Off-Track: Catching back up with Cory Graffunder

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By now every dirt biker in Canada knows that when it comes to international moto-credibility, the Canadian waving the flag most proudly is Cory Graffunder. Who would have guessed that the most recognizable Canadian racer in Europe isn’t a full-time motocrosser but instead spends his time pounding his KTM over impossibly gnarly terrain?

Following his amazing ride at Erzberg Graffunder became the toast of the Euro elite and was wined and dined by the KTM head office. Missing the first two Royal Distributing Canadian Enduro Championship weekends, he instead spent a bunch of time riding in the Czech republic before flying to Italy to race an Italian National Enduro for the KTM factory team. Graffunder then scored a bunch more frequent flyer miles jetting back to North America, to Las Vegas to be precise, to contest the opening round of the Geico Powersports U.S Endurocross series July 25. The richest series in Off-Road racing attracts the best of the best riders from around the world, including some of the same Euro stars Graffunder had raced against at Erzberg. And this time, in front of the near-capacity crowd at Orleans Arena, in the glitzy heart of Las Vegas, the young Canadian scored a top-ten finish!

A Canadian high roller in Vegas

I caught up to Globe-trotting Graffunder long enough to get the inside scoop on Italy, Vegas, and his plans leading to the upcoming Royal Distributing Enduro Championship Eastern rounds. 

Cory man, you got SEVENTH PLACE IN VEGAS!

“I hadn’t trained as much as I had hoped I’d be able to heading into the Endurocross season, since I had put so much emphasis on Erzberg. I trained for that almost all year. (Laughs) So I think I did pretty well considering I only rode an Endurocross track once before heading to Vegas…”

Graffunder won his qualifier in Vegas

Well, you won your qualifier too…

“Yeah, I won my second round of qualifying and got to do the whole podium thing and stand up on the box and try to look good for everyone (laughs). I just wanted to do a good job representing all my sponsors.”

What was the race like in Vegas? Does the Vegas Endurocross it live up to it’s hype in the U.S magazines?

“Dan, it’s unreal! There are so many people there! The film crew inviting me in to do interviews…I don’t know if it was sold out but the Orleans was nearly full. The racing is crazy and different than anything else you will ever do. The qualifiers are six laps and we are running about one minute lap times. It’s over in a heartbeat; one mistake and you’re done. It is very rare that anyone rides a complete moto without falling down.”

How does Endurocross training compare to your normal Enduro training?

“It’s completely different. Such slow speeds. I mean you start in second and then jam it into first in turn one. Then it stays there for the whole moto. In my qualifier I broke my shifter off but I didn’t even notice! 

Were you racing your 300?

“Yup. I had a 250F that I had planned on racing, since last year everyone on top besides Taddy (Blazusiak) was riding them. So I had one at home that I was setting up, but then I’ve been racing the 300 two-stroke all year and I am really comfortable on it.”

You’ve got an automatic clutch in that bike, right?

“Rekluse all the way! I wouldn’t ride without one and they have been behind me for two years now. They are a great company and have a new product out now too, an anti-stall clutch. I use the Rekluse for everything; Motocross, Enduro…everything. I use the Pro model and it has manual override, so I can still use the clutch like normal. I mean, Mitch (Cooke) got the holeshot at Gopher Dunes with one and he’s also used them for a couple years too. They give you better hook-up off the starts and have an unbelievably light clutch feel. Amazing!”

So lets switch gears and talk about the race in Italy. I read something about the C.M.A and your F.I.M license…

“What happened was that I couldn’t get my F.I.M license in time. I had to go through the C.M.A and get my international license and there just wasn’t enough time before the Italian national to get everything filled out and sent back and forth. So the F.I.M gave me a one-event, wild card license so I could actually race. I wasn’t officially scored and rode five minutes ahead of everyone, sort of like a pre-rider. But I still got to do the race and ride everything, and they all got to see how I ride which is the whole reason I was there. 

Graffunder says racing in the mountains of Austria is a much different game than indoor Endurocross

Were you happy with your riding in Italy?

“Yes, I had a good ride there. I compared my special test times to the rest of the riders after the event. I was really good in the Extreme tests, right in there with the top guys, but the grass tracks I was a little bit slower. The grass track is much different than anything we do in North America.”

So things still look positive with you and KTM over there?

“Definitely! The thing is, Enduro racing is such a big market over in Europe. There are so many up and coming kids that you have to be something very special to even break into their system. They have a system in place that breeds fast new young riders. So essentially what it will take is for me to go over there and beat the top guy to be accepted into one of their race teams.”

You know, eventually you’re gonna’ be one of the old guys trying to teach young Canadian kids how to go fast. Are you learning some tricks from the Europeans?

“For sure, I have learned a lot from them. Everything from preparations to bike set-up to walking the course and knowing what to look for. Being in an Enduro, I never really get the chance to ride with anyone for too long. So it’s me racing alone in a foreign country, not knowing the language most of the time. It’s kinda’ lonely out there! But whatever, once you are on the motorcycle it’s all the same.”

Hanging out in Europe doesnt seem too tough...

Are you definitely in for the CEC-Eastern rounds this September?

“Yup. But three weeks from now is round two of the A.M.A Endurocross series in Oklahoma, and I will be there trying to get on top of the podium. That’s what I am focusing on now. 

What do you think of the news about Montreal having an Endurocross race during the Supercross?

“I heard about it when I got home, but unfortunately I think it conflicts with one of the U.S Endurocrosses so I don’t know what will happen there. I would love to do it, but we’ll see. If I put in a good result in Oklahoma and get myself into contention for the championship it would be hard not to do that. Too many races…”

Think about what you just said…for an Off-Road racer there are now too many big races…races where the Pros can actually make money! Boy have times changed!

“Exactly! Who knows, maybe that’s what it will come down to! (laughs) Where I can make more money! Can you imagine???”

Well, when we see you at the Quebec and Parry Sound Canadian Enduros we’ll stick some DMX stickers on your bike when you aren’t looking…

“Awesome!”

I bet he's thinking about where to race next

While we have your attention check out this video recap of round-one of the Geico Powersports Endurocross Championship from Vegas, courtesy of  www.endurocross.com

http://shotmakerproductions.com/2009/07/26/round-1-endurocross-video/