Ryan Hughes
By Eric Johnson
Photos by Roddy Brooks
aking advantage of a two-week
break between the Venezuelan
and Brazilian Grand Prix rounds of
the FIM World Championship 250cc MX
Series, Ryan Hughes visited family and
friends in the Southern California area not to mention that he took part in the
opening round of the AMA Mazda
Trucks National Motocross Championship at Glen Helen, where he finished
fifth overall. It was there that we caught
up to "Ryno" and chatted with him
about his new turn in life.
After three consecutive months in
Europe, how does it feel to be
bac home in California?
lt feels good. The best thing is seeing friends and family and making
sure my house is okay. At the moment,
I'm staying with my mom in Escondido,
because I want to make sure I spend
some time with her before I go back to
Brazil and then on to Europe.
A
What made you decide to run the
opening round of the AMA
National Motocross Series?
Well, I was going to come here anyway to visit my mom and go watch
Glen Helen. But once the race got closer,
T decided that if I was going to be in the
U.S., I might as well race. It was a good
opportunity to learn more about my
motorcycle. I wanted to take my bike in
Europe and compare it with the one
over here to see where we are lacking
and to see where we can make some
progress. That was how I made the decision I did.
Q
A
HOW big a part did American
Honda play in getting you set up
over here?
Actuall y , I called up Ron Wood (a
mechanic for Team Honda) and
asked him if they would be able to give
me a bike for Glen Helen. He talked to
Cliff White (the team manager) and
there was no problem. And then, at the
Q
A
30
Now a member of the Pamo Honda team,
California's Ryan Hughes is seeking a
World crown.
Hughes is currently fifth in the 250cc
World Championship MX Series.
