ontario rider had eight race wins, nine podiums and set four lap records. In National competition he scored three wins, finished on the podium five times, took pole position six times and set an unprecedented three national records. With an easy going nature and a maturity well beyond his sixteen years, Christie handily won the regional Am 600 and Am Superbike season championship and was the National Am 600 champ. Christie, just off a successful tryout at the Red Bull Rookies Cup in Barber Motorsports Park, where he made the final cut in a group of North America’s most talented young motorcycle racers, took some time from his busy schedule to talk with us.

How did you get involved in motorcycle racing?
I guess you can blame my dad, he has been around bikes since he was a kid, dirt, ice, street, there were always bikes around his whole life, he brought my older sisters dirt bikes as they were growing up. He raced dirt bikes but never came to the pavement until 10 years ago. I met a lot of people at the track when I was young, some I will race against next year in the pro ranks.

Tell me about your first bike? Tell me about your first race?
My dad brought home a PW50 that I ended up riding around the fields in Keene, when I was 6. I went to my first local club race where I came in 4th against KTM50’s, my dad then said we better get a KTM50 before you break the PW in half jumping it. I really enjoyed it, I wanted to race all the time so we did, harescrambles, motocross, small supercross tracks at fairgrounds, anything we could find.

You have decimated the record books in both Am Superbike and Am 600. What makes Jodi Christie so fast?
Well all the records are not mine but I did my best to put a dent in a few, as far as being fast I believe it has to do with a few things, before I go out for my qualifying session or race I have a calm down session with some music in the trailer, just getting myself centered, once I am on the track I work on staying smooth, focused, find my rhythm, and remember that I am out to have fun. When I am riding through a fast lap on my R6 I usually feel all these things and I try to stay consistent with my laps, I work hard at concentrating on cornering, trying to hit all my apex’s perfectly. Cornering is obviously the key, getting in and out quick; anyone can get on the gas hard in a straight line.

What is your favorite music?
I listen to mostly everything. Soft stuff like Jack Johnson or loud like Disturbed, depends on the day.

What is your favorite track?
In the USA its Barber Motorsports Park, It has lots of great corners, elevation changes, and great runoff as well. In Canada it would be Calabogie.

What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The entire season this year, winning the 600 and the Superbike class in the RACE Series, and the National Championships in 600, I never thought I would win 3 number 1 plates in my first serious year roadracing.

You have recently had some outings on a 125 GP bike. What adjustments have you had to make?
I found the 125 a great bike to ride, the biggest adjustment would be how little you have to brake, and the speed that you carry through the corners. Switching back and forth from a 125 to a 600 I found out how heavy the 600 really is.

Tell me about your Red Bull experience. How did that all transpire?
The Red Bull selection event was an amazing experience. We had put some thought into it at the Mosport National talking with Stuart Nodell. We began by submitting the online form and got accepted to be one of 117 out of over 400 applicants to go to Barber to try out. The people at KTM and Red Bull were fantastic. The amount of effort that goes into the series was phenomenal, Bikes prepped to go, so many young fast riders and a breathtaking track. We made the final cut for the Monday tryout and we are now waiting to hear who makes the team.

What was your worst moment in racing?
The last Round of the nationals, most should know why, but for those who don’t, lap 12, tuck the front at high speed coming up on some lapped riders, watching the bike tumble, running to the bike, give it a quick check over then trying to get back out on the track with the bike stuck in 3rd gear. The race was over and they had us all stopped at the fence and I could not look at anyone, then my dad came and said I had won the championship. Its one crash I probably will never forget.

You have a lot of doors opening up for you now. Which one would you most like to step through next season?
As of now we have had no offers of a ride for the 2009 season although we realize it is early in the season for Canadian teams to make up their mind, there are only so many spots available and no one seems to be stepping down to make room for the young riders.
There are many in line before me and we are grateful for any and all the help we have received to date. We will look at our options if no one comes forward, we have given some thought to the USGPRU series, also I think we have shown that we can run a race team. We had some backing this year but is was mostly my dad’s financing and Jim Brooks donating a lot of time, obviously we would need more help stepping up to the pro ranks to be competitive.

You have gotten quite used to running up front in the amateur ranks. Are you prepared to start all over again in the Pro ranks and work your way up again? What is the most important thing you can do to accomplish that?
I can’t wait to get into the pro ranks, I am sure to learn more running with pros. I am excited to expand my learning curve. Going into the 2009 season I will have to be in shape for longer races, and work hard for my position in the race.

Who were/are your motorcycle racing heroes?
Since I was a small boy watching the races I looked up to Steve Crevier, Nicky Hayden and Kevin Lacombe.

Who would you like to thank for support?
Mechanic Jim Brooks, Pro 6 Cycle, Hindle, Kimpex, Yamaha Canada,
CCH Industrial, Mimic Bodywork, Accelerated Technologies, Bickle Racing, Podium Grafix, Electric Lift Truck Company, Giro Eyewear