Rider Spotlight: Reese Wacker
Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Fast Facts
- Birth Date
September 20, 1989
- Birth Place
St. Louis, Missouri
- Hometown/ Residence
Jacksonville, Florida
- Height
6-1
- Weight
180
- Marital Status
In a relationship
- Rider Bio
- Social
Photos of Reese
AMAPro: Where are you from?
RW: I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but have lived in Jacksonville, Florida for the past 14 years. I don’t really know anything other than Florida since I moved here when I was 8 years old. I don’t really remember anything about St. Louis other than the snow.
AMAPro: What was your first motorcycle?
RW: My first bike was a 1987 Kawasaki KD80. I still have it! It’s a trophy in my garage. It still runs, metal gas tank and all. I rode it at a motocross track here in Florida and beat the crap out of it. (Laughs)
AMAPro: How did you get into riding motorcycles?
RW: I always loved dirtbikes and four-wheelers when I was a kid. When we moved down to Florida, we used to go to the motorcycle dealerships all the time, just to look at bikes. Finally, we saw that Kawasaki KD80 on sale for $800. Buying that bike led into racing national motocross until I turned 18, where I then transitioned into road racing.
AMAPro: Is motorcycle racing a family thing?
RW: My family is involved now, but growing up, it wasn’t a family sport. My dad used to race four-wheelers as a fun thing, but I was the only one who rode or raced motorcycles.
AMAPro: How many AMA Pro classes do you race in?
RW: I have raced AMA Pro SuperSport, Daytona SportBike and SuperBike. For 2012, I’ve signed on to ride the Daytona 200 for MOB Racing. I want to focus on that, because I feel that the team and myself are good enough to finish top 10, if not top five. For the rest of the season, my plans are in the air, but I would like to race SuperBike again. My main focus is on doing well in the 2012 Daytona 200, but if MOB Racing wants me to race more Daytona SportBike races, I would be up for it!
AMAPro: What's your favorite racetrack?
RW: VIR. For some reason, that track and I just click.
AMAPro: What's your favorite class?
RW: I love them all, but I really like riding my SuperBike. The GSX-R1000 is so light and fast.. Just turning the throttle pulls me out of the corner. I guess I just like the challenge of riding the SuperBike. It’s a bit more challenging to ride. The class itself is awesome to be able to ride with all the top riders in the series.
AMAPro: What's the coolest bike you've ridden?
It would have to be my GSX-R1000. All I’ve ever ridden were Suzukis, so I don’t really know anything else. The power, handling and feel of it is incredible.
AMAPro: What draws you to the sport? The competition, thrill or speed?
RW: I love riding racing motorcycles. The feel I get when I’m going through the corner, inches off the ground… There’s nothing like it. I love drafting behind people and passing them.. ah. I can’t really explain it.
AMAPro: What’s a typical day like for you, when you’re not at the track?
RW: Typically, Sunday through Thursday, I have a full-time job as an 18-Wheeler technician in Jacksonville. I’m up at 5:00am and working until 3:30pm. Afterwards, it’s off to the gym. In my spare time, I’m always at the motocross track or training on my roadbike.
AMAPro: What are your expectations going into 2012 in the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Class?
RW: I would like to continue progressing as a rider, like I have been. I’ve gone from a 20th place rider to a top 15th place finisher. I want to definitely get some top 10 finishes!
AMAPro: Who’s your racing hero?
RW: I can’t really pin point one person, because there are so many phenomenal riders out there. For motocross, it would have to be Ricky Carmichael and Travis Pastrana. Pastrana’s broken almost every bone in his body and loves the sport enough to keep coming back for more. On the road racing side, Josh Hayes is an insane rider. I saw him ride at the tire test, and his riding style impressed me.
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