Dan Paris checks in with Cory Graffunder and his new deal!

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I heard the news online and had to re-read it a few times to digest. Cory Graffunder took third at the Oklahoma round of the Geico Powersports Endurocross series, sharing the podium with Taddy Blazusiak and Damon Huffman. Not only was the young Canadian on the podium of the richest series in off-road racing, he did it with a new Husqvarna 250F and a new sponsor, Ty Davis’ ZipTy racing.

Cory called me last night, and after some phone tag we finally got an interview down on tape. Do they still call it tape? Pixels? Bits and Bytes? Kibbles? Whatever. I recorded our conversation on some electronic doodad from Wally World, and here’s how it went.

Graffunder on the ZipTy Racing Husqvarna TC250F.

DMX: Dude, third place in Oklahoma…on a Husky!

Cory Graffunder: “Yup! (Laughs)”

How did the ride with ZipTy racing and Husky come about?

“After the Vegas Endurocross…well, I got seventh there and just making the main is good at an AMA Endurocross, so I was in the spotlight a bit. KTM has their Endurocross program going with Taddy and everyone else, but ZipTy didn’t have anyone getting top results. So I thought ‘hey, maybe they need someone to be their top guy’, so I called Ty Davis. Next thing you know I was flying to California and testing bikes. Husky has an all- new 250, which is the lightest production 250F there is, so that’s really cool. I instantly fell in love with the bike! I didn’t even have to do much to change it to my liking, other than put taller bar risers on it.”

So is your contract through ZipTy racing or through Husqvarna USA?

“It is directly with ZipTy racing. It was finalized before Oklahoma. The contract is for the rest of the AMA Endurocross series.”

Ty Davis is big into desert racing and WORCS; will you be racing some of that stuff too?

“He has guys signed for those series, but who knows? If we are riding and he thinks I am good enough…I’ve never done a WORCS race before, so I have no idea where I stand, but it’s possible. My goal right now, though, is to do well in the American Endurocross series. I am also currently talking with Husqvarna in Europe about racing the European Endurocross series as well. Hopefully if that works out I can get support to do all the extreme races as well, like Erzberg, Romaniacs, Last Man Standing…I was talking to Taddy (Blazusiak) and that is what he does. With the two Endurocross series and the extreme stuff, that is a pretty full schedule.”

Have you had a chance to ride with the other guys on the ZipTy team?

“I’ve met Ty, he’s a great guy and can do anything you can think of on a dirt bike. They also have Nick Burson and Gary Sutherlin, who raced in Oklahoma as well. I got to ride with Gary the weekend before I raced Oklahoma. He has a balls out style of riding compared to my more consistent styles, so I can see that riding with him will be good for both of us.”

Have you ridden the other new Huskys?

“Just the 250F so far, focusing on setting it up for me. They don’t have any of the new two-strokes there, just the 250 and 450Fs. I’d like to try their new 300 two-stroke sometime. In any case, the new Husky line is exciting stuff!

Is ZipTy paying you a salary or are you living off prize money and sponsorships?

“Basically ZipTy covers me so I can afford to live in California and focus on racing and riding everyday without having to worry about a normal job. It’s the exact scenario I have always looked for!”

Cory Graffunder on the box with Taddy Blazusiak and Damon Huffman.

Dude, living in California and riding every day on someone else’s dime is something we all have looked for…Man, you are you gonna’ be the Darcy Lange of Endurocross! You know, win a bunch of American titles and the U.S media will never mention you’re a Canadian…

“(Laughs) We’ll have to see about that! I will have to write them some letters…it’s funny because I am wearing Moose gear and Troy Lee helmets, all red, white and blue. I said ‘Hey, you’re trying to convert me into an American!”

Well, I’m sure you can learn how to drink beer out of a can…

“(Laughs) EXACTLY!!”

So are you gonna’ be like some struggling musician who finally writes a number one hit and becomes all weird or what?

“(Laughs) Everyone was asking me that while I was on the podium! ‘Oh, things will be so different for you now, everything is going to change…’ I said ‘No, after this I am going home, going to the same gym and doing the same routine and practicing on the same tracks. I’m just going to work harder now, that’s all. Nothing changes.”

What do your parents and friends think about your new ride?

“Everyone is really excited for me. I mean, it’s sad to end my business relationship with KTM after so many years, but hopefully I will remain friends with them and still have fun riding and hanging out with them.”

Was KTM bummed when you switched teams?

“Definitely, but I have to do what is best for me. There is a great opportunity with Husqvarna right now. They are a real up and coming manufacturer with a lot going for them. I want to be part of that.”

So does this mean you won’t be racing the Eastern Canadian Enduro Championship rounds?

“The South Carolina Endurocross is unfortunately in direct conflict with the Quebec round. I will be living in California, and it’s just not feasible for me to come up to Parry Sound with my bike for the last round…”

It’s a bummer you won’t be at the Canadian Enduro rounds, but this is a huge step for you…

“And I was really looking forward to doing the whole Canadian series too! But this is just the way this year has been going, one big thing after another…”

As long as they are all good things then who cares? When do you find out about Husky in Europe?

“I’ll let ya’ know for sure.”

Well Cory, I’m sure I won’t be the only Canadian watching the AMA Endurocross results like a hawk from now on…

“Don’t worry, Dan. I’ll keep filling DMX on all the details!”

Here’s a great link to a video report of round-two of the 2009 Geico Powersports Endurocross series from Guthrie, Oklahoma.

http://shotmakerproductions.com/2009/08/16/endurocross-round-2-webshow/