Chad Wienen Interview: Can-Am / Motoworks Pro ATV >> Continued

Chad Wienen found himself spectating more than racing at the 1st two rounds of the 2009 AMA Pro ATV MX Season before he got into a groove of 6 straight Podium finishes

ATVriders.com: You had a little bit of bad luck at the start of the season but came back to be in contention for the championship. What did you do differently to get back up there?
Chad Wienen: Well, I felt great at the beginning of the season, but we had a few issues. I knew the Kawasaki had the potential, so we got everything worked out. I had a few issues again later in the season with some first corner pile-ups that held me back also.

ATVriders.com: It must get frustrating when that happens. What do you do to get over that frustration and keep focused?
Chad Wienen: I just try to take it one week at a time and keep focused on the next race. You can’t let it get to you because you can’t be a head case out on the track. You have to be 100% focused on what you’re doing.

On September 30th, it was announced that Chad Wienen signed on with Motoworks / Can-Am & he would make his racing debut on the DS450 at the Montreal Supercross on October 3rd

ATVriders.com: So why not stay with Kawasaki?
Chad Wienen: Well, Kawasaki never really gave me a definite answer on what was going on next year, and Can-Am / Motoworks made me an offer.

ATVriders.com: I’m sure you had other offers on the table; what made you decide to go with the Can-Am Motoworks team?
Chad Wienen: There’s a couple of reasons. Can-Am has great backing and they really support racing and Motoworks seems like they have a really solid program and they have had really good success out west. They want to win a championship and so do I, so it just seemed like the right choice for me.

Ryan Cox has moved with Chad Wienen as his mechanic over the last 3 years from Suzuki, Kawasaki, and now Can-Am

ATVriders.com: You also have Ryan Cox as your mechanic for 2010. How’s that working out so far?
Chad Wienen: Yes, Ryan is a monumental part of the team and I am really excited to have him as my mechanic. He has done an awesome job so far and I’m looking forward to working with him for 2010.

ATVriders.com: To help curb any rumors for next year, are you on a one year or two year contract with Can-Am Motoworks?
Chad Wienen: I have a two year contract with Motoworks.

ATVriders.com: Have you had much practice time on the Can-Am?
Chad Wienen: Not a lot, but I feel really comfortable on the Can-am; more comfortable than I did on the Kawasaki.

Chad Wienen won his Can-Am / Motoworks racing debut at the Montreal ATV Supercross Race with his new team mate John Natalie finishing in the 2nd Spot

ATVriders.com: You pretty much proved that when you won the 2009 Montreal Supercross. How did it feel to go out there on a brand new quad and still take the win?
Chad Wienen: It felt really good to take that win and I think the Montreal Supercross was a great place to debut the team because they have so many fans that show up for that event. I really wish there was a 7-8 race supercross series here in the U.S. I think something like that would really help to get more fans involved and bring more recognition to our sport.