Colorado’s Geoff Aaron looks to make it two-in-a-row

Photo courtesy of Tony Scavo

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2009) – Denver local and recent first-time GEICO AMA Endurocross, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, winner Geoff Aaron returns home next week for the penultimate round of the 2009 EnduroCross series set to take place at Denver’s National Western Complex on Saturday, Oct. 24th.

America’s top trials-style motorcycle rider, Aaron bested a field of the world’s top off-road racers recently at a GEICO EnduroCross round held on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The win for Aaron was not only his first career EnduroCross victory, it also marked the first-ever EnduroCross win for the revolutionary Christini AWD KTM bike.

GEICO EnduroCross had a chance to catch up with the hyper-busy Aaron who’s between travel, training, setting up his company’s (Extreme Riding Entertainment, Inc.) schedule for the coming season and getting ready to host a ton of friends and family at the upcoming National Western Complex event in Denver next weekend.

GEICO EnduroCross: As one of the few top trials riders on the GEICO EnduroCross tour what advantages do you have over guys like Taddy Blazusiak and Ricky Dietrich? What are the disadvantages, if any, of being a trials rider racing EnduroCross?

Geoff Aaron: “Competing in trials has given me a lot of experience on the bike. It teaches precision and how to deal with pressure. Bike control is key and sometimes I can switch up my lines in order to make passes or take a tougher line without any hangups. The only thing trials experience doesn’t help with is starts, corner speed and moto-style jumps. I’ve been cross training with motocross for that.”

GEICO EnduroCross: You’re like seven feet tall, man. That’s gotta help a bunch in places on the EnduroCross track like the Lucas Oil Rock Quarry and either of the two Maxxis Boulder Mountains.

Geoff Aaron: “I’m 6’4′ and sometimes my height is an advantage if I have to push.
I think it helps more in extreme enduro type events that are long and tough. On the EnduroCross tracks most of the top racers are dialed in and can ride the track without using brute strength. It’s nice to know I can leverage my bike if necessary but when I’m riding well I don’t need to.”

GEICO EnduroCross: Seems everybody’s curious as to if you’d win – or flat out dominate EnduroCross – if they let you ride a trials bike? Or at the very least, would your lap times be faster on your trials bike than your Christini AWD KTM?

Geoff Aaron: “If the track is technical I think it would be faster and easier on a trials bike. I competed in National and World Trials for over 20 years so I look forward to racing EnduroCross on something different. Trials bikes are for trials and enduro bikes are for enduro. That’s my take.”

GEICO EnduroCross: Speaking of the Christini AWD KTM, you gave the company its very first GEICO EnduroCross win in Columbus. Congrats on that. Tell us about the Christini AWD science and how it’s applied to EnduroCross.

Geoff Aaron: “Thanks. The Christini AWD system is an all mechanical design built on a standard 09′ KTM 300XC. It requires a frame mod, special tank, triple clamps and drive hub. The idea is similar to an AWD car. When the rear tire spins and loses grip the front drives until traction is regained. It feels like a normal bike +20lbs but if you get stuck it’ll claw its way out quicker than a standard bike. Sometimes it is a handful to control and sometimes it’s magic. Overall I’m excited to be part of the development process and am happy to give Christini its first National win.”

GEICO EnduroCross: You’ve been in the hunt for race wins in the past. What allowed you to break through in Columbus?

Geoff Aaron: “Well… a couple things happened. My primary source of income is RedBull Trials exhibitions and promotions. Until recently my schedule has been out of control. For the last few seasons I’ve enjoyed being part of EnduroCross, but it was a secondary hobby and had to take a back seat to my trials career. This year started the same way – I had seven straight weekends of shows and tons of driving inbetween events prior to the Vegas opener. The Christini deal came together super late and the actual bike showed up Tuesday before the race. I hadn’t ridden any EnduroCross’ since the final 2008. I survived the first couple rounds with so so results and then my schedule finally eased up. I started to get more serious about EnduroCross and began a legitimate training program that included trials, motocross and mountain bike riding. I almost instantly felt better on the bike and my endurance improved. I was competitive in South Carolina despite my early mistake and had to pass a lot of riders. I was more aggressive in Ohio because I lost last years race by a bike length and really wanted to redeem myself. I’ve put more pressure on myself to do well this year also because I want to continue racing next year and it’s difficult to find good sponsorship. Hopefully I’ll finish strong and be one of the guys with a good ride for 2010.”

