"Turbonium"
A Very Quick Interview with Turbo Reif
Story & Photos by Eddie Graveline
www.motopress.net
 If
you haven’t heard of Turbo Reif yet, get ready, because he may just become a
household name in the world of motocross. Raised on California’s central
coast, Turbo grew up racing in Southern and Central California. He had some epic
Intermediate class battles with guys like Bobby Bonds and Billy Laninovich. In
his first Pro season, Turbo was snatched up by the Honda Canada supported
Blackfoot Motorsports. He rode the Canadian Nationals alongside Jean Sebastien
Roy, Blair Morgan and Doug DeHaan and turned a few heads with his solid
performances. Turbo is joining Mike Craig’s newly formed ECC (Escondido Cycle
Center) Suzuki team for the ’02 Supercross season, but he showed up at the
U.S. Open for one last ride with the Blackfoot boys. It was his first time in
the ring with heavyweights like McGrath and Carmichael and I caught up with him
to see how things were going.
For the fans out there that don’t know
you yet, give us your vitals.
“I’m Turbo Reif. I’m
19-years-old. I’m riding the U.S. Open for Blackfoot Motorsports. I got third
up there (Canada), so they got me into the U.S. Open. I’ve just been running
amateur stuff, but I’m moving up to the big time now.”
Because of where you grew up, you raced
in Northern and Southern California. How do the two areas differ?
“Down south, you have a lot more
riders and a lot more talent. The tracks are more technical. Up north, they have
a good bunch of riders, just not as many as down south.”
You had some good success in Canada, but
what was it like racing up there? It had to be different than anything you’ve
done in your career to date.
“I was in the middle of the amateur
stuff and nothing was going on for those five weeks (of the Canadian National
series), so I went up to Canada and raced the Western Canadian Nationals. It was
really fun.”
Was being on the Blackfoot team a good
experience?
“Yeah, they’re good people. I went over to their
dealership. It’s BIG!”
 You’re
here at the U.S. Open to compete, but at the same time, this is the first time
you’ve been on the same track with the big boys. Do you get a little star
struck while you’re out there?
“It’s a big step, a real big
step. You always see them on TV, but to be out there, it’s ten times
different.”
Is there any particular rider that you
idolized growing up that now you’re racing against?
“I like LaRocco a lot because
he’s been around forever and McGrath and RC are just bad!” (Editors note:
the good kind of bad)
What’s
your goal in the U.S. Open?
“Hopefully making the main.”
(Editors Note: He didn’t make either of the mains, but his 20th
place finish put him ahead of veterans Denny Stephenson, Ryan Terlecki, John
Dowd and Robbie Skaggs)
How
about in the Supercross series?
“Top ten. Hopefully I’ll top-ten
all of them and get to go to Vegas (for the East/West 125cc shootout).”
What’s
this ECC team?
“Escondido Cycle Center. It’s a
new team that Mike Craig put together. We’ve got a full rig. We have (Mike)
Brandes and Josh Woods. We’re on Suzukis. Mike Craig will ride a 250 and
we’re doing all of the Nationals too. Brandes will ride the 125 West with me
and 250s in the East. Josh Woods will ride the 125 East.”
Good luck, Turbo. I’ll keep up with
you during the Supercross season.
“Thanks a lot.”
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