IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 2 FATHER & SON TEAMS

HERNANDEZ & SABO

HERNANDEZ Team Members: Gabriel Hernandez III (#29) and Gabriel Hernandez Jr. (dad)

SABO Team Members: Rayce Sabo (#99) and Craig Sabo (dad)

In this In The Spotlight, we feature two teams with the racer and father.

TEAM HERNANDEZ

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For this written version of ITS (there will be a video version later), Racer Gabriel Hernandez III (#29) = GHIII and Father Gabriel Hernandez Jr = GHJr.

Gabriel Hernandez III (#29)
Age: 9
Residence: Huntington Park, CA
Race craft: Honda NSF100
Manager & Crewchief: Gabriel Hernandez Jr.

Warm-up questions after M1GP Round 5 @ Willow Springs. July 11th, 2010

M1GP - What was your favorite race of the day?
GHIII - Um, my favorite race was the 65 (GP).
M1GP - Why? What did you like about it?
GHIII - I learned which turn was slippery because I crashed.

M1GP - Tell us about your crash.

GHIII - I was gonna high-side, but I saved it. I just like I was balancing over the bars kind of like a "Superman" balancing over it, and I let go and hit head first.
M1GP - Wow

In the background, one of GHIII's friends hits the trailer with a ball he's playing with.  Mr. Hernandez calls the kid by name, gives him an acknowledging look and the kids go play away from the trailer and we begin the interview.

M1GP - Thanks for joining us.  If you guys can start with your name and age...

GHIII - My name is Gabriel Hernandez III and I'm 10 years old.
GHJr. - You're 10?
GHIII - Well, I'm turning 10.
GHJr. - I'm Gabriel Hernandez Jr. and I'm 31.

M1GP - How did you guys get started in Mini Road Racing?

GHIII - Well we went to like a booth in the Long Beach Center?  And we just saw it and I told my dad I want to ride.  That's what happened.

M1GP - What bikes are you currently racing and how long are you planning to race these bikes?
GHIII - I ride an NSF100 and an XR50 when I just started.  I rode an NSR this year and a CRF50 with an 88 kit, and a pocket bike.
M1GP - And out of all those bikes, what's your favorite bike to ride?
GHIII - The NSF


M1GP - The NSF100 - what made you choose that bike over the NSR or other bikes available.
GHJr. - First of all, it was the styling of the bike. The bike looks real nice.  And also 4 stroke. Seems to be the way of the future, even though some people don't agree with it. Starting with Moriwakis how it used to be the RS125 and now the hot ticket seems to be the Moriwaki 250 so that's why we headed that direction.

M1GP - What challenges are you facing with your current season (either one of you can answer this)

GHJr. - The only thing I can think of now is the funding.  I know the economy is bad right now and funding seems to be kinda tough and after this it can only get even tougher as you get onto bigger bikes, costs start increasing, but hopefully the economy turns around and there'll be people willing to help us out and that's what we see right now - the economy, funding, but ... that's expected.  That's just a bump in the road right now. We're trying to overcome that anyway we can.  Whatever it takes, just to...for this little guy.

M1GP - What are your long-term goals for racing?
GHJr. - Do you want to answer that?
GHIII - To make it to MotoGP.  (he smiles) That's my main goal.
GHJr. - Yeah, basically our main goal is to get the championship in the NSF100 - see where we can stand in the 65 class.  And maybe next year, try and get an RS125 with a 150 motor in there.  Just try to work our way up to  the bigger bikes slowly.  I don't like to push him too hard.  So once he can ride that NSF100 to the limit, which I'm sure he's pretty close to that, we'll move him up to another bike.

M1GP - Do you have a preference over our 8-lap 2 heat vs. our 12-lap 1 heat format?  Which one do you like better?
GHIII - I actually like the 12 lap.

M1GP - Who's  your favorite MotoGP racer?
GHIII - Um, Nicky Hayden.
M1GP - Why?
GHIII - He's American. Well, I also like Ben Spies and Colin Edwards.
M1GP - But Nicky's your favorite?
GHIII - Yeah.

