To many Kawasaki riders and fans, the familiar face of Ryan Voase will be instantly recognisable. Retired from racing, Ryan now represents Kawasaki Motors UK at Kawasaki Masters events up and down the country.
We caught up with Ryan between rounds and asked him a few questions about what makes him tick.
Q – Ryan it seems like you have been a feature of UK racing for a long time but how long was your race career?
A - "I started racing at five. Blimey, that means I have been racing for 25 years! I turned pro at 16 and raced at this level for 14 years altogether".
Q - What got you interested in MX/Enduro and at what age?
A - "My dad has always been a big off road fan and he initially got me into it. He used to race and the first time he took me that was it, it was all I thought about from that day on".
Q - Tell us about your first race
A - "I was only five on a QR50. My “factory kit” was with a set of wellies and a parker jacket, I finished last but boy I had so much fun."
Q – So tell us, what success did you have on Kawasaki bikes?
A – "That’s a good question, there has been so much it’s difuclt to remember. Back in 1992 I won the Champion of Champions in Schoolboy British champs on a KX100. Then in 2004 I won Dublin Supercross, was third in the Belfast Supercross, third at the Sheffield SX and forth at Weston beach race."
"In 2005 I won the Fast Eddy series and the GBXC Championship. I was also second in the British SX championship, all on a KX250."
"2006 saw me race for the factory Kawasaki squad in the U.S plus I won a European 24 hour endurance race in Germany and was second at the Athens Supercross."
"Finally, in 2007 I won rounds of the Fast Eddy and also the British 2 stroke MX series before injuring my wrist which effectively ended my career."
Q - What is your greatest achievement in racing ?
A - "2004 stands out. I was racing enduro all year then came home and won the Dublin Supercross beating some of the best British and American riders in the process."
Q - What do you think about having a skill outside MX, like being a qualified electrician, plumber etc. - something to fall back on?
A – "I think it’s a great idea to have a trade behind you. Motocross for most riders is a short career. I think it’s also good to work a few days even if you are racing, it helps you appreciate racing even more."
Q - How do you think the Kawasaki Masters helps up and coming riders?
A - "I think the series is a great stepping stone for the young riders and a big incentive to do well with the prizes and title that comes with it. It’s also great for the older working guys, these guys are the grass roots of the sport and it’s good to give something back to them."
Q - What do you think of the quality and breadth of the field in the 2009 series?
A - "I think the standard is good in the series. There are 5 or 6 guys that look capable of winning then there are always groups battling all the way through. It’s hard to have riders all at the same level so all in all I think its good."
Q - Are you enjoying reporting on the series for Kawasaki?
A - "I’m really enjoying getting to the races. You know, talking and having a crack with the guys, it’s great to see just Kawasaki’s on the line they're a good bunch of people and its fun to be part of it, I believe its the first time a manufacturer has done this and I would like to see it go from strength to strength."
Q – Ryan it seems like you have been a feature of UK racing for a long time but how long was your race career?
A - "I started racing at five. Blimey, that means I have been racing for 25 years! I turned pro at 16 and raced at this level for 14 years altogether".
Q - What got you interested in MX/Enduro and at what age?
A - "My dad has always been a big off road fan and he initially got me into it. He used to race and the first time he took me that was it, it was all I thought about from that day on".
Q - Tell us about your first race
A - "I was only five on a QR50. My “factory kit” was with a set of wellies and a parker jacket, I finished last but boy I had so much fun."
Q – So tell us, what success did you have on Kawasaki bikes?
A – "That’s a good question, there has been so much it’s difuclt to remember. Back in 1992 I won the Champion of Champions in Schoolboy British champs on a KX100. Then in 2004 I won Dublin Supercross, was third in the Belfast Supercross, third at the Sheffield SX and forth at Weston beach race."
"In 2005 I won the Fast Eddy series and the GBXC Championship. I was also second in the British SX championship, all on a KX250."
"2006 saw me race for the factory Kawasaki squad in the U.S plus I won a European 24 hour endurance race in Germany and was second at the Athens Supercross."
"Finally, in 2007 I won rounds of the Fast Eddy and also the British 2 stroke MX series before injuring my wrist which effectively ended my career."
Q - What is your greatest achievement in racing ?
A - "2004 stands out. I was racing enduro all year then came home and won the Dublin Supercross beating some of the best British and American riders in the process."
Q - What do you think about having a skill outside MX, like being a qualified electrician, plumber etc. - something to fall back on?
A – "I think it’s a great idea to have a trade behind you. Motocross for most riders is a short career. I think it’s also good to work a few days even if you are racing, it helps you appreciate racing even more."
Q - How do you think the Kawasaki Masters helps up and coming riders?
A - "I think the series is a great stepping stone for the young riders and a big incentive to do well with the prizes and title that comes with it. It’s also great for the older working guys, these guys are the grass roots of the sport and it’s good to give something back to them."
Q - What do you think of the quality and breadth of the field in the 2009 series?
A - "I think the standard is good in the series. There are 5 or 6 guys that look capable of winning then there are always groups battling all the way through. It’s hard to have riders all at the same level so all in all I think its good."
Q - Are you enjoying reporting on the series for Kawasaki?
A - "I’m really enjoying getting to the races. You know, talking and having a crack with the guys, it’s great to see just Kawasaki’s on the line they're a good bunch of people and its fun to be part of it, I believe its the first time a manufacturer has done this and I would like to see it go from strength to strength."
Thanks Ryan, and good luck as Kawasaki’s “man on the ground..”
