Rider Of The Month | Dan McKinley

Interview by Chris Cumbo #2G

Name: Dan “Rooster” McKinley
Age: 48
Home Town: Reseda, CA
Class: 38 Beginner
Bike: Yamaha YZ250F
Number: 250G

Tell us about your first motorcycle.
“It was 1989. I was 16 years old when I bought a 1979 Suzuki RM80 for $200. I kept it for a few months and learned to ride it with the help of my friend Gordon Phillips who lived just a block down the street. He had a brand new KX125. After a few months, I sold the RM80 and bought a newer used bike, a 1989 RM125. I kept that one for a year then sold it to a friend. Then I bought Eric Kehoe’s practice bike, which was a 1990 CR125. I really liked that bike! Wish I still had it. Oh, you only asked about my frist bike, hahaha.”

How did you get into motocross racing?
“I grew up riding with my two best friends, Gordon Philips and Matt Connors. Almost every day after school we would meet up to go ride in the hills around the Hansen Dam area. There was a fire road we would take way up toward Little Tujunga where some of the older kids in the neighborhood had made a track. That was my introduction to motocross.

Later, in the early 1990s, I met one of Gordon’s friends that he went to school with, Brian Ratliff, who also had been racing for awhile. Brian talked me into doing my very first race with CRC. It was a GP at Glen Helen and it was on the main track (I do not recall if they even had a vet track back then). I was lined up with every sized bike you can imagine. 500s, 250s, and of course 125s. The gates dropped and somehow I managed to get the holeshot! My lead did not last long (story of my life!) and soon I settled into 3rd place. This was nothing like anything I had ever ridden before. It was certainly not a fire road. I do not know if it was my perception of things back then, but I swear the tabletops seemed as big as a house. There was also “Animal Leap” if I remember the name correctly, which was one of the smaller hills that is usually incorporated into the current day track. Only back then the downside had a face on it that was completely vertical for the first four feet or so, forcing you to jump down the hill.

Near the end of the 45 minute long GP, I was so tired that my hand came off the bars when landing off of animal leap. Luckily, I managed to stay on two wheels. I was just thankful for not crashing and still holding on to 3rd place. Then, on the last lap I went down in a turn. I was so exhausted I was barely able to pick my bike up, but did not have the energy to start it! I could see the checkered flag in front of me, so I pushed my bike to the finish line and ended up in 7th place. As I pulled into the pits there was Gordon and Brian laughing at how exhausted I was. My second moto was the next race. I took off my helmet, handed it to Gordon, and told him he was filling in for me. There was just no way in hell I could go right back out there.

Shortly after my first race, I sold my bike and moved to Seattle, Washington with my mom and younger brother. I lived there for five or 6 years. I got married to Janice and we had our first daughter. I wanted to get another bike, but kids are expensive! In 1999 Janice, our daughter Meagan, and I moved back to California. We had our second daughter in 2002. I was still wishing I could get a bike and ride, but yeah… Did I mention kids are expensive?

Finally, after 28 years of not being to afford a bike or have time to ride one, I was able to buy a used bike. I did my due diligence and decided on a 2008 Honda CRF450R. I found it on Craigslist and I was excited to ride a ‘modern’ 4-stroke.

The Honda was really fast and very heavy considering the last bike I rode was a 125. Not to mention how of riding shape I was, this was not the best choice of bikes to start riding again after 28 years off! But, I wasn’t going to let that scare me away from the sport I’ve loved all my life and wanted for so long to get back into. I started off doing some trail riding at Gorman and nearly killed myself taking an advanced trail (I was solo mind you) that led me up to the Frazier Park area. I overheated the bike several times and burned my clutch out on this adventure. I ended up peeing in the radiator just so it wasn’t empty. I let nearly all the air out of my rear tire trying to get better traction on a rocky trail I was going up. I made it to the top of the trail then took fire roads down to city streets. By this time, the sun was gone and allI had to see with were stars. Long story short, I started on this adventure at 2pm and got back to the truck at 8pm.

After that, I did a few SRA GP’s at Glen Helen praying I didn’t stall during the race because kick starts suck.

