Q: Ryan, I have so many questions to ask you, I don’t know where to begin. OK, let’s start with how old you are, where did you grow up (do most of your amateur racing) and what races had you been doing over the last couple of years?
A: Well, I’m 24 years old, from Albuquerque New Mexico and have been racing pro since 1995. I grew up racing against the Johnson’s and Tedesco's and only won one Loretta Lynn title, 125B in ’94.

Q: So ’95 until today you’ve been pro?
A: Yes.

Q: Best result?
A: 6th overall 125 East, in 1999. I worked really, really hard that year. In the past every time I picked up some momentum, an injury would ruin my season.

Q: Is this your first year on the 250?
A: Yes.

Q: Well, you certainly seem comfortable on it. It is the premiere class and you’ve had a few excellent results!
A: Thanks, I really do like it. I got 7th overall at the U.S. open on it, my first “real” 250 race! I trained hard for that race this year and I think I caught a lot of people off guard.

Q: So, now for 2003 you put together Team Solitaire. Tell us how this came about.
A: Well, actually I started Team Solitaire last year-with just me, hence the name. It just made sense since I’ve only been on a team for two out of my eight years racing pro. But the plan is to get more exposure and attract bigger sponsors. So to do that, I thought it best to have a few more riders capable of good results and create a “real” team. That way we put the Team Solitaire name in front of people many more times throughout the program than if it were just me.

Q: So right now you are a true privateer effort?
A: Oh, yeah.

Q: Where is the money coming from to get you to each race?
A: Lets see, the bank, personal funds, personal riding apparel endorsements, family, everything we can scrape up. We just have to be confident that with good results the money will come.

Q: Then none of you are drawing a salary?
A: I wish.

Q: So how did you choose your teammates Erick Vallejo and Michael Blose? Good, free labor is hard to find.
A: You’re right! Erick and I have been friends since we were nine. He is a hard worker, so that was a no brainer. Plus, he definitely has the speed. Mike’s a great kid with a lot of potential. I’m hoping that he can learn something from my experience and avoid some of my mistakes.

Q: What races does the team plan on attending this year?
A: All the supercrosses and all the nationals. We’ve all been riding 250s right now, but Mike and Erick will drop down to the 125 class for the 125 East championship while I remain on the 250.

Q: Do you guys get to fly to the more distant events…is that a stupid question?
A: Ah, stupid question. (laughs).

Q: Ryan, you were top 10 in points for the first three rounds, beating a lot of factory riders. You even won a semi at Anaheim II before crashing in the main. What was it like to be introduced along side Carmichael, Larocco, Pastrana, Reed, and the others? You know, the best SX riders in the world?
A: To be honest it’s no big deal. I have a lot of confidence in my own ability and try not to compare myself to the other riders. Remember I’ve been racing a lot of these guys now for about eight years. I could tell by the look on your face that you were surprised I’ve been a pro for that long. That’s just my style--I’m like in stealth mode out here. Besides, instead of riding my dirt bike out there in the dark, I can be here preparing for the first heat race.

Q: How have you elevated yourself to this level? Secret practice track, secret workout, secret girlfriend, what is it?!?
A: I wish it was something cool like that. It’s actually just learning from my mistakes. Trying different things until finding what works. I’ve had to learn a lot of things myself never having anyone with true factory race experience to guide me.

Q: Like?
A: Like now I spend a lot more time on the bike than at the gym. Bike preparation and testing are also very important. I used to over look that.

Q: So when would you say you finalized your “race specs” for Anaheim I?
A: never. (laughs). Actually the bike was 80 percent going into the US open. That’s actually pretty good considering we don’t have access to any exotic parts. But we continue to test and try to improve it every week.

Q: So no works suspension?
A: Nope, but our ENZO suspension mods work magic on the production stuff.

Q: No Bob Oliver engine tuning secrets?
A: No, but Reine Persson of Swede tech has put in hundreds of hours testing to make our 2-strokes really competitive out there.

Q: No factory brakes?
A: Bet you couldn’t wait to ask this one-we run stock master cylinders, Ride Engineering brake lines and Braking wave rotors.

Q: Why Yamahas?
A: We received bikes directly from Yamaha Motor Corp. Its also my favorite bike, the one I feel the most comfortable on. I believe it’s also the most competitive stock.

Q: I’ve walked the Pits many times over the years and it seems like the teams with the most “show”, not always the most “go” get the prime locations. Do you feel your team is being treated equally at each event?
A: I see progress being made every year. Lets just leave it at that.

Q: So, tell us your goals for the rest of the supercrosses?
A: I want at least one top 5 finish and a top 10 overall result.

Q: Outdoor prediction?
A: Same. I’m a better supercross rider, but I think I can do well in the 250-class outdoors.

Q: OK, last words?
A: There are very few that possess James Stewart or Ricky Carmichael talent. The rest of us can eventually reach the same goals, we just have to worker harder at it than they do. You have to believe you can succeed, no matter how often you fail and you will be successful.

I also want to thank all our sponsors: Team Solitaire – Yamaha – Yamalube – Pacific Collision - PPG – Auto Color Specialists- Tag Metals – Fly - Acerbis - Swede Tech – One Industries -Sun star – Braking – Motion Pro – Foyfox.com - Pro X Pistons - Racer X - EK chain - Flying Colors – MX Culture - V Force - Fastway - Carbon Fiber Works - FMF – Alpinstars – Bridgestone – Enzo – VP Race Fuels- MX Bones - Ride Engineering.

I hope every fan that reads this interview has a newfound respect for Ryan Clark, Team Solitaire and all the other teams and riders out there struggling for recognition. Next time you’re in the pits, you may have to walk a little further for an autograph or to give a quick word of encouragement. But hey, it’s worth it! This small gesture will go a long way to motivate these riders to do their best and provide us all with another night of spectacular racing.

For more current information on Ryan Clark, see Team Solitaire's Web site.