M1GP - Do you have a girlfriend?
GHIII - I used to (he smiles)

M1GP - (To GHIII) - what have you learned from your parents with this experience of racing motorcycles?
GHIII - Well, I don't know how to explain this, but I actually feel lucky that they even let me do this.
And it's just like...Like if you have a kid think about your money before you let your kid race. . (dad smiles)

M1GP - Yeah, a lot of people would say you're lucky, because a lot of kids don't get the opportunity to race.
Some of your schoolmates don't believe it's you in some photos, I understand.
GHIII - Yeah.  And they said "that's not you, it's a pro" and I'm like "Thank you".

M1GP - (To GHJr.) - What have you learned from your son that you may not have expected when you stated in this sport?
GHJr. - Work ethic.  His work ethic.  I try to see.  How can I put this.  When he practices, he doesn't push himself to the limit. ( I kind of like that because it saves parts and bikes.).  But when it gets down to the nitty gritty, he steps it up.  How can I put it.  His work ethic.
GHIII interjects - I'm lazy (smiles)
GHJr. - No he's not lazy.  It's just...his thing is, try and take it easy as much as he can...'til the last minute when he has to step it up.  I mean it's evident with his practice. When the race time comes, he'll drop 2 seconds on race day.

M1GP - Do you have any folks that are helping out at the moment what you'd like to thank?
GHIII - I'd like to say thanks to MotoYard, for like helping me after I crashed and all the things that they've done for us.  Shoei Helmets, Southbay MotoGP, M1GP, Donny Odom for helping us with the sponsors, to get the sponsors and my mom & dad.
GHJr. - And Mid-Cities Honda!
GHIII - Yeah, Mid-Cities Honda!
GHJr. - We really couldn't be where we're at without support from those people.
GHIII - Oh, and Tyler Odom Racing. Oh, I'd also like to thank Outlaw racing (no known website).

M1GP - Thank you both for sharing your time with In The Spotlight with M1GP.  See you guys at the track!

TEAM SABO

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For this written version of ITS (there will be a video version later), Racer Rayce Sabo (#99) = Rayce and Father Craig Sabo = Craig

Rayce Sabo (#99)
Age: 12
Residence: Huntington Beach, CA
Race craft: Honda NSR50, Honda RS125 chassis with a Kawasaki 65 motor.
Manager & Crewchief: Craig Sabo

M1GP Round 5 @ Willow Springs. July 11th, 2010

M1GP - Welcome to In The Spotlight with Team Sabo.  Let's start with each of you stating your name and age.

Craig - Craig Sabo I'm 39 for the 10th year in row.  We got into this sport with Jason Aguilar & Rayce trying out pocketbikes on the same event, and the next the I knew, we were hooked!

Rayce - I'm Rayce Sabo and I'm 12 years old.

M1GP - What bikes are you currently racing and which is your favorite bike?
Rayce - I'm racing the RS65 and NSR50.  I'd say the 65.  It's faster and more smooth.

M1GP - What do you like most / least about the sport?
Rayce - The best part about racing is: I think, riding with my friends and racing them.
And the least thing...I can't think of one.

M1GP - How about sweating in 100+ degree temperatures?
Rayce - There's one!

M1GP - How about you Mr. Sabo?
Craig - The most fun is the camaraderie.  Watching the kids be little kids and then go out and be fully competitive against one another.  The least favorite thing...is having to load up at the end of the day and go home. Back to reality to pay for everything.  Other than that it's a great sport.

M1GP - What challenges do you guys face this race season?
Rayce - The challenges I face are...trying to go faster on  my bike, and my lines (trying to fix them)
Craig - That's it?
Rayce - Yeah! (smiles)
Craig - Hmmm...Braking later, roll speed, being on the track and on the line that he says he's in when the camera says otherwise.  Other than that, just having enough time to get the bikes ready...to get everything ready to go for the weekend.  Other than that, the economy is one thing...but you make due.  You do without other things and you just make priorities.  I think that's also a good learning tool for the kids.  Sacrifices have to be made (Rayce laughs)...in turn, things aren't easy all the time.  It's nice.

M1GP - (to Rayce) why did you laugh at the sacrifice remark?
Rayce - Sacrifice? (both laugh)
Craig - Exactly! What sacrifice?

M1GP - Who is your favorite professional racer out there?
Rayce - Jorge Lorenzo
M1GP - You share his race number.
Rayce - Well, he took it.  I had it before him! (Smiles from both Sabos)
M1GP - What is it that you like about him?
Rayce -  he's trying hard this year, even though Rossi's out.  Kinda boring, but I'm glad he's probably going to win his first championship.

