Privateer Profile: Kyle Partridge
Wednesday, August 24, 2011 | 1:25 PM
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Las Vegas native Kyle Partridge has been hitting the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship this summer as a member of the DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha crew. Partridge hasn’t been racing the 250F like the rest of the team however; he’s been on the 450 as Star brought him along in a special side deal. Partridge has been just outside the points most of the year in the tough 450 class. I caught up to KP to get his take on his season and next year as well.
Racer X: Kyle, thanks for doing this. Talk about your season so far this summer. Seems like you’re right inside or outside the points every moto.
Kyle Partridge: I think a lot of that is due to my starts; they’ve been terrible for the most part. I had a good start in Washougal; I was running ninth or tenth for the first ten minutes or so before dropping a few spots back. It seemed that every good guy got a bad start that moto or something. Reed came by me and I tried my hardest to run his pace for a few laps and I even came up on him at one point. I rode with him for a few laps but his pace was so gnarly, I backed it down a bit. It might have been too much though, guys were getting back by me. Then, I started throwing up for some reason. I don’t know if it’s what I ate or what, but I went from thirteenth to sixteenth. That was the best I’ve done so far.
I kind of came into the outdoors with no preparation really. I wasn’t planning on riding them. I was just going to take a job in Vegas but then the deal came along with the casino and I had a couple of days on the bike before Hangtown and away we went. I am struggling with set-up on the bike really badly, I think the new Yamaha 450 isn’t the easiest bike to get going right away and having the right set-up is important. I have no base set-up. I’ve tested maybe 30 minutes and that’s about it.
Partridge currently sits 37th in the points standings.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
It’s got to be tough for your team to get you up and going as well because they’re a 250F team and don’t have any real experience with the 450.
Yeah exactly, it’s tough for them, as well. It’s frustrating for everyone but I kind of knew this was going to happen because they are a Lites team. There literally is no R&D, no development on the 450 from them, and why would there be? So both of us didn’t know much about the machine going in. At the same time, Enzo Racing does our suspension and I think they could set up one day for me to test and that’s yet to happen. That sucks also with Alan Brown getting let go, he did a good job and would really would sit down and talk with me.
It’s like my mechanic and I are outcasts. I ride for Star Racing but I don’t feel like I’m part of the team. I think that between Alan and Bobby (Regan, the owner) it was, like you said in your write-up, a lack of communication between Alan and Bobby. When Alan wanted to do something, he had to go to Bobby to ask and it usually wouldn’t happen. It’s super-frustrating riding for a team that is a Lites program only. Cunningham is killing it for them and Brad (Hoffman) is busting his ass on the motors and you can see the work is paying off, Kyle is one of the only guys to run with the Pro Circuit guys.
So I take it you’re not a fan of Alan getting let go from the team?
That’s something that really bothered me a lot. He’s the only guy on the team that would talk with me. Cunningham is like a little brother to me, I’ve known him forever but his dad and him are about it. The other riders are cool as well but being part of the team is communicating with everyone on the team. Bobby Regan is a very old school, southern guy. He’s straight to the point whenever he says what he has to say. He’s said some things that are pretty ruthless to me.
I’ve ridden for some teams in the past like Motoworld and BooKoo with (David) Vuillemin, and I had more fun with them than anyone. It was fun going to the races. There was no pressure, but at the same time, there was internal pressure from myself to do well. I’ve told the Star guys that riding for them hasn’t been fun.
So maybe I know the answer to this next question but this is the first time in a number of years you’ve ridden outdoors, how do you like racing motocross now?
This is the first time in four years I’ve ridden the nationals and if I weren’t having fun out on the track, I would’ve stopped racing. I’m having fun riding my dirt bike but it’s not fun riding a bike that isn’t set-up for me and making me 100 percent comfortable. That’s a huge deal on that bike. You can ask anyone that rides it. It’s definitely fun for me having some help. After San Diego SX, I had zero help, I couldn’t even get a free t-shirt. I was driving to the races. I was staying with Davi (Millsaps) and he was helping me out by paying for some flights. Which I think there aren’t too many guys who can say they are starting next to a guy they’re racing against who is paying for their flights to the race. Then the casino stepped up for me big-time and helped me out the last seven rounds, it’s been huge for me.
