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Do you have different responsibilities now that you're running the entire thing yourself?
Dale Holmes: It's been a team effort, really. The wife is really good on the books and money side of things as well as courting sponsors and working to help develop programs through her work. On the BMX side, from our Team to co sponsors and arrangements to get set for the Season -- I've been nonstop. I'm fortunate to have the help and support of both Pete Dylewski/ and Christophe Leveque at BMX Racing Group and Cristian Becerine (who is also riding for us) and has been instrumental in getting a lot done to help out as well. Cristian's been around the race scene for many years and we share a philosophy so it really helps with managing the riders/ travel and so on. In short, it has been a full Team effort.

Because you're in charge, you can now do what needs to be done. What are the next steps for DHR?
Dale Holmes: The plan is to grow a solid foundation and an organization that can be scaled overtime. We have a number of components to the team; (racing, training/coaching, summer camps, a nationwide clinic tour and a ride to end obesity program for local youth) that we're all pretty excited about. We have gotten creative with programs and also in forging outside industry relationships, which has worked well so far and we continue to build on it.

Not answering to a boss must be nice, but can you explain how hard it was to set up this program with all the co-sponsors and plans involved?
Dale Holmes: Not easy for sure. I have approached countless people and companies both inside the industry and out. I naturally started with groups and folks I knew and built it from there. I'm fortunate that both Pete & Christophe shared my vision and agreed to partner with both me and my team. I do owe great thanks to both of them for that.

Entirely picking your own team must have been sweet. Why these three guys?
Dale Holmes: Cristian and myself have been good friends for years and we've been on the same Teams since 2000, first with Nirve then Free Agent. Not to mention, Cristian is still killing it racing. He's professional, loyal and very good at Clinics going the extra mile and supporting riders and the Team in years past. Bryce Betts is an up-and-coming Am who I really like. He seems to get it and I have confidence in him evolving as a rider. Bryce has a great online presence and does a lot of graphic design, which helps us out a lot too. I think Anthony Dean has great energy. He's passionate about training and riding and frankly he adds good fire to the team.

Any DHR NAM support program in works?
Dale Holmes: Haha - I love how you know the term, "NAM", Bart. You pay attention to racing I see. I'd like to get a grass roots program going and even have ideas for a future MTB Team- we'll see how it shakes out.

Was it obvious to you that you wanted Stay Strong/Stephen Murray to be involved in the program?
Dale Holmes: I've been longtime friends with Stephen and his family and I think we all know about his struggles. My goal has always been to help Stephen both with awareness and resources in anyway I can and now we hope to help him a bit more with our clinic tour.

If someone wanted a clinic done, could you make that happen?
Dale Holmes: For sure. The plan is a US Clinic Tour we're already booking dates alongside a few outside the Country. For sure if any tracks want to get involved, you can contact us through our social media outlets. DaleHolmesRacing.com, Face Book: Dale Holmes Racing, Twitter: @DHolmesRacing

What kind of vehicle are you driving now that the company car is gone?
Dale Holmes: Haha - thankfully, Cristian and I were smart enough to buy our own vans. So when the FA deal came to an end - we walked away with 2 vans - just working on the new wrap designs now.

Crazy afterparties or professional attitude at the races?
Dale Holmes: The party days are over, I'm afraid. I'm 42, married, have a 2 year old daughter and it's hot chocolate at 8 and bed by 10 for me. haha. As for the riders, there is always a time and a place for fun and a good ol' night out. Racing is so tough these days most riders are pretty professional as regards to eating and drinking. We really do not have to crack the whip on them.

Thanks to: Pete & Christophe at BMX Racing Group, my Wife, Cristian Becerine and all of the sponsors that have come aboard - we're excited about 2014 and beyond. Chase, Elevn, Insight, Kingstar, Excess, Stay Strong, Wal*Mart, Barona Resort & Casino, Vee Tire Co, Answer Racing, Shimano, ODI, Kicker, KMC, Stealth.


Pics by a.o. Jerry Landrum/BMXmania