I was lucky to have been staying with my friend Laura from Speedwerks while at Virginia International Raceway. Speedwerks is a performance shop in Dover, Delaware and has been in business for ten years. I had the chance to meet the entire Speedwerks team and all were very nice and really into racing. Everyone at Speedwerks either races or participates in track days. The entire Speedwerks team was really excited about their participation in the AMA Formula Extreme series, and their title sponsor Orient Express. The Speedwerks Orient Express Yamaha is piloted by their new rider Trey Yonce, a 25-year old from South Carolina. Sunday morning I walked down to the track to find some breakfast and then over to Speedwerks tent to eat it, when Trey walked up with his breakfast. He was staying at the track with his Dad, right in the pits. I recognized the muffin he was holding, same one I passed up. We talked while we ate breakfast.
PK: So, where are you from?
Trey: Charleston South Carolina, actually just moved to Cottageville - which is 30 miles outside of Charleston.
PK: How did you come up in this sport?
Trey: I raced Motocross for 10 years. I had some Buddies in Charleston that started road racing. They kept telling me to try it. I borrowed a bike a pair of leathers and went and did it. Took an Ed Bargie School and from then on I was just hooked. I sold all my motocross stuff and started riding.
PK: Really?
Trey: It's our Fourth year Road racing.
PK: How long have you been with Speedwerks?
Trey: This is only my third race with them. The guy that was supposed to ride for them didn't show, missed his flight. They didn't have somebody to ride. "Thermosman" (his real name is Mike Fitzgerald) who actually works on our suspension hooked me and Steve up. We finished 3rd and qualified 5th in that race. He asked me if I would be interested in riding for him. So I said, 'Yeah'. I think we are going to do Daytona after this one for the Formula USA. Then next year we are supposed to do the full Formula USA round with Speedwerks. That will be really good.
PK: Have you done a lot of the tracks in the circuit?
Trey: Next year there will probably be a handful of tracks I haven't seen. I've only mostly seen the South Eastern stuff. I have only been doing it four years and I've been doing mostly regional stuff. We are trying to get away from that and get into the Nationals.
PK: What track are you looking forward to going on?
Trey: I would like to go to Road America and do good there. It is four and a half miles long. It is a huge track. It would be fun.
PK: How many laps is that?
Trey: I believe they run 10 laps for the 600. Like I said it is four and a half miles, so fuel is an issue and all. Here, Daytona is fun. We go to Jennings a lot down in Florida. It is mostly regional stuff, but they pay good money. They pay cash money, so we go down there and race. We usually win and can make 1200 dollars a weekend. We are looking forward to maybe doing some AMA next year. Maybe not the whole circuit, but select a few and a whole year of Formula USA next year.
PK: Do you think you will go to Laguna next year?
Trey: It is possible. We haven't really planed on it. It depends on how far Steve wants to go with it. We can't do it alone. We'll need some help to go. I would be willing to go if he is, you know definitely.
PK: What is your favorite track?
Trey: Probably VIR, so far. I enjoy riding here a lot.
PK: What do you do the night before a race?
Trey: Try to relax, try not to eat too much, drink plenty of fluids and get some good sleep. Go to bed early. Try not to dwell on it but relax and concentrate. Have a little bit of fun. Just get mentally prepared for the race.
PK: What do you usually have for breakfast?
Trey: I try not eat anything too heavy or too greasy. Maybe like a muffin and a couple of bananas, drink plenty of water. Sometimes I will have a biscuit, but very, very rarely, it's too much on the stomach.
PK: What advice would you give someone coming here to do a track day for the first time?
Trey: Not to rush it. It's a lot of line here, technical and flowing. Watch where you are going instead of trying to go fast. Maybe slow down and learn a little bit. Point the bike in the right direction, be in the right spot for the next turn. Cause every turn here leads you to the next one. If you are off on this turn you are going to be off for the next turn.
PK: What is your favorite color?
Trey: Black
PK: Favorite pizza?
Trey: Pepperoni and cheese.
PK: Do you have a lucky charm?
Trey: 238, my number. We have had it for eleven years, since I raced motocross. That's been my lucky charm.
PK: Does your Dad always come with you?
Trey: He is at every race. He is really involved in it. Loves it. He is a big help. I couldn't do it without him. He puts a lot into it.
PK: How have you done at VIR so far?
Trey: Yesterday we qualified thirteenth. Didn't get too good of a start. Went down in turn one pretty good and came out tenth, ran up to seventh place until about half way through the race. I was trying to run down those two boys in front of me, I kind of abused my tires and I started to slide around real bad. I faded back to around tenth and finish at tenth, which is good. Maybe if I hadn't abused my tires so much we could have held on. I was trying to stay with everybody, but - that's racing.
PK: What tires do you have on your bike?
Trey: Dunlop. Dunlop slicks.
PK: You like them?
Trey: Oh, yeah. They actually helped us out this year with an allotment. Dunlop gave us thirty-two tires to start the season with and we are trying to work out a deal with them for next year. They have been really good to us.
PK: Is there anyone else you want to mention?
Trey: I would like to thank Speedwerks, they have been great. Orient Express, Joe at Orient Express built the motors and did a great job. Central Cycle Sales, EBC brakes, Dunlop tires, as I have mentioned, GPR, GPR hooked us up with a steering damper, they actually gave us one for some sponsorship, would like to thank them. BP fuels. OGK for the helmets, OGK gave us two brand new helmets this year. They are a new helmet, the yellow one I had on yesterday, it is brand new. Really nice, nice helmet.
PK: What type of oil are you using in your bike?
Trey: Just Regular Castro Oil.
PK: Do you have any special events you are doing this year or organizations you will be working with?
Trey: I am working out a thing with Aaron who does the track days here at VIR and a lot at Barber. They teach people who want to get into road racing or street riders who want to get into more aggressive riding. I would like to get into that. Teach people what I do know. I am still subject to learning it myself, you know at any time. I would like to help a kid out, you never know if he is going to be the next Nicky Hayden or Valentino Rossi. I would really like to do that, teach some schools.
I think it is very cool that someone starting their racing career wants to share and teach. Everybody I have talked to says VIR is the track to do a track day at. If you are lucky enough to get to VIR to do a track day hopefully you will get to spend some quality time with Trey. Let me know if you do, it would be great to hear how he is doing teaching, since it is something he really wants to do.
SpeedWerks specializes in building championship-winning race bikes and track bikes. Speedwerks also builds street bikes, drag bikes, and cruisers, but their main focus is racing. One year ago, they branched out and opened an online store to better service their existing customers, and to branch out to a bigger market. You can find out more info about Speedwerks on their web site by visiting speedwerks.com. Orient Express helps make motorcycles faster! They're also a sponsor of Bikeland.org. You can visit Orient Express at their website orientexpress.com
Source: Bikeland.org
Photos: Bikeland.org and Laura Roach