AcadianaRacing.com

October '10 Interview with Texas' Bryan Vaughan
By Lucas Comeaux

Bryan Vaughan, from Pittsburg, TX is a multi-time Arkansas Hare Scramble Series Champion, was part of a top elite team (House of Horsepower) at the Perry Mountain 24-Hour Challenge, was the overall winner of the '10 LACC Series Round 4 - The Big 8 in Dubach, Louisiana and more. We took a few minutes to find out more about Vaughan...read on:

Racing Highlights:
2010- 1^st place overall at The Big 8 (LACC Series)
Perry Mountain 24 Hour-Team House of Horsepower 3^rd Overall
Currently 1st overall AHSCS

2009-2^nd Overall AHSCS (broke ankle during season)
Perry Mountain 24 Hour-Team House of Horsepower 3^rd Overall
Team Green Rider

2008-AA/Overall AHSCS State Champion
AMA National Hare Scramble East-West Shootout 4^th Overall
Team Green Rider

2007-AA/Overall AHSCS State Champion
Longhorn National Enduro Open A 3^rd Red Bull Last Man Standing
Team Green Rider

2006-AA/Overall AHSCS State Champion & Rider of the Year
          OMA Nationals Open A 2^nd place
          Wildcat Ranch Almosta Race-Benefit Downed Riders 1^st
          Red Bull Last Man Standing

2005-Open A AHSCS State Champion
          Red Bull Last Man Standing 24^th out of 120
          TCCRA 125/200 Expert 6^th Overall (min races due to AHSCS)
          Enduro in The Park-EnduroCross @ Frisco Tx 2^nd
          OMA National @ Cooperland 1^st

2004-TCCRA 125/200 Intermediate State Champion

Vaughan at The Big 8 - Photo by Mandy Comeaux

Out of the 3 LACC Series rounds that Vaughan attended in '09 he finished 2nd Overall at two of them. He came back over to LA for another few rounds in 2010 and grabbed the overall victory at Round 4, The Big 8 - his thoughts:

It felt great to win round 4. I have been waiting for an LACC win for over a year. Dad, my girlfriend, and I drove down Saturday for practice, after one lap I knew if I was going to win one this would be it. Sunday I got a 2^nd place start behind Sturges, worked my way into first by the end of the 1^st lap. I tried to extend my lead as far as possible, because I knew Trampas would be charging. Trampas and Cheyenne caught up while I was in the pits. But I was able to pass both of them on the hillclimb. On the last lap I just charged as hard as possible and put in a really good lap. My Warren Drilling, Moose Racing KTM 250 felt great all weekend. This race gave me a big confidence boost; it was a long time coming.

[Left: Vaughan describing how his day went and thanking his sponsors on the podium at LACC Series Round 4 with Cheyenne Harmon & Trampas Parker.]

[Right: Vaughan led 6 of the 7 laps at the hilly Round 4 of the LA Cross-Country Series. When he stopped for gas one lap both Cheyenne Harmon and Trampas Parker got by.

He then impressively passed both at the same time on the optional hillclimb to get back into the lead and took the win by around 45 seconds.]

Vaughan at The Big 8 - Photo by Mandy Comeaux

How'd you first get into racing?

Mom and Dad raced throughout the 80’s (Louisiana Hare Scrambles, Sabine Enduro Circuit & TCCRA) so I was born into a racing family. I got my first bike for Christmas when I was 5 years old, it was a pw50. My first race was at Cycleland Family Park the following spring. I spent my childhood racing in different off road series, primarily TCCRA and TORO with Dad until he retired from riding in 2003. So here I am racing regional events in the arklatex and what national races I can.

You seem to be one of the most fit racers – always pushing until the end. What do you do for training, how do you find the time?

Racing, training and school is a tough combination. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the summer off from school and move in with Brad and Carrie Warren. So here is a rough layout of my summer training and also what I do to train while I'm in school. My main goal is trying to juggle school or work and riding. Try to ride as much as possible, work on core and cardio. If you make a schedule you can have time for riding, school, gym, and family.

During the summer I had a part time job but was able to ride at least twice a week with Brad Warren and Scott Hopkins. Scott also introduced me to serious mountain and road biking. I feel that road and mountain biking is key in off road racing. I did not get to spend much time in the gym this summer and focused more on seat time and cardio. While I'm in school my training differs and it goes to more gym work because of my limited riding areas near my school. so I go to the gym at least three times a week and do cardio (running, biking, etc.). I do core work also and some lower body exercises while in the gym, limiting my upper body workouts, mainly because of arm pump issues.

[Above: Vaughan finished 2nd Overall and collected a nice pile of cash at Desoto Motorsports Park '10 Cross-Country summer race - over $2,000 up for grabs]

Ok tell us about the tight points battle with Zach Ingram for the Arkansas championship. Will we be seeing the #1 on your bike next year?
The points battle between Zach and I has been pretty tight this season, and it is coming down to the last race. It has been exciting having the championship playing out to the end. This same thing happened in 2004 when I won my first championship in TCCRA, down to the last race, last lap. I am preparing myself both physically and mentally to bring back the #1 plate.

Speaking of next year which series are you planning on running?
I'm not locked into running all of one or the other yet. Just maybe, I can contend both LACC and AHSCS for the championships in 2011. I definitely will be attending more LACC this coming year, along with some local Texas races and a few nationals thrown in. The National Enduro in Arkansas will be a great opportunity also.

Are you planning on attending The Off-Road Cup 9-hr team race next March and do you think 2 other Arkansas riders would be interested in representing that series with you?
I think The Off-Road Cup is a great idea and that it will definitely show where the best riders are. There is no set Arkansas team as of now, but I'm sure we will have one together soon.

Out of all the places you’ve raced what’s your favorite and why?
I'm pretty much happy no matter what the track conditions are, I just love to be on the bike! But the LACC Big 8 was superb riding conditions, I have to say it is one of the best places I raced locally . The layout was great, technical with open areas for blowing it out. Some of the national type races has some memories also such as the first Red Bull Last Man Standing and the OMA's Moose Run for being difficult with a lot of endurance thrown in.

Favorite movies, music, etc.?
My favorite movies are Joe Dirt, and Lone Star State of Mind. I listen to almost any kind of music, but lately it has been Lil Wayne, Sublime and the Far East Movement.

Thanks for taking the time, we’ll let you get back to the busy schedule - anyone you want to thank?
Your welcome. I would like to thank Brad & Carrie Warren and the whole Full Circle Racing Team for all their help and support this season. Also Moose Racing for being there since the beginning, Randy@HHOC, Patrick with Rekluse, Shoei, Vertex Pistons, Dunlop, House of Horsepower, Smith Optics, DP Brakes, FMF, Pivot Works, Ricochet Off-Road, IMS, Ronnie@Maxima, V-Force, System Tech Racing, and Flying Clipper Footbags. To my mom, dad(turning wrenches for 11+years) and girlfriend for their continued support of my racing career.
Thank you & the LACC staff for all your help the last two years, it is much appreciated.

Thanks and good luck Bryan! Video and More Pictures Below:
-Vaughan featured at the beginning of The Big 8 Video (starting at 1:30), we recommend changing to HD mode: