Zijspan - of all the outrageous things that I have seen done on a motorcycle - a Harley for that matter - you and your racing team/program take the cake. We gotta hear more about you - If I understand it correctly you are racing a custom built sidecar rig up pikes peak - in deserts and trying to run from Paris to Dakar - How did you land up at this point in your life? Sidecars? Deserts - How did this all begin and what is your life like in the pursuit of thes wild (hogWild) ambitions....and tell us a little bit about your bike and setup - and the guy hanging off of that thing - (Note to VRODForum Members - see www.hogwildracing.com)

History:
Well, it all started 37 years ago when dad threw me on a little honda 50 out in the local dirt field. That's where I got my dirt legs, along with my three brothers. A few years later Dad got into off-road sidecar racing. It took all four of us little brothers together to hold the sidecar down when dad took us out for a fun ride. As we got bigger, each of us started racing sidecars along with dad. My first race was in 1973. The motocross track became the playground for our whole family. In 1982 I hooked up with my brother JT, and we built a 1000cc Harley Sportster based sidecar from the ground up. We won a lot of motocross races on that sidecar, including the Sidecar Motocross National Championship. I was the passenger, the one who does all the work on the track. JT then retired from racing and I hooked up with my brother Pete on Yamaha and Honda based rigs. We won more National motocross titles, and even made it to Europe for some oversees action. In 1997 we had the opportunity to race in the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Who would pass up a chance to race in such a great event? Though it wasn't the rough motocross type of terrain that we were used to, it was a great challenge and looked like lots of fun too! Unfortunately, at that time they did not allow 2-stroke bikes in the sidecar class at Pikes Peak, and our Honda CR500 was a 2-stroke. So we had to come up with an appropriate bike. I'll redirect you to my past Pikes Peak story here:
http://www.sidecarcross.com/pikespk/pp98/story.shtml
And there are more stories about our Pikes Peak adventures here:
http://www.sidecarcross.com/pikespk/

The Sportster at Pikes Peak:
http://www.sidecarcross.com/pikespk/hd_bikerear256.jpg http://www.sidecarcross.com/pikespk/whitney999coolrt512.jpg

And some past (outdated) info about Pete and I:
http://SidecarCross.com/whitney/

Now, I'll get into a different question:
Why did I build this wild V-Rod powered sidecar?

The idea for this sidecar began in 2000 when our Harley Sportster powered sidecar blew up in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. We had won there the two previous years, but we finally reached the limits of our machine in 2000. The rig we ran there was an old modified home-built motocross sidecar with a heavily built up Harley Sportster motor (with nitrous-oxide). We needed more horsepower, more reliability, and a chassis setup that was better suited for that smooth and fast dirt road.

At the same time I was dreaming about doing the Dakar Rally on a sidecar. I've been a sidecar guy for over 30 years so that's the way I want to do it. These two races are about as different from each other as can be imagined. One lasts 15 minutes on a smooth dirt road with the finish at the 14,000ft peak of a snow-capped American mountain. The other lasts for 15 or more days through the most desolate roadless hot desert regions on earth, with the finish at sea level on the beaches of Dakar in Africa. But they are both great World-Class events that just about every race enthusiasts has dream about doing. I am fulfilling my dreams, but I had a dilemma. I needed two new sidecars, each with very different and specialized requirements. You can not "buy" a sidecar that is made for either of these types of races.

As I thought through how to build a new Pikes Peak sidecar AND a new Dakar sidecar, it slowly became clear that deep down they really were the same thing. Everything started with the tires. Rally car tires were ideal for both events. As I thought through the concept it all fell into place. I selected the Suzuki TL1000R as a good reliable high-horsepower motor. I bought a 15 inch rally tire, a matching racing wheel, and designed and machined custom wheel hub pieces. I stuffed all the wheel pieces in my baggage and jumped on an airplane from Los Angeles to Belgium where the EML motocross sidecar factory is located. A week later we had most of the basic bare chassis completed. It was a modified version of an EML motocross sidecar, with special features to meet my special needs. I spent the next 6 months in my garage fabricating all the bits and pieces to pull it all together.

For Pikes Peak we use smaller 13 inch rally tires, short shocks, very low driver's seat, small fuel tank, low mounted handlebars, aerodynamic front shield, etc. It was fantastic at Pikes Peak where we pulled off another win in 2001.

My brother Pete had been my driver for the last 20 years of sidecar motocross. He was never much into building bikes, and he also was not into doing Dakar. He liked wheel-to-wheel racing, not the man against Mother Nature thing. So, for Dakar only, I temporarily promoted myself to driver. Unfortunately, in July 2003 Pete died in a car accident. It's been a very difficult thing for our whole family, but racing continues. Pete's son Craig is my passenger for some events here in the States. For Dakar I have selected Udo Dederichs of Belgium as my ideal Dakar passenger. Udo has done Dakar in trucks three times, won the Tunisia rally on a quad twice, and won the German Sidecar-Cross Championship twice. If we have any problems, Udo will simply stick me and the sidecar on his back, and carry us to the finish. He is one tough guy!

Following our win at Pikes Peak on the new Suzuki sidecar, I set my sights on setting up for Dakar. The cost for Dakar is outrageous (75,000 dollars). We need some serious sponsorship to meet that budget. Unfortunately, our Suzuki was not attracting any attention. At the same time, Harley had come out with the new V-Rod. I took a long look at it, inside and out. It really blew my mind. The V-Rod is unlike anything Harley has ever made. In almost every way it was superior to the Suzuki. It has the horsepower I need, and careful studies suggested it would be even more reliable than the Suzuki.

Meanwhile I had converted the Suzuki sidecar over to the Dakar configuration with tall suspension and many other changes. We had begun doing some real off-road testing out in the desert. I was also talking with Harley-Davidson about our project and goals, and how they might be able join our effort. They eventually committed to sending us two V-Rod motors. As they were boxing them up for shipment, the Suzuki motor had a catastrophic failure while testing in the sand dunes. We now had a huge hole in the transmission and oil gushing out into the sand. That was the end of the Suzuki motor, and it could have been the end of my Dakar plans.

The timing was almost perfect though. Out with the bad motor, and in with a good one. Unfortunately, the V-Rod motor is a bit bigger than the TL1000R, and it didn't fit. It took me a couple of weeks working on the frame to get it in, but the final result was excellent. It came together just in time for Pikes Peak 2003, where we pulled of another win. It was a great debut for the new V-Rod!

The V-Rod ready for Pikes Peak:
http://www.hogwildracing.com/ppihc2003/bike_left_800_65.jpg

Next we reconfigured the bike for the Dakar setup again, and set off for some desert and sand dunes testing. We've been out many times without any serious problems, and will continue testing through 2004. The V-Rod has already gone farther that the Suzuki did, and with fewer problems.

The V-Rod in the dunes:
http://www.hogwildracing.com/sand_testing_030800/roost3_white_masked_23.gif

Now crowds gather around this beast like dogs on meat. It's definitely an eye catching machine. But with the huge expense of the Dakar, we still need more help. We have large panel space for big sponsor logos, so we can get some great press exposure for anyone who gets on board with us for next year's Dakar. Details can be found on our www.HogWildRacing.com web site.

Who would have ever believed that a Harley would be a good choice for off-road racing? Well, it sure is a blast flying trough the desert on a Harley with a hundred horsepower. And all that chrome scares the lizards off the trail ahead of us!


Other tidbits:
My avatar is Pete and I on the Sportster rig winning at the Elsinore GP a few years ago.
My profession: http://swhitney.com/

So, that’s the short story.
Bring on the questions!

Scott - Great response- you always amaze me - you really have managed to achieve both national and international achievements way out there on the edge. So you have taken on a big challange with a major sponsrship requirement - but certainly the resume to back such amitious plans - What is the status of your sponsorship efforts and how much further do you have to go.... what time frames must be met for you to get to the Dakar rally - they had a great article on DAKAR in a recent Cycle World I believe - we here in the States are not as aware of this world class event - do you know if this article or a similar one is available on the net for those interested in learning about it. And it is great to have the Pikes Peak champion amongts us - another legandary wild race here in the States - works with that HogwildRacing name - and are you planning on doing the Baja or any other US races this year?

What is the status of your sponsorship efforts and how much further do you have to go.... what time frames must be met for you to get to the Dakar rally

I'm about 50% of the way to my $75,000 Dakar budget goal. Most of that is directly from my own pocket. This does not include all that already went into the bike. Time is running out for the 2005 Dakar, so I have to have some sponsor success soon. I have sent a detailed sponsorship proposal to the top marketing people at Harley-Davidson. They are at this very moment considering the possibilities. The early feedback is not super positive, though I still have my hopes up. They want to know how my racing in Dakar would sell more bikes. The way I look at it, the value is in improving the "performance, reliability, and ruggedness" image of the Harley-Davidson name by taking their motor through the toughest race in the world, and proving the V-Rod is up to the challenge. I believe doing the Dakar with a V-Rod will make a huge positive statement for H-D. But it is their marketing group that has to believe that, not me. You can see what I presented to H-D here:
http://HogWildRacing.com/hd/

I'm also working on setting up a PayPal type enthusiast donations link so those of you (v-rodney and others) who want to can help out. That should come in the next few days. But I need an awful lot of small donations in a very short time to get me over the camels hump.



... Cycle World ... do you know if this article or a similar one is available on the net for those interested in learning about it.

The best place to learn about the Dakar is on the official race web site:
http://www.dakar.com
And when the race starts on January 1st, check out OLN TV for 16 days of daily coverage.



...and are you planning on doing the Baja or any other US races this year?
I may do another desert race or two, but that is not the best preparation for Dakar. I am focusing much of my effort on taking the sidecar through as much grueling Dakar type conditions as possible. And while doing that, I need the freedom to stop and inspect things much more than is practical in a real race. Also, in the desert racing here, outright top speed and higher risk taking are important. But in Dakar, survival for our bodies and the machine are top priorities, so speed takes a back seat.

Scott - Remember I am learning...... but I did place some of the above text into the site - take a look and see what you think -Kevin

http://www.vrodracing.com/Racers/Wild_thing1.htm
Sorry forgot to give you the link

... I did place some of the above text into the site - take a look and see what you think
Looks GREAT!

Kevin, I don't know if we're supposed to post in these interview threads, so if not, let me know and I'll delete this. But this is a great thing you're doing. And Scott, I was really interested to read about what you have been up to and have planned! It's a wonderful story -- best of luck.

Val - the first rule is that there are no rules - we are making this up as we go - I will tell you Scott has really put a professional program together - From the bike, the team to the sponsorship proposal - all first class - if anyone is interested in seeing what a good solid race program looks like - check him out - www.hogwildracing.com. Check out the sponsorship proposal to HD http://HogWildRacing.com/hd/ - if you emulate this - maybe a bit scaled back depending upon your program - you will really have something there - I would also like to see us here at VRODForum (members) do something to help......Kevin

Agree, Kevin, but only if they mention the forums in their interviews!!!

Scott, do you have a paypal account? Guess I'll go check out your website and see.

...Scott has really put a professional program together...
Thanks!

Agree, Kevin, but only if they mention the forums in their interviews!!!
As I told Kaz, the magazine articles ALWAYS screw up something. The subject person generally has no control over the article. Don't blame Kaz for the lack of a Forum reference. Just be happy he got himself in the magazine. Now all those air-cooled folks gotta accept that the NEW cool Hot Rod on the block doesn't have pushrods.

Scott, do you have a paypal account?
Ya, Ya, Ya, you guys&gals keep beating me up on this (I guess I deserve it). :bash: I'm working on it, but it isn't ready yet. THANKS a million for the thoughts :heart: , and I hope I can get it all worked out. I'm draggin' my feet a bit because I'm affraid of accepting donations before I know for sure I'm going to the big race. I don't want to let ya all down. The BEST help anyone could provide at this exact moment is to get the word to H-D Marketing (Scott Miller) that my project is worth supporting.

And do you have an email address for Scott Miller..... Kevin

As I told Kaz, the magazine articles ALWAYS screw up something. The subject person generally has no control over the article. Don't blame Kaz for the lack of a Forum reference. Just be happy he got himself in the magazine. Now all those air-cooled folks gotta accept that the NEW cool Hot Rod on the block doesn't have pushrods.


Yeah, I know, I know. It's just fun to yank Kaz's chain a little.

Kevin -- right, I do have his e-mail addy!!

Val - I do not understand what you just said to me...KSP

hmmm, it's been awhile since I posted it, so I might not remember either!!! ROFL!

let's see -- I was yanking Kaz's chain about his article not mentioning the forums, even tho I understand he wasn't in control of it. He DID have his forums stickers on in all the pics!

And the e-mail addy -- this was about Scott -- I DO have it and CAN paypal him a contribution. Just waiting for him to let us know when is the time.

Does that help? I THINK that's what I meant...

I'm good, but still confused - although I have grown to be comfortable in this state - my previous question to Scott was looking for the HD contact's email address so that members could right notes supporting HogWild in their Dakar adventure....KSP

I'm good, but still confused - although I have grown to be comfortable in this state - my previous question to Scott was looking for the HD contact's email address so that members could right notes supporting HogWild in their Dakar adventure....KSP

Are you blonde too?

Scott - Can you tell us more about this Pikes Peak race that you won - tell us about the event - as I recall that is a very famous event - tell us about the competition and the victory - how it played out. Kevin

I'm good, but still confused - although I have grown to be comfortable in this state - my previous question to Scott was looking for the HD contact's email address so that members could right notes supporting HogWild in their Dakar adventure....KSP
Kevin,
I don't have the appropriate email address for the top H-D people that will make the final decisions. And, I'm not sure I'd want them sort of spammed by people they don't know. My hope is that there is someone here that has a connection into MoCo that they could make use of in a more personal way. I have a few of these types of connections, but more is better.

For the past week I've been using my connections in Europe to generate some interest over there. I'm having some success with that, but their enthusiasm needs to make its way back to Milwaukee.

I think the next week or two will make or break my pitch to MoCo.

Thanks for your interest, and I'll keep you all informed.

Scott

No SPAM - DAMN....... Descretion is the better part of valour..... I hope that it goes well - you truly have an impressive program and an ambitious goal.... It would be great to see a VROD make it to DAKAR!

Scott - Can you tell us more about this Pikes Peak race that you won - tell us about the event - as I recall that is a very famous event - tell us about the competition and the victory - how it played out. Kevin

I’ve won at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb 4 times, and still hold the sidecar record time set in 2001. I was riding as passenger for all but the last time. The detailed wild stories from earlier years with lots of cool photos are here:
http://SidecarCross.com/pikespk/

In 2003 I took on the driver position, installed the V-Rod motor, and grabbed my Colorado friend Pat Holmes as my passenger. Compared to previous years, it was an uneventful race. At the start, I revved it up, dumped the clutch, and hauled butt all the way to the top. We didn’t spin out, catch fire, spew oil, go off the road, or get smashed by our competitors as had happened to us other years. Given that this was my first time “driving” at Pikes Peak, and first time riding with Pat in many years, we were not as fast as when I rode with my brother Pete. But, our time was still good enough for first place. We carried the ESPN helmet-cam, and captured some pretty cool footage for the TV viewers.

What is the Pikes Peak Hill Climb:
A race up a mostly dirt mountain road to the top of Pikes Peak, a 14,110ft mountain outside Colorado Springs, Colorado (see photo of upper 40% of race course). There are no guard rails, no speed limits, and no forgiveness for mistakes.
Course length: 12.42 miles (20km)
Start elevation: 9,390 feet (2862m)
Finish elevation: 14,110 feet (4300m)
Vertical rise: 4,720 feet (1438m)
Average grade: 7 percent
Maximum plus grade: 10.5 percent
Number of turns: 156
Length of course made up of corners: 42 percent
Average speed for sidecar record 13:42 minute run: 54 mph (86km/hr)
Fastest time ever: 10:04, Rod Millen, All-Wheel-Drive Toyota Celica Turbo

Some History:
The first ever Pikes Peak Hill Climb was in 1916. In addition to the auto classes, the 1916 event featured four motorcycle races. In the first, a Harley-Davidson Sidecar driven by D. Vanderhoof posted a winning time of 29:33. In the second motorcycle race of the day, Professional - Floyd Clymer on his Excelsior posted an overall record time of 21:58. In 1998 and 1999, the Pete and I put Harley-Davidson back in the winners circle at Pikes Peak aboard our nitrous-boosted Bartels' prepared Sportster sidecar. In 2001 we won again on a Suzuki powered rig. For 2003, I took over as driver, built a new rig powered by Harley's new fuel-injected and water cooled V-Rod motor, and posted the winning time of 14:58.47, giving Harley-Davidson a win on "America's Mountain" on their 100th anniversary.

I’ve won at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb 4 times, and still hold the sidecar record time set in 2001. I was riding as passenger for all but the last time. The detailed wild stories from earlier years with lots of cool photos are here:
http://SidecarCross.com/pikespk/

In 2003 I took on the driver position, installed the V-Rod motor, and grabbed my Colorado friend Pat Holmes as my passenger. Compared to previous years, it was an uneventful race. At the start, I revved it up, dumped the clutch, and hauled butt all the way to the top. We didn’t spin out, catch fire, spew oil, go off the road, or get smashed by our competitors as had happened to us other years. Given that this was my first time “driving” at Pikes Peak, and first time riding with Pat in many years, we were not as fast as when I rode with my brother Pete. But, our time was still good enough for first place. We carried the ESPN helmet-cam, and captured some pretty cool footage for the TV viewers.

What is the Pikes Peak Hill Climb:
A race up a mostly dirt mountain road to the top of Pikes Peak, a 14,110ft mountain outside Colorado Springs, Colorado (see photo of upper 40% of race course). There are no guard rails, no speed limits, and no forgiveness for mistakes.
Course length: 12.42 miles (20km)
Start elevation: 9,390 feet (2862m)
Finish elevation: 14,110 feet (4300m)
Vertical rise: 4,720 feet (1438m)
Average grade: 7 percent
Maximum plus grade: 10.5 percent
Number of turns: 156
Length of course made up of corners: 42 percent
Average speed for sidecar record 13:42 minute run: 54 mph (86km/hr)
Fastest time ever: 10:04, Rod Millen, All-Wheel-Drive Toyota Celica Turbo

Some History:
The first ever Pikes Peak Hill Climb was in 1916. In addition to the auto classes, the 1916 event featured four motorcycle races. In the first, a Harley-Davidson Sidecar driven by D. Vanderhoof posted a winning time of 29:33. In the second motorcycle race of the day, Professional - Floyd Clymer on his Excelsior posted an overall record time of 21:58. In 1998 and 1999, the Pete and I put Harley-Davidson back in the winners circle at Pikes Peak aboard our nitrous-boosted Bartels' prepared Sportster sidecar. In 2001 we won again on a Suzuki powered rig. For 2003, I took over as driver, built a new rig powered by Harley's new fuel-injected and water cooled V-Rod motor, and posted the winning time of 14:58.47, giving Harley-Davidson a win on "America's Mountain" on their 100th anniversary.
Your a Proven STUD and Your Still having a Hard time getting Sponsorship? :hmm: WTF is wrong with these companies? :confused: I always wonder How it would be to have a Sponsor and a Team and Not have to do EVERY FRIGGEN THING BY MY SELF! :banghead: I Hope a Major Corperation Sees what and Awesome Marketing Tool You could be for them and Give you the Money You NEED to Race DAKAR!!!!!!!!!!! :notworth:

Your a Proven STUD and Your Still having a Hard time getting Sponsorship? :hmm: WTF is wrong with these companies? :confused: I always wonder How it would be to have a Sponsor and a Team and Not have to do EVERY FRIGGEN THING BY MY SELF! :banghead: I Hope a Major Corperation Sees what and Awesome Marketing Tool You could be for them and Give you the Money You NEED to Race DAKAR!!!!!!!!!!! :notworth:
Thanks Kaz!
It's never been easy for us sidecar guys. We're just too different from what people are familiar with. We need someone progressive like RedBull, but even they turned their back on us. Very frustrating. But I hold my head up, keep the throttle wide open, and blaze my own path.

My passenger with the ESPN helmet-cam is on my V-Rod sidecar with me driving. Racing in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb 2003. Notice some very steep slopes off the edges of the road, and how CLOSE they are! The video is only about 1.5 minutes of the whole 15 minute race.