MARYLAND MOTOCROSS

No amateur riders can really identify with the Pros, even though they wish they had the luxuries that many of them enjoy.  However, there is a Pro, who can identify with all amateur riders.  The name is Crine, Kevin Crine.  He brings his own bikes to the track.  He does not have his own pit crew, or a motor home bigger than a house to rest in between races, and best of all there are no barriers between him and his fans.  Kevin is a very down to Earth and friendly person.  He always has time to talk and laugh, even if he just got done racing, is tired, or is just in full gear cruising around the pits on his mountain bike.  Don’t get me wrong, he takes his MX seriously, but he does take time to have fun, which what motocross is really all about, isn’t it?  He is an inspiration to many and proof that if you want to be a Pro, if you have the heart and desire, and you are willing to work hard at it and fight to be better once you get it, it is possible.  We recently got a chance to get a couple minutes to pick #574’s brain and this is what he had to say:

(Kevin Duffy interrupts from background): Hey go over a couple things with him first…

MM.com (rubbing back of head):  Hey Mr. Crine how are you doing today?

-Kevin Crine: Doing good, doing well.

MM.com: Nice, So what’s the story with your number?

MM.com: I see, so that’s not your record of chicken nuggets eaten in one sitting?

-KC: No.  No.  Nuh-uh. It’s not.

MM.com: Oh, I just know you have a huge thing for chicken.  So what type of bike do you ride and what brand of MX gear do you prefer?

-KC: I ride CRF 450 and in local races I ride a CRF 250 and MSR gear.

MM.com: Could you describe your average race weekend as a privateer?

-KC: My average race weekend (laugh) Yeah – Hectic.  That pretty much sums a lot up.  It’s a lot of work.  There’s a lot of prep all weekend long, getting ready for that weekend.  Getting there, you know driving.  As a privateer, you’re driving, driving, driving, and once you get there, it’s time to go racing.  As soon as you’re done, it’s driving all the way home. 

MM.com: I know that you train with Jeff Slusher, so can you confirm that his mom is raising a secret army of ninjas to run security at upcoming M.A.M.A events?

-KC: Yeah she is.  They’re pretty tough too. (Laughs)

MM.com: I was hoping someone could back me up, I drove through the gate a month ago and said ninjas jumped me.  Then Jeff’s mom showed up and I felt the “Wrath of the Nun chucks.”

-KC: (Laughing) Yeah. Yeah, she’s a wild one.

MM.com: I saw on you resume’ that you have some expertise being an instructor at MX schools; care to comment on that experience and what you’ve learned from it?

MM.com: How did you feel when you first turned Pro?

-KC: Real good. I just had a good time with it.  I never thought I was going to do it and then, uhh, I just kept riding and practicing, and it turned into it.  I just pushed myself and kept riding, it became a part of me.

MM.com: Sweet, didn’t you break the left Phalange’ on your bike this past weekend?

-KC:  (Laugh) Yeah and my power band too.

MM.com: Where do you work and what is your role there?

-KC: I work at Empire Graphics.  My role there is “Jack of All Trades”

MM.com: Tell me about your racing in Germany?

-KC: It was pretty serious over there, but at the same time a lot of fun, got to see the world.  That’s about it

MM: Do you get a lot of support for motocross from your wife and other friends and family?

-KC: I  get a ton of support from the wife and family.  They love it just as much, if not more than I do.  It’s always good, they always got my back.  Some days I didn’t feel like going and the wife was always behind me, telling me “Come on you gotta go,” or telling me “You know you want to go,” once I get there I’m usually in the mood to do it, so it’s always good to have that support.

MM.com:  If you could have the honor of meeting anyone alive or dead, who would it be? and you can’t say Captain M.

-KC: Uhhh… Who’s Captain M?  I think.  Wait! Never mind, I beat Captain M a couple times I think, but aliveeee, who would I like to meet, can I get that to ya later…

MM.com: Sure, Got any memorable injuries or pivotal learning experiences to share with your fans?

-KC:  (Laughing hard)  Hah-Hah-Hah!  Oh Lord, injuries.  No. No injuries are ever a thing to remember, you know what I mean? You want to forget those.  I’ve had my share. 

MM.com: Do you have any advice for anyone turning Pro or thinking about turning Pro?

-KC: Have fun.  Enjoy it.  You gotta make it fun and just try hard.

MM.com: If you were going to be stranded on a desert island, which would you want with you, Your Wife, your Dodge Van, or Han Solo?

-KC: Let’s go with the wife.

MM.com: Is there anything like that has changed or you’d like to see change in motocross?

-KC: Definitely, I’d like to see the riders get paid what they deserve.  That’s what I’d like to see.

MM.com: And those guys who interview the rider too, right?

-KC: Yeah you guys too. 

MM.com: Thank you very much for your time Mr. Crine, we know and appreciate that even though you’re pretty busy, you’re never too busy for your fans. So, good luck on the rest of your Outdoors Pro National Events. 

-KC: Thank you.  Well my Pro Nationals are all over.  That was the last at Budd’s Creek I retired there.

MM.com:  Whaaaaaaat?

-KC: Yup. That was the last one.

MM.com: You’re just going to stick with local?

-KC:  Yeah.  I’m just going to play on the bike.  Got a kid on the way here in the next 3-4 weeks, a little boy, so we’re just playing it by ear.

MM.com:  I’m glad that I got to see you race.  You take care and we’re sad to see you retire.