March 2007
Some of you may know Chris Neitzel from local tracks, also known as MXSHOTGUN on the message board; a former amateur prodigy Chris turned professional in 1999 and raced supercross from 1999 through 2003 making most of the night programs. His impressive resume also includes a phenomenal year in 1998 where he was 1st place at Mammoth Mountain in the open intermediate class in; 4th Place in the 125 b mod at Loretta's; 7th place in the 125 b stock class at Loretta's; 3 consecutive magazine covers and he was a Honda test rider part time. Injuries caused an end to his professional career but you can still find him ripping up tracks in the Palmdale Area! I had a chance to catch up with him at LACR last weekend and he gave me a few minutes of his time:

SCMX:  Chris, at what age did you decide that you wanted to become a professional motocross racer?

Neitzel: Age 14; Not to be famous like most kids ... I wanted to help my family financially.....my dad raised 5 kids by himself on a measly $45,000 a year military salary. I wanted my dad to have all the good things that he deserved for being such a great father. Also as a side note: my dad raced supercross from 1990-1994

SCMX: Do you still follow the supercross/motocross series closely? Do you have a favorite rider?

Neitzel:  I FOLLOW THE AMATUERS MORE THAN THE PROS THESE DAYS.....MY FAVORITE RIDER NOW IS DUNGEY....HE REALLY IS THEE NICEST KID YOU WILL EVER MEET....PLUS HE HAULS!!!!!!

SCMX:  What do you think of the kids today who's parents are taking them out of school to ride everyday in order to one day be the next 'Ricky Carmichael' or 'James Stewart'?

Neitzel:  TOUCHY SUBJECT…..I DONT AGREE WITH IT FOR MOST KIDS. ...THERE ARE A FEW THAT WILL MAKE IT....BUT YOU STILL NEED AN EDUCATION. ...I WENT TO SCHOOL FULL TIME AND MY DAD REQUIRED ME TO HAVE A 4.0 OR I DIDNT RIDE. ....I GOT HURT ALOT AND IM JUST HAPPY THAT I DID WELL ENOUGH IN SCHOOL TO HAVE A DECENT CAREER

SCMX: So tell us what happened to your racing career?  When and why did you stop racing professionally? 

Neitzel:  January 2003...ANAHIEM 3, I WAS JUMPING A SECTION THAT ONLY FACTORY GUYS WITH FACTORY BIKES WERE DOING...WORKED IN MY DAYTIME QUALIFIER ....I GOT 1ST.....TRIED IT IN THE NIGHT SHOW.....WENT SHORT TRIED TO STILL JUMP THE TRIPLE AFTER.....WENT SHORT.....GOT LANDED ON BY TED CAMPBELL AND HEATH VOSS......BLEW OUT MY KNEE, BROKE BOTH WRISTS, BROKEN HUMERUS, CRACKED SKULL, RIPPED MY NOSE OFF MY FACE, 2 PLASTICS SURGERIES TO ME FACE (yeah i know i thought they could do better too  ALSO HURT MY BACK PRETTY BAD IN THAT ORDEAL, ALOT OF SWELLING KEPT ME IMOBILE FOR LIKE 3 MONTHS....IT REALLY SCARED ME AND MADE ME THINK .....MONEY WAS SHORT SINCE I WAS LAYED UP SO I GOT A JOB AND STARTED MY NEW LIFE AS AN ADULT.

SCMX:  I feel you on that!  So when did you get back on the bike?

Neitzel:  MID 2005; I DIDNT RIDE FOR OVER 2 YEARS....AND I HATED EVERY SECOND!!!!!! IM MUCH HAPPIER NOW THAT IM RIDING AGAIN.....I JUST RIDE LIKE 60-70% NOW SO I NEVER FALL.....I THINK I FELL ONCE IN THE PAST 2 YEARS AND IT WAS BECAUSE SOME DORK TRIED TO CUT THE TRACK IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HIM 4TH TAPPED. I JUST LOVE TO RIDE!!!!!AND THATS WHY I TRAIN PEOPLE.....FOR THE LOVE OF THE SPORT!!!!!

SCMX:  Earlier you mentioned your dad was in the military, and I usually see you up in the Antelope Valley area; Where did you grow up?

Neitzel:  I WAS BORN IN ENGLAND....LIVED IN GERMANY, TEXAS, VICTORVILLE, PALMDALE, CORONA, RIVERSIDE, PALM SPRINGS.....AND NOW BACK TO PALMDALE.

SCMX:  I know your time is limited, but If you could give one piece of advice for an up and coming kid, what would it be?

Neitzel:  "SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN TO GO FASTER" Roger DeCoster HE TOLD ME THAT AT MAMMOTH AND THATS WHY I WON!!!!!

SCMX:  Is there anyone you would like to take this opportunity to thank?

Neitzel:  YEAH, MY DAD, MY BROTHER, AND MY SISTERS.....THEY SPENT ALOT OF TIME AT THE TRACKS FOR ME TO LIVE OUT MY DREAM!!!!!

SCMX:  Well thanks for your time Chris! We hope to see you out at the track soon!

Neitzel:  Cool Thanks!