M1GP - (to Craig) If Rayce came to you and said that after all this time, effort and money in this sport. "Dad, I'm just not into motorcycle racing anymore"  How would you take that? What would you say?
Craig -  We would find what he's into. One, I mean it's a sacrifice and commitment that I've made to him as long as he enjoys the sport. The second he stops enjoying the sport, then we can apply the money somewhere else - the time mostly somewhere else. Doesn't make any difference to me.
M1GP - It wouldn't be difficult to switch gears?
Craig - Oh, it would absolutely be difficult, 'cuz the family, the friendships that have been made, absolutely.  Yeah, I mean it would be sad that we're not going to come out and compete.  Maybe we'd keep the NSR and just go out and do track days or something on it. Come out and say hello.  But for the most part, it really boils down to his time.  I had my time and now I'm stepping aside and giving him his time in whatever sport he's into.

M1GP - Rayce, do you think you might ever say that?
Rayce - No.
Craig - Really?
Rayce - Yes!
Craig - Oh good! (both smile) Ok, it sounds like a commitment (both smile again)

M1GP - So what are your long-term goals for motorcycle racing?
Rayce -moving up to the big tracks, probably getting on a faster bike.  Pretty much.
M1GP - Do you have a girlfriend?
Rayce - Ummm. Yes. (both smile)

Craig - Next year is going to have a lot of WERA events and a lot of big track racing but we're still coming back to M1GP...somebody needs to learn roll-speed to a greater T and I think mini track riding accommodates that...actually teaches that more than a big bike to make up the speed on the straight-away.From this sport Rayce. 
M1GP - What would you say you've learned most about yourself and maybe even your dad?
Rayce - Um, I learned that he could be, like, really mad.  A lot. (Rayce smiles and Craig closes his eyes...and smiles).
And...I probably mostly learned just to stay out there for a long time.  Not get out of...like be serious, all the time.  Not changing my mind about anything.  I don't know. (smiles)

M1GP - Is it tough to stay focused when you're out there sometimes?
Rayce - Sometimes.
M1GP - When those moments happen, what's coming into your mind?
Rayce - Um, I don't know.  Like, I want to get off the track because I'm tired. Sometimes.  But I just try to stay out there as long as I can.
Craig - What do I tell you?  Dig deep, right?
Rayce agrees.

M1GP - How about you Craig?  What have you learned most from Rayce?
Craig - About Rayce, I've learned that um, he competes on a different level than I compete on.  He's his own person.
He is not go-for-broke, He's very conservative, and he calculates his riding and granted there are times when he goes out there and he's lollygagging and not focusing and we don't have any place for that just because of the commitment that we've made as a family to come out and race.

If we just came out and rode, that would be fine. But what I've learned the most about him is that he's his own person.  And with an awful lot of influence from yourself, Gabe Hernandez, Bob Aguilar, Rob Linders...to keep my mouth shut and not beat up on him as hard as I am. Allowing him to learn at his pace and not what I think his pace should be.  The psychology of it all is invaluable.  It's something that you have to experience. 

I know him very well now just because the racing - we get to spend time together in a different light from father and son it's now competitor and wrench.  Where I would never know my sun in that light if we weren't out here at the track enjoying it.

M1GP -Do you guys have anybody helping with your racing?
(Both nod yes).
Rayce -  PowerStands Racing, Outlaw Racing, EVS, SUOMY Helmets, Hinson Clutches, ASV, SPY OPTICS, GO PRO,
Craig - CYCLE GEAR also stepped up and did a good program for us. It helps.  You know, when you're on a fixed budget, when you have a fixed annual expenditure for the year, if you're getting discounts on parts that you normally have to buy and now you get to go to more events because you're not spending as much money on the parts.  So it works out well. It's a learning curve for all of us.  I handle the managing, he handles the riding.
It's nice.  I get to know my son more than if we were just going to the beach playing.
Craig also adds: Charlie Hon, Kiki Rodriguez Racing, Tooks International, MX Prints, Fluid and Aqua Solutions (the company he owns).

M1GP - Thank you both for sharing your time with In The Spotlight with M1GP.
Craig - Thank you!