Catching Up with … Mitch Cooke

Photos by James Lissimore

The “Maritime Maniac” Mitch Cooke is back home. (You can thank me later for the cool nickname, Mitch.) After another adventure in the sands of Dubai this winter, Cooke has returned to Nova Scotia and intends to stay there. Well, at least for another week before driving to Florida to begin training for the nationals. Following a difficult and emotional summer on and off the track (he lost a close friend in a boating accident last spring), Cooke is anxious to begin another chapter as a privateer racer.

DMX: Mitch, so you’re still getting flown to Dubai to ride a bike?
Mitch Cooke: Oh, yeah, they pay me good there [laughs]. Yeah, I was back at the same place, I had a Jeep to use, and things were good.

Are you going back over?
Nope. I hate it there.

What? I thought that was the place to be—rough sand tracks and gold everywhere.
Yeah, but you’re riding by yourself. Last year I rode by myself with a cell phone on me in case I crashed. This year, I went out by myself and crashed hard a few times, so I said screw this; I’m not doing this again. It’s not worth it; it’s not worth the money.

I guess it took you a couple of years to figure that out [laughs].
That’s about it. I’m not letting the same thing happen as last year. I’m going to Florida in a week or two.

Everyone is wondering what’s up with Mitch Cooke. So what is up with you? Are you riding a Suzuki right now?
I was riding Suzuki’s in Dubai, but now it’s between Kawasaki and Honda. I’m actually looking forward to doing a privateer deal. I don’t even want to be on a team at all.
 

Cooke (16) leads Jeff Gibson (3) and Simon Homans (6) at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton last year. Even though Cooke wasn't acheiving the results he knows he's capable of, he still managed to capture national #9, his lowest yet.

Which dealer will you be working with?
Right now, it’s there if I want it with Freedom Cycle Kawasaki. But Honda approached me, too, and they’re interested in helping me. I put together a proposal of what I needed, so we’re waiting to see if they can do it or not, but Kawi is there and ready. I rode both of their new 450s in Dubai, and like them a lot, especially the Kawi.

What’s next for you after deciding which bike that you’re riding?
Going to Florida, and then I think I’m going to Europe to work with Georges [Jobe] for two months, and possibly ride with [David] Philippaerts. I’m not screwing around this year—I’m back.

So you’ve been screwing around the last couple of years then [laughs]?
No. Last year I did, but that was a different year for me and that’s it.

What’s different for you heading into 2009?
Well, I had a shitty year and I want to come back out on top. It was a fun summer, but it’s no fun having bad finishes. If you go through what I did last spring, you’d think differently.

You’re right, Mitch. I apologize. I don’t know what it's like to lose a close friend, and I would never wish that on anyone.
That’s okay. It was just a tough year and I lost track of everything.

So how are things now that some time has gone by?
It’s all good. It was something I needed to get out of my system. Now I’m over that whole scene. Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom before reflecting and saying, ‘what the heck am I doing?’ I’ve never been a big party guy, but I got it out of my system last summer. I’m over that scene; I want to buckle down and do well.

So are we going to see you driving the bread-van across Canada next year?
[Laughs] No, but I’m driving it to Florida. I’m probably going to take our motor home [to the nationals]. My dad bought it new in `98, and we used it until I was 18 before he cut me off. We’re going to take it on the road again.
 

We'll find out shortly which bike (Kawasaki or Honda) Cooke is racing in 2009.

You sound excited to be doing things on your own.
I’m very excited. I’m the boss. I want to be on my own. It’s going to be awesome.

It’s been a long time since we talked, so I have to ask you: what was your reaction like when you found out about Blair Morgan’s injury?
I couldn’t believe it—I went out and bought a Leatt Brace immediately. That hit home too much. Blair’s awesome; I consider him a friend.

There’s been a lot of talk lately regarding the possibility of 250 two-strokes racing the in the MX2 class. What are your thoughts?
I would race that class in a heartbeat - if I could use a 250. I told Randy at Freedom, if this rule comes up, let’s do it. I would get the bike done right up. Sign me up!

I’m sure a lot of fans, myself included, would love to see a talented rider like you back on a 250 two-stroke. Anyways, enjoy the New Year, Mitch. Keep us posted on which colour you decide on, eh?
Yeah, for sure. Thanks.