Local MX talent, Austin Forkner of Richards, MO currently leads the points for the Bell Golden helmet going into the last round at Freestone Raceway of the Texas Winter Series. Forkner has placed on the top step of the podium 20 of 22 motos with his other two finishes being second place. Before he goes back to Texas next weekend (Feb 11-12) to claim the top honors, we caught up with Forkner to get his perspective on things thus far.

Austin Glory Hog: Good job in the Texas Winter Series, thus far. A Great start to the season. Talk us through some of the races to start off.
Austin: I’ve been riding a lot with fast people in the Texas Winter series and I went to California a couple of times this year to ride some of those tracks. So, I’m just trying to train and get ready for the Spring Nationals.

Which Spring Nationals are you planning to race?
I’m pretty sure I am headed to Oak Hill and Millcreek, AL.

Did you think that before the series started, you’d be in the lead or do as well as you are? Was that a realistic goal?
Yeah! I thought I was going to win some motos and stuff, but I did not know how I was going to do in the Supermini class because this is my first year on it. But I’m riding it pretty good; I’m getting used to it. I thought I’d win some classes. I think I only lost like two motos or something, so I’m doing pretty good.

So after winning the first 3 rounds, do you feel the pressure entering the last?
Not really. I like the Freestone track quite a bit, so I’ll just go there and ride smart and safe and hopefully win the Bell Helmet award.

What are you going to do with the helmet if you win it?
Oh, I don’t know. Probably just put it on the mantle and have it as a trophy.

So, you are not going to wear it while you ride?
Laughs, probably not

You said you’ve been riding out in California and training out there, where have you been riding and with whom?
I’ve been living with Brandon Bebout. He’s a great training out there. I was there for like a week the first time. And we rode at Navaho, Glenn Helen, and Lake Elsinore. And I going to go back in a week for a week before the Spring Nationals.

Now you race the Missouri State Series and other local events, how is racing different here compare to the Texas Winter Series and other Nationals?
Well, there’s more people at the Texas Winter Series and the Nationals. There’re some faster people at the Texas Winter Series. There is still some pretty fast people at the Missouri State Series, but pretty much the biggest difference is that there is not as many (in the Missouri State Series )as the Nationals and Texas Winter Series.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? I know you said the Spring Nationals, anything else on the agenda?
Yeah. Get qualified for Loretta’s. I will be running the number one plate this year, so I’m happy about that, because I won last year. And at the end of the year, do the Mini O’s again and maybe Mammoth Mountain and Las Vegas.

Well all right. Thanks for your time. Is there anyone you want to give a shout out to?
Oh yeah, I got to thank God for helping me and blessing me with my talent and everything. I’ve been doing so good this year and I just owe it all to Him. And Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki, Fox, Dunlop, Traxxis, Renthal, and PR2. He’s been helping me a lot with my motors.