Every Tuesday I hope to post a short 10 question interview with an OS Rider. Hope you enjoy.

I recently had the chance to catch up with Greg Hill. It's no surprise finding out after all these years while many of us moved on to other things Greg weathered the Highs and Lows of this sport and stayed involved.

Getting caught up with Greg Hill.
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GRH: What has kept you so involved in BMX all these years? I am starting to see your name in BMX as I see A.J. Foyt to Indycar or Roger Decoster to Motocross.

GH: I have always loved BMX, it's what I do what I know, I always felt it's my place to be. I have spent most of my life in this sport doing what I love. I feel the time is near where BMX will grow to another level, I intend to be here long term and when it blows up I'll be here to share in it all. Basically if I can pass on my knowledge and improve other peoples skills, help them learn how to push their own limits to become the best they can be then that is awesome, it's a tremendous feeling to help people do this.
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GRH: There are rumors floating around the last couple weeks about some projects you have been working on. I saw you and Heary last week and not once heard you mention that Joey Licata took over the Cutting Edge Track and you will be expanding your Training Program. Give it up! What are your Plans?

GH: Basically Cutting Edge BMX is under new ownership, I am not the track operator but I am partners with Joey Licata with Moto X Camp and we will convert one of the single wide trailers on site to a bunk house that will sleep 20 - 25 people. Our mission is to provide the best BMX training available. We will have a bunkhouse, a gym, and the best track around to train on as well as a water park next door. Summer camp is coming with the following dates: June 25-29 / July 2-6 / July 30-August 3 / August 6-10 / August 20-24
We will be combining our efforts with Mike Redman and doing a big pre ABA Grand's Camp and then a Christmas camp. It's something I have been working on for some time. Joey Licata and I have been good friends for about 18 years so we formed a partnership and were excited about this. We are very comfortable working together and both see BMX at a bigger and grander scale.
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GRH: When did you start planning this.

GH: In 2005 I did a 4 day camp in AZ at Black Mountain with the answer team, on the drive home with Joey Licata we began talking. The next thing I know Joey pulls out his laptop and 50 miles later we had a business plan. We looked for a piece of land to do this on and it just seemed so expensive unless we did it out in the middle of nowhere so we just kept it on the table until the right opportunity came along.
Joey called me a few weeks ago and asked if I still wanted to do "Moto X Camp". Joey Took over Cutting Edge so I started getting everything into place for the camps.
See: www.greghillspeedseminars.com
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GRH: What will you be offering and to whom.

GH: Anyone who is looking to become a better racer, who wants to train and learn both young and old, boy or girl. Were offering this for all BMXers who want to reach the potential they have inside.
Right now we just put our summer schedule out there. We want to offer 1-day clinics, 2-day clinics as well as our 5-day camps. Each rider will get hands on instruction from myself as well as any given number of factory Answer BMX team riders. Riders will leave camp with training information and be ready to continue training when they get back home from what they learned.
We are going to specialize in BMX training for racers and there will be no equal to what we offer.
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GRH: There has been another rumor out there. What is going on with "GHP"?

GH: I am doing GHP on a small scale. We just offered a grass roots package and signed up 8 teams and will be shipping about 200 frames out in a few weeks. I would like to take this to a larger level but it would require bringing in a dynamic individual and a good setup. BMX has been good to me but I have more then one project running. To do it right would require more financing. With where BMX is today I believe and would like to take GHP to the next level and beyond. Well see!
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GRH: For years I have heard that way back in the early days some pretty young Girl used to beat you. What's up with that and who was she? What ever became of her?

GH: Great here we go! Yes it's true, her name used to be Liz Torres, now her name is Liz Hill..We have been married for about 14 years and I owe her my life. When I began racing I just remember this hot little chick named Liz, I was always to shy to speak to her then I noticed I was in her race..She kicked my butt, for a while and then one night we came in for a photo finish and she just beat me by an inch..After that I was determined to beat her, I rode and practiced until I beat her and it was all good from there. During this time we became friends and then we would hold hands and kiss behind the bushes in the parking lot..I love Liz, she's my best friend and we have known each other for most of our lives at this point.It's a special thing we have..

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GRH: As one of the early pioneers of this sport you had the chance to race the Great Downhill Tracks. What was your favorite? What was it like back then?

GH: Corona was awesome, it's my fave track from back then. This track was long and fast I used to run a 52-16 gear and man you could get movin, the first half of the track was a long fast downhill and the back half was slightly downhill it was just a blast..

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GRH: You have recently had the chance to catch up with many of your Old Friends. I know Stu and Dennis "The Red Baron" Dain used to let you follow them around and you looked up to them. Has it been cool Old School riders are starting resurface and take a look at BMX today?

GH: Absolutly! I grew up as Dennis being like my older brother always bringing me along everywhere, we had a lot of good times. Stu was dating my sister then and we would always meet up at riding spots around town..Good times for sure.

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GRH: Is there one race that will always stand out as the greatest race to Greg Hill?
Where, When and How did it happen.

GH: For sure..It was December 28th 1983, ESPN finals in Burbank CA. It was the final of a 7 race series and massive pressure for me. I had won round 6 and was leading the points into the finals. We raced through all the moto's, quarters, semis and it was down to 3 laps for the title and the overall for the day. My initial goal was to secure the pro series title..I went 3rd first main, 2nd second main and I was out in the parking lot right after the 2nd main and it hit me, I had won the series overall with that man I was so pumped up. Right away I realized I had 5 points and we had one more main to run..I remember saying it's not good enough to just win the series I NEED to win the race as well. I began walking in a pretty big circle at a fast pace to keep my blood flowing and I was just getting into the zone, no thinking and I walked past Stu who by the way had won the first 2 mains and was sitting with 2 points. Dennis Dain was talking with him and I over head Stu say "yeah tomorrow I am going to go out and buy that new motorcycle" and that was all I needed to hear..I said to myself sorry bro, not if I have anything to do with it..First place was $7,500.00 and 2nd was $3,000.00 I lined up for the 3rd main and it was like slow motion I just came out of the gate in front and stayed there the entire lap, when I crossed the line I looked back and Stu was in 5th...I finished with 6 points for the overall win for the day, Stu finished with 7 points for 2nd on the day...I will never forget that feeling. Wooooooooooooo

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GRH: Looking back on March 24th, 2007's Reunion and having the chance to relive the 70's BMX movement with so many old friends. How does it feel knowing BMX will be in the Olympics next year.

GH: I gotta tell ya, the reunion was the best thing that has taken place for me in all my years of BMX racing. Winning races is great but the friendships and the people I have came to know and seeing them all in one place at the same time..Priceless! I have to thank Gary and Liam Haselhorst for putting this thing together, it was huge and everyone was loving it. BMX in the Olympics, it's about time and Im excited. BMX will get massive exposure I my wish is that it can grow to new levels and become bigger than ever..BMX forever!

Tell Next week!
Gary

[ April 03, 2007, 04:22 PM: Message edited by: Gary Haselhorst ]

Man, that was great!

I've known Greg for almost thirty-five years now and he hasn't changed a bit. Determined, persistent, dedicated, a straight-up guy, and always willing to go for it! Greg is the real deal!

Like I said in Phoenix, Guaranteed, this world is only going to get ONE Gregory Alan Hill.

Here's to you buddy!

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Man, that was great!

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