Partridge finished 34th overall at Unadilla.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Sounds like there are some big plans in the works for you next year though and if it all works out, you should be happier.
Yeah definitely, I’m excited for what I’m working on for next year. It should be great. I’m super pumped about what’s in the works. It should be known pretty soon here and I think it will make it fun to go to the races with people that I’ve grown up with since I’ve been five years old. It’s more of my atmosphere and I’ll be home, I won’t have to travel to SoCal to test, everything will be right here. And I think the guys I’ll be riding with, I’ll have guys to help me and push me.
Some people might like to know what’s going on with your older brother Jason who once was a top amateur racer.
My brother is doing well. He’s here in Vegas running my dad’s business. My dad passed away a few years ago and he’s now running it. He was working for FMF and then White Brothers and then when that company fell apart they let my brother go. So he had an opportunity to work in the industry but he decided to come home and take our family business over. I remember watching my brother beat Ricky (Carmichael) and (Charlie) Bogard and all those guys but then he got hurt really bad and that set him back.
Who do you want to thank?
First and foremost Sycuan Casino, DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha, FMF, Cosworth, Scott USA, Boots at 2Up Minis, and my mechanic Sean.
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Keep pushing Kyle. You have all the skills these top guys have and more. It's all mental. Know you can run up front and you will. Kyle's smooth effortless style was even apparent on a bicycle since he was a little kid. Born with natural ability on wheels like no other I've seen. We support you 100% in Vegas and it's good to see your name out there every week representing. Stay healthy bud.
Hey Kyle keep working hard, you will land a great ride. It's really great to support a local rider on the national scene. I've been passed so many times by Kyle at our local tracks that I felt I went back in time. Keep rollin' Kyle the V-Town boys are with you.
Go man, I wish you good luck, it's people like you who make the sport.
GoGogo rder Kyle! yehaw dog!
Keep up the hard work Kyle! Props for making the best out of a bad situation. I wish you the best.
Go Kyel Go! gogogo
Had the "priviledge" of meeting this kid a few different times when cameras werent around. This guy is an absolute prick. Watched him try to pick a fight with a guy less than half his size (5'3" about 125), when the guy Kyle actually had beef with was actually with the little guy's friend, and that guy wasnt even around. This guy is a coward that uses his height to bully others.
please tell me when this happened cause I can assure you I don't remember this....
Hey Kyle, don't worry about it man. People post crap like that about every rider. This Guy? is just another attention seeker trying to soil the reputation of a solid rider. Best of luck to you for the rest of the year and next year.
Kyle is a cool cat always . He was helping out a lot of the local kids last summer while he was hurt . He was funny , honest , and an all around good guy . Good Luck with everything
I have raced with Kyle in the past most recently in Puerto Rico for an invite SX race. he is in no way a prick, you just have to let him be him. sure, he isn't fag boy dungey but id rather chill with kyle any day than that little douche. KP is just hard core but he is a nice funny person all in all. Plus, who hasn't picked a fight in their day? "this guy", your a dumb @$$
What the heck is it with that 2010-11 YZ450F??
KP said: "I’m having fun riding my dirt bike but it’s not fun riding a bike that isn’t set-up for me and making me 100 percent comfortable. That’s a huge deal on that bike. You can ask anyone that rides it."
That seems to sum up about 95% of KP's current situation. Tough it out for a few more rounds, then get off that blue bike, forever.
Kyle has a ton of talent, but not much for drive. He could and should be a top 10 g
kyle is a prick he tried picking a fight at a race here in utah. he complained that he has a family to feed and that everyone needs to not race him so closely and he just complained about pros from utah. i've met him several times and he's a dick!
damn no love KP? he's helped me to decent positioning in my fantasy gaming world, so my love is his.
very insightful interview! Trashing that team, risky.
This interview went like Weston Piecks did right after SX season ended.
Pieck complained about his "outgoing" team, for not wanting to help him campaign the outdoor season (on Yamaha by the way) and how he wanted to ride a Kawi.'
Then, days later he wrote a "Apology" (clarification) letter to RacerX to try and clean up the mess.
Kyle basically does the same thing.
People B!TCH when all we hear is the same darn GENERIC suk up thank you's
from the riders, and don't say anything, and then when a rider has the gumption to be HONEST and tell it like it is and how he feels and how he wishes his results and the team were better, he gets crucified for it.
I say WAY TO GO KYLE, AND WESTON, FOR BEING HONEST
I RESPECT BOTH OF YOU MORE FOR HONESTY!!!!!!
Good luck in your racing.........................................jairtimesuks
quit bit***** fellow...your riding a dirtbike as a job for now! i'd ride one of those bikes from "winners take all" if I had to!
Does seem to be basically complaining that nobody is doing anything for him. Probably not the kind of guy you want talking to the media....
He's a heart breaker that's for sure. I'm proud of everything Kyle is accomplishing, and I hope the best for him & Landon (his son). Kyle is one of the fastest guys at the Boulder City track here in Vegas. People talk crap about him all the time. He's fast, but his physical skill level has nothing to do with is emotional level. During supercross he was stressed out the whole time, no one was willing to help him before Millsaps. I've heard about this deal he is doing next year and I'm super excited for him. I think these guys are what he needs for his motivation. He's going to be a part of this team. & as far as Kyle being a prick...there is different variables that come & go with that. He's the sweetest guy ever, and Kyle would give the shirt off his back for anyone who...deserved it from him? I love you Kyle & wish the best of luck to your racing career. I hope you're doing well.
I don't know the guy, but even if he was a toublemaker before, he has a kid now, and that usually changes people for the better, he's riding not only for himself now, but a family.
Its also curious why star wouldn't test for him?
Kyle is most definitely a prick. He has been kicked off tracks in Vegas and Cali for numerous reasons. When the camera turns off, his true colors show. I was at a Supercross a few years back when he was yelling at his pregnant girlfriend and left her there! This guy is why our sport has such a bad rap for our riders. I've seen him take people out for no reason, pick fights for no reason, it's all because he needs to make up for what he lacks on the track. PRICK.
Lets clear some things up.... I am reading these things about what you people have to say.. When I was in Utah I did indeed get into an argument with someone. Let me tell you the story. I am racing for money lets not forget that here.... NOT a TROPHY!! When your lively hood is on the line you do what you gotta do to make your money correct? So I put an aggressive pass on a guy that in a REAL super cross wouldn't have been anything.. I was in an arena that 50's were jumping every jump on the track, so you had to be aggressive to make some passes. Then some kids were standing on the side of the track after the finish line throwing rocks at me and flipping me off every time I came around!! So like most of you would be I was pretty upset!! So ya I went and said something to them like most any one would do. I have never once been kicked out of a track in Vegas or California. I may have made some mistakes in my past when I was 17 or 18 yrs old because Ill be the first one to say it.. I thought my shit didn't stink... Also as far as my sons mother goes.... I never once yelled at her at the races and left her anywhere. Her and I were certain to make sure we never brought our problems to the races because I was there to do my job... Let me also say this... As far as Star racing goes... They do have a solid "lites" program. I think your all taking out of context what I am trying to say... I am simply saying in this interview that I felt like I wasn't a part of a team due to there lack of knowing anything about the 450. Not there fault as they are a lites team. I do however think that to be fully 100% comfortable on a motorcycle you need to have some sort of base setting to be at the level of the other guys your racing against, in outdoor nationals especially. Which in order to have that "base setting" you would therefor need to test some different options to see what you like. I will be the first person to tell you that I would rather have a bike that handles good than one thats got tons of motor work done to it... Lets not get to carried away here. I have all the respect in the world for Bobby Ragean he does this because he has a passion for our sport. For anyone who truly knows me I keep it pretty real on and off the track! I am not a robot like these other guys are that you see on tv. I speak my mind.. I am by no means saying this team is not a good lites team cause I think the guys on the team results speak for themselves. I do appreciate the opportunity that they gave me because without there help I would of not been racing.
What other rider do you see talking crap to fans on this website? I know first hand from Chris Blose Kyle got kicked off Hart and Huntingtons track. If he was such a talented rider why would he have to pay to be on dnx? This guy is accost asshole and most people who know him know that!
