Photography: Brent Stallo

It never fails. Each year there is always a sleeper that awakens and surprises everyone with newfound speed and the ability to run the pace of long time frontrunners in their class. We've seen more than a few sleepers emerge this season, but perhaps the most impressive one is Suzuki's Kyle Regal. While he didn't exactly come from nowhere, no one - present company included - expected the seventeen year old Texas transplant to perform with such consistency.

We knew this kid was for real when, at Oak Hill, we watched him set some of the fastest lap times of anyone on the track, not just the intermediate class. Kyle has, in one short year, gone from a top ten rider to a title threat. He's got a huge future ahead of him. So put on your sunglasses and buckle in, it's going to be a long ride.

Coming into the ‘08 season you were kind of the underdog, not a new rider, but you really stepped it up this year. Tell us a little bit about how you planned on coming into this year and how it's all worked out for you?
I really stepped up my training program in the past year and a half, and that has really allowed me to be at the level I am today.  My goals, of course, were to win, but I really wanted to just go out and give it my all, take what the track gives me, stay healthy and then hopefully bring home some championships.  Mini O's was my first race riding for Cole Gress and the Suzuki Elite Team, so I think my performance there wasn't at it's best.  I think I felt a little pressure to perform and it reflected in my riding. Lake Whitney was okay, I had some good rides and some bad rides, the 4-stroke class was probably my best, I crashed in the start in one of my motos and after that I went down again and ended up pretty banged up, we decided to leave a day early and go home and re-group for Oak Hill.  That ended up being the right decision, because at Oak Hill I won my first amateur championship, and then followed that up with another, and I landed on the podium in four other classes, so I was really pumped.  I finally had a chance to show that I was physically strong. I rode ten classes, and all ten main motos were run in the same day. For me that was good because I get stronger and faster as the day goes on. The four and five lap sprints are hard to win if you don't get a start, but when your running that many classes it allows for a little separation and shows who's really in shape.  World Mini was okay. It was the first time I had been there, and I can honestly say...I just wanted to get out of there healthy.  I won two more championships there and went home with rode rash on my forearm and shoulder and a bruised muscle. It was all good, though, I rode the next day and just worked through it.

You made the trip up to Mammoth...Was this your first year there?
Yes, it sure was.

After seeing where you stand throughout the year, how confident were you that you could take home a win?
I'm never too confident, for the simple fact that the start is so important in amateur racing, and it's hard to win if you don't get a great start.

How did Mammoth go for you? We heard you have quite the story to tell and it caused you to lose the Championship in your last moto. Explain what happened?
Mammoth was interesting. It was my first time there so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can tell you this much...that track isn't what I'm use to riding!  No ruts, bermed corners, and very aggressive riders.  It took me a little time to get use to the track and learn to be more aggressive when you pass, or you weren't going to pass.  By the time my main motos came around I already had plenty of soil samples from the mountain.  As for the story, here goes...It's true I did lose the championship in my last moto and in the last lap. I came around the corner and it was slick, my back end was skidding and then caught traction, which shot me over the berm. I thought I was going to save it, but over that berm was a walk- thru tunnel and my front end hit that and shot me over the bars, across the walkway and into some guys trailer.  I hit the trailer with my head and upper arm, broke his window and bruised my arm pretty bad. I jumped up, jumped over the snow fence, picked up my bike that was completely standing upside down and jumped on it, started it, there was no place to get back on the track, so I drove down the walkway path, down vendors row and back on the track by the start gate. I ended up finishing sixth.  All in all I did throw away that championship and gave those riders behind me an early Christmas present.

Tell us a little bit about Underground MX?
Underground MX actually started out being a practice track in our back yard for me and my sister, Casaundra. Then word got out about this great track and they all wanted to come ride, so we opened to the public. We have 10 RV spots with full hook-ups, motocross track, cross country track, and an awesome supercross track. Our track isn't for the back yard bandit guys, I would say it is for the more serious racer. It's not easy...it's rough, rutted, and has sandy sections; it has allowed me to ride with tons of fast riders and also be prepared for the nationals.

What's your training schedule like off the bike? Are you putting in time on a road bike or, perhaps, at the gym?
My training schedule...I'm on the bike seven days a week, I go to my personal trainer three days a week and I do cardio two days a week. I do the rode bike thing once in a while, if someone else is riding with me, but the drivers here in Texas are not very courteous, actually it's pretty dangerous riding where we live, there's no shoulder.

Texas gets HOT in the summer...how does that help you prepare for Loretta's?
It's been 100 here for the last three weeks and the forecast isn't changing. It's suppose to be 100+ for the next couple weeks, so I'm good. I could race Loretta's tomorrow and the heat wouldn't bother me.

Do you think you have an advantage over, say, California guys who don't experience the humidity like you do and then have to go ride 30 min motos in those types of conditions?
Those California riders are probably training in the heat right now, just not in California.  Although, I've heard it has been pretty hot in California lately.

A lot of fast riders live in Texas, Amateurs and Pros, do you ride with a lot of them?
Yes, I do get to ride with them, not everyday, but they do come to our track, so that's pretty cool and great practice.

What are your goals and expectations for Loretta's?
Well, I made it through the regional, so, of course, everyone goes there to win. I'm just going to go and give it 200% and we'll se how it goes.

How important is it to make a name for yourself now, assuming you go into the A class next year?
I think it is pretty important to make a name for yourself on and off the track.

What are your plans after Loretta's?
I'm actually going back to Michigan for my graduation party, and as far as racing goes, I'm not sure yet, we'll see how Ponca and Loretta's goes.

Thank Sponsors...
I'd like to thank Cole Gress, American Suzuki, Rockstar, Maxima, One Industries, Sunline, Twin Air, Ogio, Hinson, Motion Pro, Dunlop, Millenium Technologies, Excel, TCR, Cometic, NGK, Acerbis, Vortex, V-Force, 661, CTI2, VP, Boyesen, Pro Taper, Moto Master, Thor, Makita, Frese, PR2 Suspension, PR2 Motors, Complete Fitness, my trainer Stephanie, my mom and most of all Marc for being my full-time mechanic, and trainer.