Catching Up With: Parker Allison

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2011 is going to be a new exciting year for Parker Allison full of changes. Lissimore Photo.

By: Kyle Carruthers

Photos By: James Lissimore

This week DMX was able to catch up with one of the members from one of Canada’s favourite moto families. We talked to Parker Allison while he was studying in the library. Parker put together some great finishes in the MX2 class last year and is looking to change some things up this year. We get the scoop on his team’s new deal, his program and much more all right here. Check it out!

DMX: Hey Parker, What are you doing bud?

Parker: Just doing a little studying in the library, man. What are you doing?

Was just hoping to get an interview out of you!

Yeah, let’s do it!

So what have you been up to lately during the cold winter months?

I have just been going to university doing my natural science and training hard with Evolved Nutrition and getting ready for the 2011 season.

Well the rumour is you have a contract signed for 2011. What can you tell us about it?

Yeah, I do have a contract signed with Yamalube and Blackfootdirect.com. Troy Lee Designs will be with us as well. I also think we’ll be riding 450’s this year in the MX1 class as well.

With his skill, style and work ethic Parker should have no problem on his new ride in the MX1 Class. Lissimore Photo.

Really eh? Well that is a pretty big change for you guys. Is your brother Jared moving up as well?

Yeah it was actually Jared’s idea. He really wanted to move up to the big bikes. We have already spent too much time in the MX2 class so I am going to go with him if he goes.

What brought on this decision between you guys? Is it easier to compete and have a more competitive bike or was it just simply that you wanted to get out of the little bike class and try something new?

It was a combination of all those things to tell you the truth. We couldn’t afford to be taking care of 250F’s anymore. It is just too much work and we would be pulling motors out after every 2^nd race to get them looked at and the cost adds up. We just wanted to move up to the 450 class and try things out there and see what we can do.

Have you guys had a chance to try one of the new Yamaha 450’s out yet?

No we haven’t yet. I rode Colton Facciotti’s practice bike last fall. Dean Thompson brought it out to the Blackfoot track and we tried it out and we loved it! It felt so light and it handled so well. He couldn’t get us off of it!

That’s awesome. Well you have had some great finishes in the MX2 class getting top fives and top ten consistently. What is the goal for the MX1 class this year? Personally I feel you guys will be right up there in the top ten mix.

Yeah, that’s a good question. We want to place in the top ten every round. Both me and Jared want to do that be consistent and we know that is going to be tough. Our complete goal is to stay consistent throughout the whole nine rounds and stay in the top ten. I don’t doubt we can make it into the top 5. In the last moto at Walton last year when Jared tried racing MX1 he went from 25^th to 8^th place I think and just imagine if he had a top ten start? The starts are something we are going to really need to practice before the season starts.

Jared's ride, if I remember correctly, was on a borrowed stock bike with borrowed suspension that he had never ridden before.

Yup that’s right. Jared is a natural 450 rider. I have never had the opportunity to ride the 450 or race one or anything. I have probably only done ten laps on a 450 in my life.

Wow, this is really going to be a whole new game for you.

Yeah I know!

Parker takes his training seriously, as he demonstrates here. Lissimore Photo.

Well that’s pretty cool. You said you have a new sponsor this year helping out the Allison Brothers race team this year. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about that?

I don’t exactly have too many details yet myself. But Yamalube is going to be our title sponsor this year and help us out. Our bikes are going to look sick this year! Were getting some black Yamaha’s with a little red on them. Black goes good with Yamalube and add a little red to them and it will look awesome.

Yeah man, it’s all about the red lid on the Yamalube bottle. You need a red fender or something!

For sure!

Well you said you have been training with Evolved Nutrition and right now your studying in the library as we speak so I can tell you guys won’t be making it down to California for a couple months this year like usual. How is your winter training program going with Drew and is he kicking your butt or what?

Yeah, from Septemeber to Decemeber I didn’t train much at all. Come January I got together with Drew to start getting things rolling and he really kicked my butt. It hurt a lot! But I am starting to get back into shape and I feel awesome. I feel much better and stronger and he is trying to get us nice and strong for the big bike. He know’s what he’s doing that’s for sure.

So what is the strategy there? Are you looking to put on weight and bulk up since you don’t need to be a feather like on the little bike or what are you looking to do?

Right now he is testing new stuff out on us. Kind of a new more scientific way of doing stuff. My workouts only take 30 minutes every day because we go so fast and it’s so tough. I feel like puking after every time we do it and I just want to pass out.

So it’s like pulling a moto in the summer heat?

I know, it’s just like that. It’s tough.

I remember Jared saying you guys were going to head down to Cali for a week on your reading break. Are you guys still planning on that?

No, we aren’t going to do that anymore. It just wouldn’t make sense. It takes two days to travel so we would only be down there for four days and it’s not really worth it.

Not really worth the time or money when it all comes down to it.

Nope, but I have Benny at home and he is getting ready to clear off the track as soon as it gets warm. I think we’ll be riding soon here.

Benny is one of the coolest moto Dad's going. He is no doubt looking forward to the summer! Lissimore Photo.

Speaking of Benny, how is he and your mom, Lori, and all your brothers?

Brad is officially a journeyman mechanic now at John Deere and he will be helping us out as a mechanic at the west rounds. Mom and Dad are calving cows out right now, and Bryton is in better shape than Jared and I both.

We need to get Bryton on DMX for an interview soon!

Yeah, he is involved in our team as much as we are.

Will Bryton be the MX2 rider for the team?

Yup, he will be riding MX2 as an intermediate.

Awesome. Well I know you have a lot of people helping you out this year, anyone you want to thank?

Yeah I would like to thank Yamalube for coming on board and giving us a chance and supporting us this year. Dean Thompson at www.blackfootdirect.com for the last few years he has been helping us and is kind of like an older brother, hooking us up with a bunch of stuff. EXS Brand Goggles and especially Troy Lee Designs. Derek (Farthing) is really good there and he hooks us up great with the Gaerne Boots and the Troy Lee Designs Gear and Helmets. CTI Knee Braces, SSS Suspension and everyone else who has helped us out in the past.

Thanks Parker.

Thanks Kyle.