Ab
Why don't you ask Chris why he wasn't allowed to ride at the track?? If I recall it involved Chris's gf ex miss sx texting him. Kyle rode the last 2 years prior to this year with a torn acl in his knee and he got it fixed last year after sx and was off the bike for 7 months. Not saying thats an excuse. Just saying he is a good rider and I think with all the right ingredients will do something good.
Also I don't see him talking any crap to any fans... I think he is just telling us what he was trying to say in this interview. Kyle is a good guy and I think like someone else wrote has a kid now and isn't the same person many of you guys remember.. I commend him for admitting that he used to think his shit didn't stink not many kids I know will admit when they know they are wrong!
DIDNT HE START SOME SHIT BY MAKING BLOCK PASS AFTER BLOCK PASS IN THE AM ONLY SUPERCROSS A YEAR OR TO AGO????
ALSO I LIKE RIDERS THAT WEAR THERE EMOTIONS ON THERE SLEEVE AND A RIDDER THAT WILL DO SOME RUBBBING! RUBBING IS RACING
THE AM ONLY SUPERCROSS IN VEGAS I THINK IT WAS
Let me tell all the hater's out there..if ya dnt no kyle, shutt your mouth.. Ive known him & his family for year's. kyle never give's up , he is a amazing father . Ya everybody , every rider has there badd day's.. but when he was out in arizona training in 100 degree weather throwing lap's down on a box stock bike ..training for super cross liveing outta of his truck , staying with friends ..that take's dedication & heart.. I my self race & train rider's & wrk with pro's all over the west coast.. by far he is the coolest pro rider's i have ever worked for ...
Why people talk shit & talk down to kyle is that he is strait up , no bull shitting ..a strait up man . if ya ask him "hey kyle ..how ya like the bike ..how' does it work " & he replies back ... its a pile of shitt... well 99% of the time he is rite.
People-Fan's dont like honesty ... well suck it up & take it with a grain of salt.. all the shitt talker's that bagg on privateer's .. well you the " FAN'S " why don't you throw your leg ove a 450 & try to do a 30 min. moto..ya probily couldn't .. so shut your mouth .
Kyle is a strait up man. if ya dnt like what he says .. well just dont leave a comment ...
good job so far this year Kyle ... GARRAT'S !!!
Kyle I watched/rooted for you, at the IMS Sprint a couple weeks back here in Cali, your a rad dude. These haters wont stop regardless of the truth being told or not, f*** em! You kill it all day long, and not to mention you got a dialed g00n whip haha.
Keep it real, and have fun with what you do!
To any one who hates Kyle is one of the best guys to meet. He is a single dad who treats his son along with anyone else in his life with the world. He has struggled this yeah with bad teams and bad bikes but nothing can take away from the talent he has. He isn't a porcell who gives up when something is bad. He pushes through and makes it work. Everyone will see that when he has good people behind him who help and want the same goal he will amaze you!!!
To Rachel and the rest of you idiots, you got it wrong people. The people that know Kyle know what a talented and down to earth rider he is. Did I mention, a wonderful father. You people have no idea what your talking about and need to keep your ignorant comments to yourself. And to Kyle, Hating is the sincerest form of flattery.
It's sad that now people wanna discredit this guy with lies or even real stupid things that probably have happened to anyone sometimes in life.
The Yamaha 450F is very hard to set up and I totally understand what Kyle says.
Kyle I love you!! lol haters make you more famous just kick back and soak it up.. everyone that knows you knows how rad you are..who cares if youve stuffed someone off a berm..anyone that knows how to race stuff people when you have to its a part of racing so all you cry baby b@!#tchs that are crying about getting stuffed go find a new hobby because its gonna happen...the best of the best get taken out and they dont go cry about it..and i know first hand about the h&h blose deal...if chris's chick wasnt such a slut kyle would still be riding that track its not his fault chris cant keep his chick in check and goes and cries to the team manager about it...anyways much love kyle keep your love and passion in this sport itll work out for you!!!
You dont know why you were throwing up? It must have been something you ate? Its called being out of shape and actually pushing yourself!
A true professional should NEVER discredit a team the way he does in this article. Every team manager who reads this article is making a mental note on never hiring this guy.
