AURORA, Ill. (January 12, 2011) – Music
and motocross, the two go hand in hand. Riders all over the world rely
on the songs of their choice for motivational use as they “get into the
zone” for a race. It’s a common practice and a subject that can
actually be quite intriguing. For Daniel Blair, that relationship is
taken to another level.
Daniel
and his brother Vincent have been a part of sport for many years,
primarily competing in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World
Championship. After going the privateer route and fighting to make
mains, the duo decided to make the move to the AMA Arenacross Series
and take their shot at the 2011 title.
and his brother Vincent have been a part of sport for many years,
primarily competing in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World
Championship. After going the privateer route and fighting to make
mains, the duo decided to make the move to the AMA Arenacross Series
and take their shot at the 2011 title.
While
the brothers are full-time racers, they are also avid musicians and the
leaders of the band “Main Event.” For Daniel and Vincent Blair, music
fuels their riding and their riding fuels their music. It’s a cohesive
relationship that led them to form the ARMA Energy/MainEventRock.com
Honda team.
the brothers are full-time racers, they are also avid musicians and the
leaders of the band “Main Event.” For Daniel and Vincent Blair, music
fuels their riding and their riding fuels their music. It’s a cohesive
relationship that led them to form the ARMA Energy/MainEventRock.com
Honda team.
With
a new record out called “Hiatus,” the Blair brothers will use the
proceeds of their album to help fund their racing efforts. Last
weekend, the team made its debut in Tulsa with Daniel capturing a heat
race win, only to find trouble in the Arenacross class main event.
a new record out called “Hiatus,” the Blair brothers will use the
proceeds of their album to help fund their racing efforts. Last
weekend, the team made its debut in Tulsa with Daniel capturing a heat
race win, only to find trouble in the Arenacross class main event.
The AMA Arenacross Series caught up with Daniel, to see how his transition into the AMA Arenacross Series has been.
Daniel, how did your first race of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series season go?
“Overall
my emotions are a little mixed about the first race. I was happy with a
few things and unsatisfied with a few things. I started off with a heat
race win (with a holeshot) and then in the main event I fell and
couldn’t get going. I ended up finishing 14th. It was kind of an up and down weekend, but I had a good time and got through it safely. Now we’re moving on to Round 2.”
my emotions are a little mixed about the first race. I was happy with a
few things and unsatisfied with a few things. I started off with a heat
race win (with a holeshot) and then in the main event I fell and
couldn’t get going. I ended up finishing 14th. It was kind of an up and down weekend, but I had a good time and got through it safely. Now we’re moving on to Round 2.”
You
competed in supercross for the last couple years and now you are moving
into arenacross. What is the biggest difference between the two
disciplines?
competed in supercross for the last couple years and now you are moving
into arenacross. What is the biggest difference between the two
disciplines?
“To
me it’s just the tightness and the intensity of the racing (in
arenacross). Supercross has gotten really fast over the last couple
years and is more high speed and opened up where arenacross is tight
and action-packed. There isn’t much room so you have to be aggressive
to make passes. I can’t say it’s too much different because racing is
racing, but the tight confines (of arenacross) is the biggest
difference maker for me.”
me it’s just the tightness and the intensity of the racing (in
arenacross). Supercross has gotten really fast over the last couple
years and is more high speed and opened up where arenacross is tight
and action-packed. There isn’t much room so you have to be aggressive
to make passes. I can’t say it’s too much different because racing is
racing, but the tight confines (of arenacross) is the biggest
difference maker for me.”
How close is the competition in the AMA Arenacross Series right now?
“It’s
really tight right now. I was actually really surprised to find that
there was just a second-and-a-half differential from first to 14th.
It’s ridiculous. Everyone is going the same pace and everyone seems to
be on their game so anyone can do anything on any weekend. I’m looking
forward to it. I didn’t want to leave Round 1 sitting 14th in
points, but next weekend is a whole new game. I feel like I can win but
I’m sure the other 13 guys in that time bracket are thinking the same
thing. It’s good. I think it’s good for the sport and its good for the
season because people feel like they can steal victories.”
really tight right now. I was actually really surprised to find that
there was just a second-and-a-half differential from first to 14th.
It’s ridiculous. Everyone is going the same pace and everyone seems to
be on their game so anyone can do anything on any weekend. I’m looking
forward to it. I didn’t want to leave Round 1 sitting 14th in
points, but next weekend is a whole new game. I feel like I can win but
I’m sure the other 13 guys in that time bracket are thinking the same
thing. It’s good. I think it’s good for the sport and its good for the
season because people feel like they can steal victories.”
Consistency is very important in arenacross, particularly when it comes to the championship. Given your 14th-place finish last weekend, where do you think you stand in the title fight?
“(My
finish) definitely put me in a hole right off the bat. It’s not where I
wanted to start. I’m pretty bummed that I fell and ruined the opening
week for me, but the good thing is that if you put together a string of
races, you can get back in it. Josh Demuth actually got 13th last
year at the first race and won the championship, so when I heard that,
it actually lightened my mood a little bit. I can just go on a tear and
get back in it, but I definitely can’t afford anymore (bad races).
