Checking in With: Sean Hamblin

 


There were a few numbers that had fans scrambling for their programs or nudging their friends along the fence with, “Who’s that?”


942? Juss Laansoo.


902? That’s Cody Cooper.


And 105? That was the return of Sean Hamblin.


We hadn’t seen Sean race since…whoa, we can’t remember when. He’d spent time in England riding the UK Nationals, as well as the GP circuit. After that deal ended, he’d been sitting idle, until Grant Langston helped get Sean back in motion. “GL bought me a bike at the start of the year so that I could start riding again, and off we went to Florida for a few months, so that in itself helped out a lot.”


But Sunday’s results were reminiscent of Sean’s ride in ’02 on a Bill’s Pipes Suzuki that helped him earn a factory ride with Suzuki…except that these results were actually better.


Sean’s been getting help from a lot of sources, including friends and former teammates who are racing. Sean explained, “I get a call from Scott Sepkovic as I am getting everything lined up to go racing and he says, ‘Hey Jason wants to pay for your flights to all of the races.’ I said piss off! He says, ‘I’m dead serious!’ So obviously at that point I accepted and also Scott is putting in some dollars for me as well at all the races to make sure I will have a little extra help along the way! Now obviously these are the most visible sponsors, but I do have quite a few others that are behind me 100%. So thank you to all that are involved and let’s go get some good results again!


We caught up with Sean after his second moto on Sunday, for a few quick questions…


Sean Hamblin Vital Motocross 


Vital MX: Does doing this at Glen Helen seem like déjà vu?


Sean Hamblin: I guess so, in a way. Although I did finish two motos here. In ’02 I think I went 9-16, for like 10th overall. Today was obviously a good consistent day. We had 8-8 for seventh. I wish I would have put it down a little earlier to catch Byrner, but he had a good gap on me towards the end. Oh well, I’ll take it how I can get it right now. I had two solid motos, and I’m happy with the way things came out.


Did you get good starts?


The second moto wasn’t so good. I think I came around the first turn in like 25th. But I picked my way through pretty quick and pretty easy. I struggled the first few laps, especially the second moto. The first moto I was happy because it was uneventful. It was just me riding around. In the second moto, I had to work for it. I definitely had my work cut out for me, but overall it came out good.


Are you going to ride the whole series?


Yeah, I’ll be out the whole series. Now I have to. I’m top ten in points. No reason not to, right? I’m feeling good. I’m feeling like my old self again, I guess you could say, and the funny thing is, it’s just been me riding again on the bike. It’s nothing extracurricular, or anything else. It’s just having fun again, and making it enjoyable. It’s something that you love to do.


What were your expectations coming into this weekend?


I didn’t really have any expectations. The only thing I wanted to prove wrong are all the kooks on the internet. Like there’s a thousand more things we can worry about in life, and you just get these idiots that keep running their mouths. I know we’re in a sport where shit like that shouldn’t matter, but guess what, we should also have fans that are loyal to us no matter what, and stick behind us through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I just get sick of taking a beating, so I give it back now. I can dish it out, and I can take it. That’s fine.


Sounds like a little extra motivation.


Yeah, I got on last night, and had a few little hecklers. Maybe it’s something that I should stay away from, but guess what? It’s something that gives me a little added gas in the tank. I guess maybe some of those guys should keep it coming, because in that way I can keep doing what I did today.


 


What’s your team now?


Tuf Powersports is my biggest sponsor, with Andy Stacy. I call it my crew there in Illinois. I have a few guys down there that are helping me out. Andy with his dealership, and then Active8, which is John Franco and Brian Berry. Then the help of everybody else. I have Jason Lawrence that’s helping me out quite a bit. Scott Sepkovich at Crown AMG, Pirelli tires, Mitch at PC, and all that stuff. I’ve got a pretty good crew around me. And last but not least, Grant Langston. I wouldn’t even be racing if it wasn’t for him. That’s about it.


What does this do for your confidence now?


I don’t know. It’s kind of weird. I haven’t race in eight months, and it’s kind of awesome. The last time I raced was September. So I’m feeling great, feeling good on the bike, and feel ready to go for next weekend.


The one other thing I know that those guys on the internet will say is, ‘Yamaha’s got those two bikes under the tent…’


That’s fine. I’m having fun on the bike I’ve got. We’ve just got to work on a few things. We ran into some fuel issues the last lap of both motos, and we were kind of warned beforehand, but there’s nothing that we can do on such short notice. I think my bike literally ran out of gas as we rode back to the pits. I had a little bit of a problem there the last few laps, but whatever…overall it was a good day, and it’s good to be back.




Sean Hamblin Tuf Powersports Vital Motocross 


In a thread in he Vital MX Forums, Sean also outlined his bike setup, and we’ve liberated it from there, so that you don’t have to go search for it.


Tires: Pirelli- were they better than store bought ones? I dunno but they worked their asses off getting it right for me!

Wheels: Stock

Sprockets: Vortex

Chain: RK

Suspension: Stock with the exception of Enzo revalving, no kit or factory components inside.

Clutch: Hinson…available to anyone in MX

Oils: Kal-Gard

Motor: Store-bought PC piston, cams, valves and springs. Head work done by Andrew Langston, who is NOT employed by Yamaha, but he is employed by GL

Radiators: Stock, but getting PWR oversized ones

Plastics: Stock

Graphics: Oh, were those things Factory! Did you see those babies Sparkle?

Fuel: The great expensive VP…$1,100 for 30 gallons!

Bars: Vortex

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