Words/Photos: Brian Wilkinson

With a laid back, dry sense of humor that can only be found on the other side of the pond, it's a wonder "Scuba" Steven Clarke can rail on a dirtbike as hard as he does. While his sense of humor off the track has earned him fan support, Clarke is all business on the track. He hails from Wordsley, England, but lives and trains full time at the Millsaps Training Facility in good old Cairo, GA. He has earned himself a name in the world of amateur motocross racing, but is about to travel down a road few are ever privladged enough to pass through. Following Loretta Lynn's this year Clarke will no longer be pitting trackside at Lake Whitney, Oak Hill, World Mini or Loretta Lynn's. Instead, he will be searching to find his place amongst the most accomplished athletes in the sport. It's sink or swim at this point in his career, and we have a good feeling that Clarke brought along his life jacket.  Here's a look into the future of the just turned 18 year old, Steven Clarke.

1. Steven, you put in a good showing this year at Mammoth. Do you think you are where you need to be in order to run up frot at Ponca and Loretta's?
Yeah, I had some bad luck at Mammoth with crashes in almost every moto, but I still got good finishes. My lap times were just as good as the leaders if not better, all I need to do is get the holeshot and check out at Lorretta's and take it home from there..

2. What are you doing to prepare yourself for these upcoming races?
I'm doing long, long motos for my endurance and short sprints for those first few laps at Lorretta's. And of course pumping iron in the gym to get buff.

3. We are right around the corner from Ponca City and Loretta Lynn's, will this be your last time racing these amateur nationals?
Sadly, yes. I'm turning pro right after Lorretta's and I'll be racing the last two outdoor nationals; Southwick and Steel City.

4. What are your goals for the last two rounds of the outdoor series?
Podium! [LAUGHS] Not really, to do just the best that I can. I know I'm capable of getting inside the top 10, but it's my first pro race and it's tough, so we will see!!

5. Do you have anything signed for the last few rounds of the outdoor series?
Not as of right now. I'm just waiting to put in some solid results at Lorretta's and go from there.

6. If you don't land on a team for next year, will you go out there as a privateer and give it all you have?
Definitely, I'm sponsored by Pro Circuit and my bikes are awsome so I know that I can do just as good with the equipment I have right now.

7. Well "Scuba", we wish you the best of luck, and thank you for your time. Who would you like to thank for helping you get to that point that you are at today?
My Mom and Dad especially and a HUGE thank you to Colleen Millsaps and all the people who help run MTF. I couldn't have got where I am today without them. And as everyone knows, I'm on, without a doubt, the best amateur team out there right now; Rockstar American Suzuki with Cole Gress. I'm truly honered to ride with them. All of my other sponsors help me out a lot too, and I'm thankful for their help. Pro Circuit, No Fear, Oakley, Bell Helmets, TCX boots, Pro Taper, Dunlop, Hinson, Maxima, Motion Pro, Moto Master, NGK, One Industries, OGIO, Sunline, Twin Air, Vortex, VP race fuels, Wiseco, and to all of the others that help me out! Thank you guys!