“What’s it take to give a good interview?”
“Bravery” I replied.
The young racer seemed confused.
Let me explain.
“You’ll take just as much of a beating entering turn one
too fast, as saying the wrong thing to the press.”
Not every racer wants to risk it.
Some have too much on their plate as it is.
Or maybe they’re scared about what people might think.
I dunno…
My job is to dig for a story that goes with the pictures.
You know, like in that Jamey Johnson song ‘In Color.’
No one knows what it’s like until we capture the words.
Just like the Wild West: people remember a good story.
Their lives would be dust in the wind if we didn’t write them down.
Well he trusts me.
He ain’t afraid either.Nothing like fumbling in the dark for your buzzing cell phone.
I knocked over half the stuff on my nightstand.
“Sorry, to call ya back so late Michael.”
There was a rhythmic clanking noise in the background.
His breathing was very controlled.
He exhaled after he answered each of my questions.
Where are you calling from?
Henry Wiles squeezed out,
“I’m at the gym.
Daytona is only a few months away.
You know, working all day is no excuse in my book.
Ya gotta want it to get it:
I know my dream requires sacrifice.”Another glimpse behind the curtain came
at the press room at Daytona post race.
A lot of journalists were there to
question the three riders who finished on the podium.
The mainstream writers
expected that wild biker image.
Daytona is known for its night life after all.
They asked Wiles, “heading downtown to blow off steam on Main Street?”
Thinking he paused,
‘Well…I was thinking about getting some fried food.
I haven’t had any for six months’.
The mainstream journalists seemed confused.
Us flat track journos looked down at our notepads and smirked.
This was classic Henry.Wiles later laughed telling me
“we might be racers but really we’re entertainers.”
That “It’s not easy or everybody would do it.”
How you’ve got be dedicated and motivated.
Half-assing won’t cut it at this level.
Got to be fit and be ready.
Look at some of the new guys in the class-do they look in shape?
That’s why they get hurt.
They get tired and make mistakes.
They are reaching for something that ain’t there.
You got to give it your all or just go home.
Wiles pulls his helmet down and spins up the starter.
The bike burst to life.
He grabs the bars and throws a leg over,
drops the clutch and takes off.
Practice.
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Great Article ! It’s a vivid painting. In the hands of Mike Lawless, these aren’t just cycle stories. They’re portraits of ingenuity, of American spirit, the spirit that unites us coast-to-coast and country-to-country. Kudos to the stylish Vintagent as well for this beautifully written journey.
Wynne Alexander