Maybe you can give one or two away (in a season) and I already gave
mine away. I need to be consistent from here on out, but with guys like
(Jeff) Gibson, (Tyler) Bowers, and (Chad) Johnson, they are going to be
in the top five every week so in order to get back in, I’m going to
need to get on top of the box.”
finish) definitely put me in a hole right off the bat. It’s not where I
wanted to start. I’m pretty bummed that I fell and ruined the opening
week for me, but the good thing is that if you put together a string of
races, you can get back in it. Josh Demuth actually got 13th last
year at the first race and won the championship, so when I heard that,
it actually lightened my mood a little bit. I can just go on a tear and
get back in it, but I definitely can’t afford anymore (bad races).
Maybe you can give one or two away (in a season) and I already gave
mine away. I need to be consistent from here on out, but with guys like
(Jeff) Gibson, (Tyler) Bowers, and (Chad) Johnson, they are going to be
in the top five every week so in order to get back in, I’m going to
need to get on top of the box.”
Even though it’s only been one round, has the move to the AMA Arenacross Series been everything you expected it to be?
“Yeah.
It’s actually been better. I try to have good relationships with
everyone and I try to be as involved as I can be. I was just blown away
by how well everything was ran. Everyone was so cool. You know,
everyone talks about how cool (the AMA Arenacross Series) is because
the people are so great and I wasn’t let down by that one. They’ve been
awesome. I’m definitely excited for the rest of the season. I had a
good time and Round 1 and I’m really looking forward to the next 13
weekends. It’s going to be a fun year.”
It’s actually been better. I try to have good relationships with
everyone and I try to be as involved as I can be. I was just blown away
by how well everything was ran. Everyone was so cool. You know,
everyone talks about how cool (the AMA Arenacross Series) is because
the people are so great and I wasn’t let down by that one. They’ve been
awesome. I’m definitely excited for the rest of the season. I had a
good time and Round 1 and I’m really looking forward to the next 13
weekends. It’s going to be a fun year.”
In that same line of thinking, what has been the hardest adjustment you’ve had to make so far?
“Just
the different type of racing. Everyone is so aggressive. Everything is
quick and intense and I wasn’t as ready for it in the main event. I
kind of made some mistakes and was a little uncomfortable with the
racing. I’ll get used to it quick though. I can adapt pretty easily.”
the different type of racing. Everyone is so aggressive. Everything is
quick and intense and I wasn’t as ready for it in the main event. I
kind of made some mistakes and was a little uncomfortable with the
racing. I’ll get used to it quick though. I can adapt pretty easily.”
What are your prospects for the rest of the year?
“Get
on top of the box. I came into the series with the intention of trying
to win this thing and after coming in and winning that heat race and
having a chance to pace everyone and see where I’m at, I haven’t
changed that assessment. I’m starting a little behind, but I think I
can work a little harder, put some good races together, and get back to
the front to try and make this thing happen.”
on top of the box. I came into the series with the intention of trying
to win this thing and after coming in and winning that heat race and
having a chance to pace everyone and see where I’m at, I haven’t
changed that assessment. I’m starting a little behind, but I think I
can work a little harder, put some good races together, and get back to
the front to try and make this thing happen.”
Your
band “Main Event” has an album out now. It’s the basis for your team.
How do you feel now that your record is out there and the season has
started?
band “Main Event” has an album out now. It’s the basis for your team.
How do you feel now that your record is out there and the season has
started?
“I’m
so happy. I’m really proud of myself and my brother (Vincent) for what
we’ve accomplished. Our new CD has gotten such a strong response from
everyone. We’re getting a lot of interest from even outside of racing,
which is pretty cool. But I’m really happy with the decision that we
made to start our team together and join the two. I look forward to
hearing people’s responses because it makes me feel really good and we
really worked hard on it.”
so happy. I’m really proud of myself and my brother (Vincent) for what
we’ve accomplished. Our new CD has gotten such a strong response from
everyone. We’re getting a lot of interest from even outside of racing,
which is pretty cool. But I’m really happy with the decision that we
made to start our team together and join the two. I look forward to
hearing people’s responses because it makes me feel really good and we
really worked hard on it.”
How does “Main Event” influence your racing? How does it all tie in together?
“For
me, I base a lot of my music off of things that have happened in my
life and racing has been my life. So, it influences my lyrics, it
influences my brother’s drum and guitar lines – we like to write music
that’s aggressive and intense because that’s what racing is. When it
comes to racing, when I get ready for a moto, I like to put the
headphones on and listen to stuff that gets me in the mood and that’s
what our music does. They work hand-in-hand and just feed of one
another.”
me, I base a lot of my music off of things that have happened in my
life and racing has been my life. So, it influences my lyrics, it
influences my brother’s drum and guitar lines – we like to write music
that’s aggressive and intense because that’s what racing is. When it
comes to racing, when I get ready for a moto, I like to put the
headphones on and listen to stuff that gets me in the mood and that’s
what our music does. They work hand-in-hand and just feed of one
another.”
Round
two of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series kicks off in just a few days from
Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, January 15 starting at 7:00
p.m. ET!
two of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series kicks off in just a few days from
Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, January 15 starting at 7:00
p.m. ET!
New
for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross
Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.
for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross
Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.
Never miss out on the latest news! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!
Feld Motor Sports®,
Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor
sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include
Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®.
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the
world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more
information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
1/12/2011 4:43pm
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