Episode Transcript
[00:00:05] Speaker A: Hello, everybody, and welcome back to another episode of Arena Talk, where we talk all things AMA Arena Cross, presented by Kickr Performance Audio. My name is Zach Heron. I'm your host once again joined by Danny Stu. And this week, we're catching up with the west coast phenom Brandon Ray, AKA B Ray. This guy can do a little bit of everything from throwing some of the biggest whips you've ever seen to stealing main event wins here in Arena Cross. B Ray, how you doing, man?
[00:00:27] Speaker B: I'm doing great, man. How's yourself doing great.
[00:00:30] Speaker A: Excited to talk to you and to have you here for the 2024, 2025 Arena Cross Series.
Right off the bat, let's talk about it. It's been about two years since we've seen you. You're coming back for some injuries, but, man, the last time we saw you, I believe it was Prescott, Denver and Reno that we saw you a few years ago at. You're the guy that, when you show up on the gate, you can bet B. Ray is going to make a splash, whether you're battling with the number one or battling your way into the main events. Your guy that comes out swinging no matter what the situation.
[00:00:56] Speaker B: Yes. So, I mean, I guess you could say that. So.
[00:00:59] Speaker A: Well, let's talk about it. I mean, some of these riders, you know, maybe don't want to get in the fight in the mix, especially if they're not doing the full series. What's the mentality like when you show up to the gate, whether you're lined up against somebody like Kyle Peters, Ryan Breese, or whether you're at a local race? What's kind of the mentality that you've got taken to the line?
[00:01:16] Speaker B: I just. I just want to win, man.
I'm a racer at heart, you know, so I want to win every time I get on the track. I don't really care if I'm in the series or not. And I'm pretty sure that Prescott showed that, you know, some people were pissed about that, but I don't really care at the end of the day because I know, like, a lot of times it could be the same thing other way around, you know, so we're all racers when we show up to the gate, and it's just who wants it the most. And half the. Like, more than half the time, I know that I want it the most, so I use that to my advantage.
[00:01:48] Speaker A: Hey, absolutely. And the motivation is clearly there. Like you talked about, we go back to Prescott. You got into it with the number one. Not only on the track, but some words exchanged off the track as well. And as a, as a fan, as an announcer, I'm a fan of that. You're a guy that, hey, I'm going to do what I'm going to do on the track. But you're, you're ready to back it up off the track as well. And obviously there's some tempers, there's some emotions in arena Cross, and you're not the kind of guy to shy away from that.
[00:02:11] Speaker B: Yeah, no, I mean, I'm not. I don't like to have problems with people, and I'm glad that me and Cal put that behind us, you know, But I definitely back it up off the track if you want to come up and say some stuff, you know, and I'm all about. Respect is the biggest thing too. So, like, if something happens on the track and you want to talk about it, after you come up to me, respectfully, I'm gonna be respectful back to you, you know, so, like, that's how it's going to be. My dad raised me up that way, so. But if you're going to come up being a, you know, I'm a dick, I'm gonna be a dick right back. So that's, that's how it is. That's how I was raised, and that's how it's going to be.
[00:02:43] Speaker A: Hey, you can take it, you can give it right back now, Danny. That's what I was just about to say. You were there in person. You got to see this. The fireworks, the style, it all just comes with the B Ray package, 100%.
[00:02:53] Speaker C: I was telling you earlier how I feel like, you know, we always ask the person with the red plate or the number one plate, you know, the weight that comes with that. We always want to know from the guy who has the number one plate, do you feel like you have a target on your back? And I feel like when you're on the gate, that person with the number one plate, they have the target on their back. You're not intimidated by it at all. You want to beat that person. And here at AMA Arena Cross, that person is Kyle Peters. Would you. Would you agree with that? Are you intimidated by the guy who's supposedly like, this is his house, or do you see him has. That's the guy I have to beat.
[00:03:28] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, obviously when I first went down race arena cross, yeah, like, I seen the number one play on my thing. Like, you know, I've always, I've actually always looked up the calpeters like I've. Even before you started winning Arena Cross, just in normal rate, like Supercross and all that stuff, I liked watching him ride and all that. So yes, I was intimidated a little bit when I first showed up. But then once I realized that I had the speed that I actually can hang with them, I was like, okay, like I'm not really intimidated no more. And now when I show up, like he's just another guy that I'm racing, you know, I don't look at the number one and get intimidated by it. And you know, and you know, who knows, maybe might not be the fastest guy this coming year. So we'll see how that plays out.
