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INTERVIEW | A.J. CATANZARO

AURORA, Ill. – While the chief AMA Arenacross class has gotten a ton of the features for the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series, a youthful exceptional youngster is becoming well known in the AMA Arenacross Lites Western Regional Championship. GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki’s A.J. Catanzaro has been a brilliant spot in the section level class and hopes to inch nearer toward the Western Regional title this end of the week from Council Bluffs, Iowa’s Mid America Center.

A weekend ago, Catanzaro commanded the two evenings of activity in Reno, getting the holeshot on every night on the way to driving each of the 18 laps of each night’s headliner and clearing the ninth round of the season. The combine of triumphs additionally gave the AMA Arenacross Series new kid on the block his third win consecutively and a charging 25-point lead in the standings with only two rounds remaining.

We made up for lost time with 16-year old A.J. to get his considerations on his stellar new kid on the block season.

A.J., you’ve had a really unbelievable year. Most likely one that is superior to anything you would have thought coming into the season. Did you ever hope to be in a position to win a title as a newbie?

I needed to figure I could. I came into the season needing to win a title yet I truly had no clue what’s in store. I’m certainly extremely content with how I’ve been doing yet I unquestionably didn’t expect it. I was planning to get some best fives and predictable rides, however I didn’t think I’d be the person to beat.

At just 16 years old, you are one of the most youthful if not the most youthful rivals in the AMA Arenacross Series. Coming into this level of rivalry with for all intents and purposes no involvement, what do you think has helped you adjust so well?

I’ve generally been to a greater extent a specialized sort of rider with supercross tracks and stuff that way. I think supercross is the place I will profit later on. Yet, I don’t have the foggiest idea. I believe it’s only a greater amount of my riding style than the outside stuff where you’re completely open and sort of hanging off the bicycle. I’m to a greater degree a Kevin Windham sort of rider where I’m dialed in and riding savvy.

Has arenacross dependably been a venturing stone in your arrangement to end up noticeably an ace?

Initially, my arrangement was to attempt and hop into supercross yet with the decide now that you should be 17 this season and 18 beginning next season keeping in mind the end goal to contend, it sort of place me in an extreme spot since I’m so youthful. I was simply superseding at (Georgia Practice Facility) and Josh Woods saw me riding and inquired as to whether I needed to be on the group. I figured it’d be an extraordinary method to get some understanding and some introduction also.

As a piece of the GPF program, what sort of part have the Woods family played in setting you up to contend at the expert level?

They’ve been colossal. Simply having Josh get me out to every one of the races has been marvelous and allowing me to ride at his place has been a colossal favorable position since I’ve gotten the chance to ride with a considerable measure of quick individuals. I’m simply getting a great deal of understanding added to my repertoire at a youthful age so it’s certainly cool.

What were your desires coming into the season being it is your first time dashing at the star level and in a train that is presumably new to you?

I truly didn’t realize what’s in store. Like I stated, I needed to be a best five person despite the fact that I had no clue how hard or simple that would be. It was extremely difficult to tell until the point that I hustled the initial couple of rounds. At that point I understood that I could win on the off chance that I put my head down and got some great begins. Presently I’ve demonstrated I can win.

You won your first vocation race in one of the Eastern Regional Championship races. What did contending in those races do to enable you to get ready for dashing out on the West Coast?

It unquestionably developed my certainty. I got my first win at Youngstown and that was the last East Coast race before the West Coast began up once more. It was only a decent ordeal. Initially, my arrangement was to race East Coast, yet it was Josh Woods’ choice for me to race the West Coast rounds. I’m certainly happy he settled on that decision.

You and your colleague Dano Aulsaybrook have done this season. Has it been useful to have him up there as a partner and have the capacity to sustain off him as you attempt to get speedier consistently?

I think Dano and I are unquestionably the two folks to beat. Dano’s had more of a conflicting year however speed astute he’s unquestionably up there. He’s simply got the chance to be somewhat more reliable. Yet, having the capacity to rehearse with him unquestionably assists a great deal since we push each other. I unquestionably believe we’re the two to beat.

At the point when did everything begin clicking for you this season?

You know, despite the fact that I got my first win at Youngstown, I think it was Fresno. I won my warmth race, which was my initial one, and after that I went ahead to lead every one of the laps and win the fundamental (occasion). It was then that I understood what I have to do. I got my holeshots down and got happy with driving laps and from that point forward I’ve driven each and every lap. So my certainty is through the rooftop at this moment without a doubt.

You’re in a decent position to win the Western Regional title. Falling off a win of the two races in Reno a weekend ago, what is your approach for the last couple of rounds?

You know, Cory (Green) was as a rule genuine steady lastly had a goof which is the thing that I required. Presently I have an extremely agreeable focuses lead. I’m not going to do anything not quite the same as I would some other end of the week. I need to win the last four adjusts without a doubt.

What’s next for you? Do you return to the AMA Arenacross Series to protect your title?

It’s extremely all not yet decided. The Babbitt’s group has constructed me a 450 for the last couple of rounds so I’ve possessed the capacity to indicate what I got on the greater bicycle. One year from now, we’ll check whether any open doors open up finished in supercross, however I’d unquestionably be content with returning and safeguarding my Lites title. If I somehow happened to return to the arrangement, my attention would be on the Arenacross class.

Propel tickets are accessible during the current end of the week’s Council Bluffs Arenacros at the Mid America Center Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by telephone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 progressively the day of the race.

Fans in participation likewise can partake in the Track Party on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the opportunity to meet the riders and get signatures. Essentially reuse any MONSTER ENERGY can at the entryway entrance for FREE affirmation. Must have substantial Saturday occasion ticket to enter.

Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be bought at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.

For more data on the AMA Arenacross Series sign on to www.arenacross.com.

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