Later I heard about OTHG and I thought I’d try it out. So, I went out and a bought a new 2021 Yamaha YZ250F and started racing with the gang… and here I am!”

Tell us about your 2021 Yamaha.
“It is so much lighter than the Honda and has damn near as much power. I installed a Yoshimura full stainless exhaust system on it. Aside from that, I have not done any sort of performance modifications to it.

It has two maps that can be changed on the fly and I really like that feature. One map is hard-hitting aggressive power. I start races in this map. Then, as the race goes on and I start to get tired, I’ll switch to a less aggressive mapping to finish out.”

Tell us about your 4th OTHG National Series race that took place at Hollister Hills in September.
“I lined up just to the right of the doghouse. I almost got the holeshot both motos on Saturday. All the beginners from 30 years old up to the 52 year olds started off together. The guy on the inside of me got to the first turn before me by a wheel. When we got to the first tabletop, #95B Bryan Guntle out jumped me and made the pass. Guntle is my number one guy to beat. I think I was like 12 points behind him going into the Hollister race. He’s in first place in the 38 Beginner National points. Guntle was clearing a lot of the jumps, but I wasn’t clearing any of the jumps, nor did I pull the trigger on the elevator jump. I’m just a little hesitant because the final race of the season last year, at Perris, I broke my wrist because I came up short.

I was able to catch Travis Wolf’s brother, #877S Onnie Wolf. You couldn’t miss Onnie, he had his chest protector on and no shirt! I went 3-3 on Saturday, then 3-3 on Sunday as well. I tried to stand up as much as possible to conserve energy. My other 38 beginner competition consisted of #338S Tristan Kolomyjec, #126S Carlos Pena, and #292G Travis Wolf.

Sunday, my bike was kicking a lot in the rough sections of the track. So, I made a quick adjustment and sped up my rebound on the front and rear, as well as softening compression on both. This made a big improvement.

After surviving the 110 degree heat in Hollister, I am 16 points behind Guntle.”

What are your future plans for practicing and racing?
“I’m debating whether to sell my ’08 Honda, but I think what I’m going to do is use to practice during the week and race the 250. My theory on this is that riding a faster, heavier bike for practice will make racing the 250 feel lighter and more manageable to me. I hope.”

Do you suffer from any of the common physical conditions, like arm pump, etc?
“I very rarely get any arm pump. I think I’m pretty good at gripping the bike with my legs.”

What is your favorite national track that the Over The Hill Gang races?
“Hangtown.”

What is your favorite local track that Over The Hill Gang races?
“My absolute favorite is the Glen Helen main track.”

Seems like you and #721G Barrett Kiick are on your way to Ironman awards this year. How do you and your wife organize and attend each race?
“Yes, it’s down to Barrett and myself going into the last five races of the season and we are the only Ironmen!

It takes a lot of commitment, time, and money to be at every race. I do it all. I’m the rider, the mechanic, and even do the grocery shopping for the farther races that we take the camper to. My wife, Janice, just jumps in the truck when it’s time to go.

Sometimes, if I’m really tired after the day of racing and we don’t have the camper trailer, Janice will be nice and drive home.”

Janice: “After not riding for 28 years, I support his hobby. I am very proud of him!”

Are you planning to make the 9/11 Memorial race on Saturday, September 17th? (Interview took place in early September)
“Yes, that is fortunate that this race falls on a Saturday because I fly out to Seattle Saturday night! I am attending my half sister’s wedding on Sunday.”

You are at a disadvantage racing in a younger age group. Have you reached out to other members in the club to help improve your riding? Any shout-outs?

Well, I have talked with Chris Micklos and I think Chris could offer some great motocross technique and training. Barrett Kiick also gives me solid advice, as well as his thoughts on track layouts and suggestions on how to get around the track fastest. He’s also a pretty good cheerleader! Haha, kidding buddy.

#206G Mike Eley always gives me good encouragement.
$65G Scott Hartwick who races a 150cc and often is in front of me on race day.
#7G Brian Dodge Junior helps me out with my suspension and gives me tips.

Really though, everyone in OTHG is helpful and a great group of people to race with!”

How can we watch some of your races?
“Well, if you’re looking for something to help you get to sleep (haha), I post most of my races on my YouTube Channel.”