[00:04:09] Speaker A: It's going to be exciting to see for sure. Now, now, as far as Arena Cross in general, what about this series catches your eye? Obviously you're a guy where, you know, you can race a lot of stuff on the west coast, you can do certain events here and there, but to commit to a full series here in Arena Cross, what about it is, is attractive to you? Is it the close racing? Is it feeling like you are, you know, maybe one of those guys that can be the guy to beat? What specifically made you decide? I'm going to put this on my calendar?
[00:04:34] Speaker B: Yeah, definitely. On my last part, you said, like, I can be the guy to beat. Like, I went out there and I showed that I had really good speed for Arena Cross. And the biggest decision, oh, I made the decision to race Arena Cross this year was I've been out this whole past year, so I know it's going to be harder to go and race Supercross and Arena Cross just comes a little bit easier to me. You know, I'm still working the same. I'm working, actually I'm working harder than what I was.
And I love the tight racing. I love how aggressive it is and you know, and I'm not afraid, afraid to bring bars or anything like that. So I love all that. And Arena Cross has a little bit of shorter, you know, races, you know, and all that. So I like that a little bit more too. That plays in my advantage.
So, yeah, that's like some of the reasons why I love Arena Cross and that's why I'm committing to the whole season this, this year.
[00:05:26] Speaker A: Definitely going to be exciting to watch. Now, round one is Reno, Nevada. That's relatively close to you. Arguably your home race, closest one you.
[00:05:34] Speaker B: Yes, it is. Yep.
[00:05:35] Speaker A: So that, let's talk about that. That is, that's starting off the season right and then you can start things off on the right Foot or the wrong foot. I'm sure probably gonna have some friends, some family come out to the race. What are you looking forward to there for round one?
[00:05:47] Speaker B: I mean, I definitely want to come off, come out with a bang. You know, I, I'm extremely nervous about it, but I'm hoping that as I get more time on the bike, on the tracks, like the nerves will go away. But like I said, I just want to come out with a bang. You know, I'm just focused and I'm motivated as I've ever been and I'm working the hardest and I've ever have. So definitely going to be shooting to come out on the, on the spa, at least on the podium. Like I don't want to set my expect expectations too high. So if I like don't get a podium or something, I'm not going to be bummed and ruin the rest of the season, you know, because at the end of it's the turtle and the rabbit race. Like a lot of times I am the, the rabbit but I'm not the turtle, which is, you know, Cal Peters is super consistent. That's what makes him champion that he is. So I don't want to get go out there with these big expectations and lose and just crush it for the, you know, the rest of the season. So.
[00:06:39] Speaker A: Gonna be fun to watch for sure. Danny. I mean I think he hit the nail on the head start things off with a bang.
[00:06:44] Speaker C: I mean he did say last year bang or be banged in in one of the interviews.
His own words right there. But no be is one rider with plenty of speed and style and to hear him actually talk about trying to find that balance between the speed, style and also consistency is I feel like that right there. I don't think I ever heard even a glimmer of thought in that sense from him in the past. So he's definitely two years has matured quite a bit as a racer and I like, I like that he is not coming in thinking it's win or bust at round one. To me that's like the biggest takeaway for, for him right now.
[00:07:20] Speaker A: Well, and I think you hit the nail on head maturity, right with, with time comes a little bit more experience and a more realization. Hey, you know, being right there in the beginning is great, but at the end you want to be holding up to number one at the end of the season. Now, now, Brandon, as far as the field goes, you said just a little bit earlier you're not really a guy that gets wigged out or gets scared by anybody. But we've got some big names that are going to be lining up this year. Obviously. Kyle Peters back, Ryan Bree, you've got somebody like Robbie Wageman, you've got guys like Vince Freezy who you maybe have not had as much experience racing. What does that do for you? Is it excitement? Man, I'm going to be banging bars with some big names or is it like, oh, I'm gonna have to really eat my Wheaties every morning to get ready to show up and bring my A game each and every single round?
