Five minutes and thirty-eight seconds with Charley Bogard

Pulp fan Carter York caught up with Charley Bogard, here’s what he’s been up to.

Photos by: Carter York

Carter York: We’re out here at Oak Hill Raceway (for the GNC amateur national), and I’ve caught up with Charley Bogard. I’m going to ask him a few questions about his career and other things that you might want to hear about.

A lot of people know the name “Charley Bogard”, but most don’t know the real story of what happened with you and your career. You came into the pro scene with a second place finish in 1996 in Atlanta at your very first supercross race. That was a record that stood until Trey Canard won in his debut in 2008. Take us through the next couple of years following your debut and what ended your professional career.

Charley Bogard: Injuries, in one big word. In ’97 I broke both arms, ’98 I had knee surgery, just one thing after another. It’s easy to get passed by in this sport because there are plenty of young kids willing to go fast and hang it out. I got into racing arenacross and I loved it. I finished fourth in the series, got a factory Suzuki ride for the next season, and knocked a whole in my kidney. That was the end of my career. 17 months later I got to ride again and did a few races and what not. I went up to Canada and did some races there, but ever since then I haven’t taken racing as seriously as I used to. I just do a lot of riding and a lot of lessons.

Charley always had great style.

CY: I guess that leads me into the next question. Update us on what you’ve been doing since the end of your pro days and what you’re up to now.

CB: A lot of schools, a lot of riding. I like to go four-wheeling, so I put that high on my priority list as well. I’m married with two kids, and that keeps me as busy as you can be. There’s not enough daylight to keep up with them.

CY: How did you get started in racing? Give a brief synopsis of your career.

CB: My dad raced cars when I was a little kid, so I wanted to race cars. I raced four wheelers, and then I got into dirt bikes. I started riding dirt bikes when I was nine. Moving into ’93 I was fast on an 80, and I had a really good amateur career that led me up to racing pro motocross. Ever since then, it’s all history. I’ve just been doing lessons and everything else.

CY: When did you first start giving riding lessons?

CB: I did my first group school in 1995. I realized really quickly when I was little that I could teach my friends how to do what I was doing, and I can tell you what I see people do. I just think I’m good at explaining what happens on a motorcycle.

CY: That’s part of our next question. What do you have to offer in your training over ordinary riding lessons?

CB: I do ordinary riding lessons for kids that don’t even know how to ride their dirt bike; that need a first lesson for Christmas, and I do lessons for people that race intermediate or kids that are trying to get their pro points. I think the biggest thing about it is that I’ve been there, done that. I’ve ridden dirt bikes; I’m 33 years old and I can get on a motorcycle and still show you how to do almost everything on a dirt bike, except my speed is a little off because I don’t train like I used to.

CY: Where can people go to find out more about your training?

CB: I have ads in the playground magazine and Motolessons.com is my website, you can find me there. My phone number is printed in a lot of places. I try not to hide from anyone. They can call me anytime.

CB airing out a triple at his training facility.

CY: What do you think made you a great rider? Was it raw talent, learning correct technique early on, motivation, etc.?

CB: Probably heart, just wanting to go ride dirt bikes. Lots of days of practice, lots of days of falling down, getting back up, dusting yourself off and going back to work. My dad knew what I wanted, and he pushed me in directions to make me strong. Motivation is always one of those things; At the track, I always felt like I was motivated and came to win. I wanted to prove a point on the race track. You have to have the mental aspect and be prepared mentally as well as physically.

CY: Who was your greatest influence?

CB: That’s the easiest question you’ve asked. My father, Charles Bogard.

CY: What is your favorite memory from all of your racing (amateur and pro)?

CB: It’s tough to say. Atlanta was a great memory, you know. I won some off-road titles and had some fun out there with my family. But for the most part, my best days on my dirt bike are just with a bunch of buddies riding some good corners after it rains.

CY: Is there a chance that we could see you lining up at some of the amateur nationals or vet nationals in the future?

CB: It’s a possibility. I did Loretta Lynn’s in the +25 class when I was 25 and 26.But, when I turned thirty…You can’t ride the +30 class if you’ve had a pro card. I’m only a few years away from turning 35, so I might go back and go to Loretta’s when I can ride +35 and +25. But, with all of the students I have at the amateur nationals, it’s so hard for me to come here and take kids to the starting line and be that person, and then say, “Hold up, I gotta go race!” So, I’m trying to set my racing aside and look more to the kids of the future.

CY: All right , that’s all of the questions I’ve got. Thanks for doing the interview.

CB: I appreciate it, thank you.