Shop Talk......With Sean Hackley

Sean Hackley has had a rough start to his pro career after being the dubbed “Disney” wonder kid and showing tons of promise on mini bikes. We remember not so long ago when Sean, still on his 85, jumped a huge uphill triple at a race that not even the Pro's jumped that day! His transition into the big leagues has been mired with injuries and set backs. Sean still jumps like a kangaroo, and exhibits skills on a motorcycle to be jealous of. We spoke with Sean to see what his plans were for 2009

Sean, what have you been up to since the nationals?

Since the nationals I really have been just riding, I haven’t stopped riding yet or anything and still been training. Just trying to put in the work I missed out on last year with my injury.

Can you elaborate a little on your injury?

Last year before Supercross I had a concussion, I think it was the day before Houston Supercross I was going to fly out and watch it but I crashed. But I came back for Dallas Supercross, I raced Dallas, then Detroit. After that I came out for Hangtown, and in practice I ended up crashing again and getting another concussion and that pretty much put me out the rest of the year.

You certainly can’t take too much time for that…

No.

We saw you at a race this weekend at Cycle Ranch, despite some bad luck (a blown clutch Open moto 1, and a first turn wreck Open moto 2), you looked really strong. What were your thoughts on the track and that race in general?

The track is really good, I always like Cycle Ranch they have some good dirt there. The track is pretty fast but it still has a good layout and has lots of natural terrain too, which is good because we don’t have too much of that in Texas. The race was good it was a little bit smaller than usual with the pros. I barely think we had but 20. It was still pretty good, it was a fun race.

What are your plans for 2009 looking like?

As of right now I’m not too sure what we’re going to do we haven’t really planned too much yet. I’m not sure if I’m going to be doing Supercross, or if I am just going to wait until the outdoors and try to get a program together. Everything is still up in the air for that.

At the race we spoke briefly with you and you had mentioned the possibility of riding 450’s. As a privateer can you explain that decision, or the reasoning to make that decision for people who do not understand?

Yes. Definitely for outdoors, I want to be on the 450 if I am a privateer, just because riding a stock 250f like I did this year, against Pro Circuit, Amsoil, and guys like that, is not really apples for apples to where a 450 even if some have a mod 450, a stock 450 is pretty much just a fast. You don’t want to go too much faster than a stock 450. It’s better competition wise as well as financially.

Exactly. So serious question now, make sure you get it right. What gets more ladies, blitzing the whoops, or flying the triples?

Definitely the triples.

Definitely the triples?

Definitely the triples because I can do a little whip, look, you know make eye contact, and point at them, you know stuff like that [laughs].

What should get more ladies, blitzing the whoops, or flying the triples?

Definitely the whoops cause those things are scary!

[laughs] Awesome. Well thanks so much for your time Sean, is there anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to thank everyone who stuck behind me through my injury and the people who still believe in me. All my friends, the guys at Honda of Houston, the guys at MD Racing {edit…was not sure of this/who he said here) who also helped me out this year coming back.

Thanks to Alpinestars, LRG, Vans, Dunlop, Renthal, and anyone else I am forgetting!

Well thanks Sean….best of luck in 2009.

OH! And Joe Joe, definitely Joe Joe!

Joe Joe?!!?

Yes, Joe Joe for your Bow Bow!