I have worked in this industry for 20 odd something years. I will be the first to say that while working with Kyle he was the always very appreciative and said thank you to me more than any other rider I was working with... I was a gear guy for a team he rode for. I called him after Washougal cause we have kept a pretty tight relationship over the years to tell him good ride in the first moto and he said he ate a little to late before the first moto and thinks thats why he was throwing up. He said he never threw up prior to that and Washougal was the half way point of the series. I don't feel as if he's discrediting the team at all I think he is just showing his frustration due to there lack of setting up a test day with him while all the other guys on the team were testing suspension. Good luck to you Kyle I know these are mostly bench racers so take it with a grain of salt!!
K.P has helped out my son, all summer last year. He isnt just a good rider, he is a great trainer and friend. He has a great attitude which made it fun and he pushed my son to become a better rider. Thank you Kyle.
Kyle has worked with my son. He is a stand up guy. Kyle they are so jealous they cannot see straight. Work hard and tear it up. Haters suck! You have so many fans you do not need the jerks!
anyone on here who is hating on kp isnt much of a racer, much less a rider. any one would be able to see that he is a hardworking man. to throw up in a moto doesnt mean out of shape (joejoe) that means he is pushing. lets see you go ride a 30 plus two moto and pace reed for a few laps. kyle has had a string of bad luck with james landing on him ot red seven closing the doors to now going to a lites team on a 450 and trying his best. he never talked down on anyone he just layed out the facts how they are. star isnt a 450 team and seams they have no interest in it. once again a bad deal for kp but he always provales so watch for him in 2012 to kill it and shut everyone up. KP your my boy stay strong and let these haters bring you to the top!!!!!
All you haterz out ther need to shut up. Cause probably none of you can do what KP can do. Are you guys really that dumb? Did you people not learn the "If you don't have something nice to say then don't say it at all?" Cause i'm pretty sure I learned that back in I don't know... FREAKIN KINDERGARDEN????? All you haterz only have internet muscles and no nothing else about Kyle. All you guys hear is one little rumor from some moron and you take that and use it as an insult. What kind of ignornant people are you? All I see here is a man trying to earn his living, and all you people keep trying to bring him down. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Good luck Kyle!
Ok lets get this straight, all you haters think that he is a self center prick? Well i was at the arenacross in Orem, and i will tell you right now that track was extremely one lined and if you were to even try to make a pass on that track you had to get aggressive. If i were a pro and i was racing for money to support my kid if i had one, yeah i would stuff someone in a corner to. That's all he did. He didn't purposely do anything to piss anyone off. By the way IT'S MOTOCROSS, get over it or don't race. There is no reason for you guys to hate because of something so stupid. You haters are the ones that are going to drag the sport down!
I think it is funny that Kyle had to post something on his Facebook so people would stick up for him. I understand what y'all are saying and I totally agree. But I have first hand experience with Kylr at race here in Cali where he is a completely disrespectful person. I am kust being up front about this asshole who lies and shouldn't be in the business with that kind of problem and I'm sure you would say the same exact things
KP76 your the asshole here
I have met Kyle and I have seen him out at the track here in vegas quite a few times and never once have I ever seen him be disrespectful or a dick to anyone. Actually I have seen him act quite the opposite. Even when I first talked to him while he was getting ready to race he wasnt a dick. And most people dont want to talk and will ignore you when their on the line. He is a nice guy and is not rude to anyyy one that comes up. Yea he speaks his mind about things but that isnt a bad thing and he isnt rude about it. Just shows that he isnt afraid to say what he believes. Everyone that hates on him does notttt know Kyle at all.
Excuses and complaining about what you don't have and haven't done are a good recipie for failure. It's not hard to see that your better days are behind you. Perhaps it's time to get a real job so that you can support your family. There are plenty of guys who would be more than grateful to trade places with you. Enjoy your memories of days gone by and move on.
So I'm over a month late reading this, but reading the replies and I think that most of you guys/girls whatever, here are complete morons. Kyle is a great rider and is ALWAYS nice to his fans. Never in the many amount of times that my dad and I have seen him/talked to him has he been rude, he's nothing but gracious to his fans because it's the fans that will always support the rider.