GEICO EnduroCross: You’re currently in 2nd place overall in the GEICO EnduroCross standings, 24 points back of Blazusiak with two races remaining. That’s a lot of ground to make up, but wilder things have happened in EnduroCross (just ask Damon Huffman). What’s it going to take to wrestle a couple more wins away from the other guys?

Geoff Aaron: “Obviously, my win came a little late to disrupt Taddy’s awesome season. I will keep trying hard and try to be a threat at the final races. I’m realistic about the season and am happy to be competitive with riders who have factory rides and are focusing 100-percent on racing. No regrets.”

GEICO EnduroCross: With your company, Extreme Riding Entertainment, Inc., you’re kind of like a self-contained, barnstorming, all-in-one motorcycle show. Tell us a bit about ERE, your teammates Keith Wineland and your wife, Kerry Aaron, and what your upcoming schedule looks like. (Note: Check out Aaron’s Extreme Riding Entertainment website at www.ereonline.com )
 
Geoff Aaron: “I started ERE after I graduated from Ithaca College back in 96′.
Our goal was to promote the sport of trials by producing entertainment DVDs, operating a competition team, building a professional mobile showcase and performing at as many high profile events as possible. My dream has been successful and we have had some awesome highlights over the years. The future looks good, too. Our demo schedule looks to kick off in January with the Feld Freestyle Motocross tour. We are expanding EREonline.com to offer both a trials and an extreme enduro theme. We will also be trying to secure a deal to race EnduroCross and select international races in 2010 and hopefully the entire World Championship Extreme Enduro Series in 2011. My new goal is to promote trials bikes as cross trainers for all types of riding and racing. We are always trying to keep things fresh and looking for new opportunities.”

GEICO EnduroCross: Good time here to pump any other sponsors that help out Geoff Aaron and the ERE program!

Geoff Aaron: “I’d like to thank my wife, Kerry for being supportive of all my ambitions and for taking care of my son, Murphy, while the traveling is still so intense. Here are the companies that make all the fun happen: RedBull, Christini KTM, GasGas USA, Dunlop, AXO, Alpinestars, Shoei. Thanks!”

Combining multiple off road motorcycle racing disciplines such as western U.S. desert enduro racing and eastern cross country racing with technical trials-style riding, GEICO EnduroCross showcases riders from all over the world that excel in these fields.

The 2009 GEICO EnduroCross TV schedule on the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour on Versus:

Event / Date / Arena                               Air Date / Time       Re-Air Date / Time

Las Vegas, NV 07/24/09 – Orleans Arena:             10/11/09 5:00 PM       10/15/09 6:00 PM

Guthrie, OK 08/14/09 – Lazy E Arena:             11/15/09 4:00 PM       11/19/09 6:00 PM

Florence, SC 09/12/09 – Florence Civic Center:       11/22/09 5:00 PM       11/25/09 6:00 PM

Columbus, OH 10/03/09 – Schottenstein Center:       12/05/09 4:00 PM       12/10/09 6:00 PM

Denver, CO 10/24/09 – National Western Complex:       12/19/09 5:00 PM       12/22/09 6:00 PM

Las Vegas, NV 11/21/09 – Orleans Arena:             12/24/09 6:00 PM      12/27/09 6:00 PM

Note: All times are Eastern

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole… and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in!  Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. The GEICO Powersports AMA EnduroCross series will be captured by the Versus Network, to be aired on the popular grassroots racing program; The Lucas Motorsports Hour. With its excitement and unpredictability, the EnduroCross championship has always down to the wire and this year will be no different as the series starts and finishes at Vegas’ Orleans Arena! Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO Powersports AMA Endurocross “Live” – and be sure to log-on to www.Versus.com for local airing dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour.