There is a strong force of young riders currently participating in the sport of DH racing. They compete with one another, pushing themselves to become faster more fluid riders. At the same time many of them are also friends and hang around the same circles. This is how we came to learn of Joey Okamura from California. He has one season of racing behind him and this is what he had to say.

1. What’s your name? 

-My name is Joey Okamura.

2. Where do you live?  

-I live Carmel, California.

3. How old are you? 

-I am 17 years old.

4. How long have you been riding bikes and what different genres have you either ridden or raced? 

-I have been riding bikes for most of my life. 4 years, 2 of them were on Bmx and 2 years on mountain. When I go to the races I enter 4x Slalom, Downhill and sometimes hardtail downhill.

- I have been riding downhill for about 3 years and I just took to it from the start. In the beginning, I went riding about every day at my local downhill trails. Then I have just been going to every race I can make.

6. When was your first race? 

- My first race was at the Annual 2006 Sea otter classic. It was great my first Downhill run I was pinned and I have not stopped racing since that week of Sea Otter Classic. It was a great environment to see a lot of people that are there for one thing and that is Mountain bike racing. I just couldn't get enough of it.

7. What class do you race in? 

- I am racing in Sport 16-18. And will be racing Jr. Expert 2008.

8. How was your first race? 

- My first race was great I came out in the top 8.

9. Did you feel prepared when lining up at the gate? 

- The Gate, Well my first few races the gate was a little sketchy but I would just tell my self that I am here to do one thing and that is to Win.

10.  How did you first season as a racer go? 

-My first race season as a racer was somewhat difficult to stay up in the standings and to see how the track was going to test my skill. My racing just took off since the Sea Otter classic of 2006 and I have stayed in the top 7 and have been in the top 2 overall at the races and Downhill Series.

11.  What would you like to see as a racer at the next race you attend?

- I would like to see a great technical downhill track with rocks, berms and jumps in it. Then be able do a great race run and take the win.

12.  Is the riding good up in your area? 

- The riding is great in my area, the best riding spot is about 5 minutes from my house and it is called White Mountain. It is the place where I practice for racing. Some of the trails are long and fast, and then some are techincal and fast. It helps a lot in racing to practice, but when there is a long race run I know that I have trained well.

13.  What scares you most while on the bike?

- There really isn't that much that scares me, but on a bike when you are going and you just have to focus and go for it.

14.  A skill you wish you had on the bike or off? 

- A skill that I would like to have on a bike is to be a smoother and a faster more consistent rider.

15.  Who do you look up to?

- I look up to many of the racers in the World Cup. For example Steve Peat has been racing for a long time and he is a really smooth and fast rider.

16.  Your dream ride would be? 

- My dream ride would be to ride on a long downhill trail with ladders, drops, jumps and really fast sections. That would be great downhill track. 

17.  Your dream bike would be? 

- My dream bike is the Kona Stab Deluxe, which I am racing for 2008.

18.  What do you think would benefit the race scene most?

- The race scene is a great environment, because everyone is there to do one thing, which is to race and come out on the top of their class.

19.  What is one place you just have to ride? 

-It would have to be Whistler Mountain bike resort. Then Northstar is a really great riding place and races are held there.

20.  Dreams and aspirations in the big scheme of things?

-I would really like to get a UCI race license to race a world cup. The world cup series are crazy downhill races. It would be great to race between the tape and be a professional.

21.  Plans for college yet or future career choices? 

-I would like to take some part in the Mountain bike industry.

22.  Anybody you want to thank?

- I would like to say thanks my Mother, Carla for backing up all my racing and aspiration to get to the top.

23.  We miss anything?

- The 2007 race season has been great, full of wins and getting more experience for racing. I am on a new bike and getting ready for a great 2008 season.

Thanks Joey it has been a pleasure speaking with you and good luck next season.....