Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

9INTERVIEW ~ C'f ~ ~ ~ ... C'f C'f ~ P""""4 .~ ~ The Roeder family advanced through the racing ranks and moved up to larger machinery as they grew older and taller. Unlike most racers, though, Geo and Jess received tips and advice backed by years of National racing experience. "Dad never pushed us too hard," agreed Geo and Jess. "He has always been real supportive, but never overly aggressive about it." "I remember when I was racing at an amateur National in the 80ccclass," said Geo. "I was going real good in practice, but I crashed. pretty hard near the end. I putt-putted through my heat, but I managed to make the main. Just before the main, dad said to me, '1£ you ain't gonna try hard, park it.' "Well, that fired me up and I led most of the race, but I ended up crashing out again. But at least I tried hard." "He never makes you feel like you have to win," added Jess. "Dad's happy as long as you try your best. 1£ he sees me trying hard and not doing well, he'll tell me later that it was good that I at least did my best." out of the garage as early as I could and go goof off," said Jess. "Now, if they stay up until three in the morning, I'm out there too." Like Jess, George Sr. has taken a new interest in Jess' motorcycles. Though Geo has the "best stuff," George Sr. makes sure that he spends just as much time wrenching on Jess' machine. "In 1991, Jess wasn't really going that fast, so· I neglected his stuff a little," said George Sr. "Then he suddenly came to life at the Springfield Mile. Jess was in contention for the win and his rod went out. I felt really bad, not only for him, but for myself as well. But I also felt good for Jess. He had found the speed again after his crash in Lima. ·Ever since then I've made sure that his stuff is just as good." . "The way I figure it is that what I don't get in parts or attention, I get in experience," said Jess, referring to the fact that virtually everything he gets - parts or modifications - have been tried by George first. In their free time, Geo and Jess do just what you might imagine: they eat, (Above) Goo's best National finishes, a pair of thirds, have come at the last two Lima Half Miles. (Right) Jess . (69F) earned his first Junior National win at this year's Springfield Mile. Mile, as George Sr. walked past. "Geo . brakes 20 feet later and gasses it 20 feet earlier than I do. He's going to be a definite threat at the Lima Half Mile." And a tbreat he was. Geo matched his career-best finish with another third place-finish at this year's Lima Half Mile National. "I had hoped to do better, but I'm satisfied," said Geo. "I started the race with a new tire and it didn't start working until late in the race. (Scott) Parker kinda spilt, but I think I was· catching (Kevin) Atherton near the end." Jess, on the other hand, put the traction to the ground in the Junior Invitational and ran away with the WIn. 20 George Sr. has found that sitting on the sidelines and watching his sons compete is as hard as, if not harder than, racing himself. "I get very nervous, especially when I see them struggling," said George Sr. "I know what they should be doing out there, but you can only sit back and watth. Sometimes I'll tell them between races where they should be riding on the track." "Dad points out where I should ride and what I should do," said Jess. "But Geo helps me out a lot, too. We usually race at the same tracks, and I think it's an advantage." "We compare lines a lot," agreed Geo. "Jess - being a Junior - usually races before me, and he'll tell me where the slick spots and bumps are. It definitely helps." George Sr. handles most of the tuning chores, while Geo and Jess both spend nearly every free moment helping their father. "It takes all three of us to keep them running:' said George Sr. "We pull the heads off every week, and rebuild . the bottom ends every 200 miles." Jess credits his recent success to a newfound dedication of£. the track. "I came into this season ·with a different attitude.. Before~ I used to get breathe, drink and sleep motorcycles. And when they're not working on bikes, Geo and Jess can be found doing laps around a motocross track on their farm. Occasionally, the boys can be found helping out at Roeder HarleyDavidson, which George Sr. founded in 1972 on the advice of a good friend. Since George Sr., Geo and Jess are away at the races so often, Will and his wife, Julie; run the Monroeville, Ohio dealership. In the off-season and part-time during the season, both Geo and Jess find time to go to school: Geo to a technical college, and Jess to the local community college. "I should be out pretty soon. I'm .studying to be a mechanical engineer," said Geo. Jess' goal is a bit different. "I want to be a math teacher," said Jess. While in high school, both wrestled on the school's team, but never really participated in true "team" sports like baseball or basketball. "Wrestling was kinda like racing," said Geo. "You were part of a team, but you competed for yourself. It's an individual sport, and you can't blame anyone else if you don't do well. Besides, it kept us in shape for racing." 1£ things go as planned, Jess will make the jump to the Expert class in 1993, regardless of whether or not he wins the Junior National Championship. "It's neat to think about," said Jess. "Ever since I was little, I've idolized Steve Morehead. Now, if he sticks around another year I might be racing. against him." And how does Geo feel about racing against his little brother? "I think it will be fun," said Geo. "But if he should beat me... well, we'll see when he crosses that bridge." Like Jess, Geo has long looked up to Morehead, who also comes from Ohio. "He's a great guy. We get to race against each other a lot at the locals and Regionals," said Geo. "He used to come around and give me advice - give me tips on how to set up my bike. Not as much anymore, though, now that I can race with him." At the recent Dayton Old Time Newsies Regional Half Mile - an event that Morehead has won five times - Roeder ran away with the win, while Morehead struggled to finish second. "Man, that guy's kid is haulin'," said Morehead at the June 14 Syracuse "Oh, I was real happy to win that one, even if it wasn't a Junior National," said Jess. "I grew up racing on that pea gravel. I know how to ride it." . Though their favorite race of the year has passed, Geo and Jess still have much to look forward to. ''I'm itching to race at the (July 18) Parkersburg Half Mile," said Geo. "That's a great track, and I seem to go pretty fast there. J also like Pomona, I did real well there last year. I still have a few chances left this year to better my third at Lima." And what does Jess look ahead to? ''I'd like to win the Junior National· Championship, but I'm mostly looking forward to turning Expert and racing with the big guys," said Jess. "My chances of winning the Junior Championship this year are good, and if things go well I think I should do well as an Expert next year, too." George Sr. sat back and nodded his head in agreement with a proud look on his face. With an illustrious racing career to look back on and two sons that are starting to make their own marks, George Sr. has a lot to be proud about. '''Like I said earlier, the only thing missing in my career was the championship, but I haven't given up with these two," said George Sr. And you can bet that Ceo and Jess will do all they can to fulfill their father's dream. 01

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