VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P83
vidually, so I'm looking forward to
next year to redeem myself."
Having a family has certainly
changed the way Johnny thinks
about racing now.
"I don't think I worry about get
-
ting hurt, but I do think having a
family plays a part in that I have
to perform, and I want to make
as much money as I can for my
family and for us to be happy
and pay for diapers [laughs],"
said Girroir. "I think it gives me a
little extra motivation or hunger.
Obviously, there are times when
you know that you don't have
anything to prove, like at the
John Penton where the title
was already wrapped up,
and I don't want to risk an
injury so I can be healthy
for next season."
KTM Off-Road has moved its
off-season training to Club MX
in South Carolina, since Kailub
Russell is racing again and
Ranch Russell is no longer oper
-
ating, but Johnny will still do the
same type of comprehensive
training, including cycling, swim-
ming, riding, nutrition, etc.
"Training at Ranch Russell
has definitely been important for
me, but I'm sure Club MX will be
the same," said Girroir.
Almost 30, and with two kids,
Johnny is realistic about how
much longer he can keep racing,
having just signed a two-year ex-
tension to his contract with KTM.
"Honestly, I'm not 100 per-
cent positive right now. I've said
before, this is my last contract,
but I guess I'm going to wait and
see how I feel when the time
comes in two years. I would say
this is my last contract, at least
the second to last, for sure.
I don't see myself racing for
much longer. I just think it's not
like motocross or supercross
where it's like, 'Okay, I'm going
to stack all this money away for
retirement.' I will have to get a
job after I quit, so I will have to
do something. It's not like I'm
going to set myself up for life if I
keep racing. I'm not getting any
younger, and you know crashes
hurt more and more, so right
now, I would say two to three,
maybe four more years. I don't
know. I've said it quite a few
times. This is probably my last.
I've gone back and forth, but I'm
not sure.
"I'm not sure what I'll do. If
someone offers me something,
I'll stay in the industry, if it suits
my family or feels right. I was
thinking about buying equip
-
ment and doing some kind of
an excavation business. But I'm
open to options."
CN
Girroir was so
fast in the woods
this year that
he clinched the
GNCC crown two
races early.