[00:08:01] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, obviously when it was coming to make the decision to race arena cross, like, you know, these, like, it wasn't the word wasn't out that these other guys were racing. I thought it was still going to be Peters and Breeze, which, you know, which was last year, you know, and I watched every single race last year and I'm like, oh, man, I can hang with these guys. But now with all these, the words of other people coming out is like, dang, like, I really gotta have to eat my Wheaties like you said. But I'm all for it, you know, like, more competition, the better. And the better it'll feel at the end if I can come on the top step of the podium, you know. But yeah, like, you know, there are like, obviously, like, you have to be careful with some of the people that you just mentioned, you know, Definitely don't want to start off on the wrong foot with some people out there. So definitely gotta watch myself and just, you know, be nice to people.
But other than that, like, I'm excited for it, honestly.
[00:08:55] Speaker A: So, yeah, I definitely don't want to make any enemies right off the bat. But you've also said, hey, if you're ready to give it to me, I'm going to give it right back. So it might work out in your favor for sure. It's definitely going to be exciting. Now you did, you touched a little bit on the expectations as far as, you know, shooting for podiums, consistent top fives and stuff like that. Is, is that kind of the overall goal? What, what are you feeling as far as you said you've been training a lot, fitness wise. What are the thoughts and expectations headed into the season?
[00:09:21] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, obviously, like, the main goal is that I want to win, right? That's, that's it. I want to win, but, like, I'll be happy with top five podiums, you know, like, obviously as the season going goes on, my expectations are going to get higher, you know, but this first round I definitely want to leave on the podium, it just, it would just feel really good, especially being off for a whole year, just coming back from a knee injury and like a knee injury. Injuries are no joke, you know, And I've been doing the best that I can. You know, I haven't had that long to actually put my nose to the grindstone, but I'm just gonna give it my all. I'm gonna give it whatever I got, you know, like every time I get on the track, I give it all I got, you know, and I, I'm either, you know, I'm going fast or I'm on the ground. So.
[00:10:08] Speaker A: Hey, you're gonna leave it all.
[00:10:11] Speaker C: Danny, Right there is the B Ray that I know.
[00:10:14] Speaker A: And that's what I was going to ask Danny. Obviously, you know, Brandon might this first time talking to one another, but you can even see it in the guy's writing style. The guy just, he oozes energy, right? He's the kind of guy, he's obviously sounds like he's a great interview and then he's got the speed and he's got the style to back it up. That's got to be somebody exciting for some, someone like you to shoot and to watch and to be able to bring that kind of personality to AMA kicker, Arena cross.
[00:10:37] Speaker C: Well, I'm curious right now. You missed a lot of time because of your knee. How much time have you had on the bike? How are you feeling? Have you been able to get out on a supercross or an Arena Cross track? And do you feel like right now you're going to show up to Reno with the speed and intensity that you had last time we saw you?
[00:10:55] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, in real honesty, I feel like I'm a little bit behind just on a few things. The bikes I'm riding now may not even be the bikes I'm racing. So that's kind of, you know, that's a little bit like, like I said, I'm. I feel like I'm a little bit behind on that stuff, but I have been able to get on a supercross track and I rode a rain across track this weekend at my buddy's house and I'm gonna ride it again this weekend. And when I went out there, like, you know, there, obviously there wasn't no one there that was like up to my speed or just a couple, just our local guys, you know, But I was pushing as hard as I could. I was hitting the whoops over and over and over again, um, and didn't go down at all. So I'M happy with all that stuff and just gonna keep it going, keep putting in days on the track and just show up as best as I can.
[00:11:43] Speaker A: Well, it sounds like you're definitely doing the homework. You're, you're putting in the work in the gym, you're putting in the time on the bike, whether it's the bike you're gonna be racing or not. And I, I'm sure that's gotta give you a little bit of confidence as well. No matter what happens, what bike you wind up lining up on. Hey, I've done the homework. The hard part leading up to this.
[00:11:59] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm doing, I'm just putting in, you know, all the work that I can. And I have been working at 9 to 5 to be able to afford this stuff. So at the end of the day, I get, I get off work and I go right to the gym. I go literally, like right to the gym from work and work out. Then the guys, Electro and company, they, they really help me out. They like, they're really, they're very lenient with me. And, you know, I'll show up a little early, leave a little early, go right to the track, then go home, sleep, wake up to the same thing the next day. So pin in as much work as I can, honestly.
[00:12:31] Speaker A: All right, well, Brandon, we're going to let you get back to work. Keep putting in the time, man. We're excited to see you around one. The home race, the friends, the families, they're all going to be there. And we're ready to see what you've got here for the 2024, 2025 season. Good luck, man.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you.
