The Iron Man!... Much Like The Energizer Bunny, 48 Year Old Pro Racer Ric Wilson Keeps Going and Going...

OSM: Thanks for meeting up with us Ric. When I was researching you for this interview, one thing that stuck out more then anything, I was told you are like the “Mike Larocco" of Snowcross. What has been the driving factor in keeping you competitive in pro racing at 48 years old?
Ric: Mike Schmidt / London Recreational. Mentally, Mike has kept me in check. He always knows what I need with the sleds. My sleds have always been fast and very reliable which gives me confidence. Not only has Mike been a sponsor of mine from day one, I couldn’t do it without him.

OSM: Who is Mike Schmidt in relation to you for those who don’t know, and how did you hook up with him?
Ric: Mike Schmidt raced in ice/grass drags for years and was very successful. He and I were both sponsored by TekVest. Steve Brand thought Mike would be able to help me with the performance of my sleds, so he brought us together. Once we started working together, Mike said that he would help me until I was done racing. …I don't think he thought I would be still racing 16 years later! Mike and I are very good friends.

OSM: What kind of a fitness regimen do you work with to stay in top shape for the races?
Ric: My day-to-day work is very physical, gym, and motocross.

OSM: You dominate the Vet classes, who would you consider to be your biggest competition?
Ric: Bob Holmes and Stuart Hunt.

OSM: Racing sleds is a physically demanding sport. At an age where most racers hang up their TekVest and move on to careers in the industry or team management, why have you chosen to stay in competitive racing?
Ric: I just love racing, and one day I’d like to race my son Devin.

OSM: When did you get involved in the sport, and what got you interested?
Ric: Steve Brand brought it to my attention. We raced the I-500 together for 3 years, and in 1994 he told me about the first CSRA race at Moonstone. I went and met Mike Schmidt and the rest is history!

OSM: After a weekend of pounding whoops and jumps at a National, do you notice a big difference in the recovery time from '95 to 2010?
Ric: Yes. I recover much faster now because the sleds are so much better.

OSM: What are the biggest changes from '95 Sleds to 2010 machines?
Ric: They are lighter, handle and steer better, and they’re also more reliable.

OSM: Can you tell us what the worst crash and injury of your career was?
Ric: 1992 I-500 I broke my back. In 2009 I cart wheeled my sled and the back bumper landed on my face.

OSM: Were you ever intimidated to race after coming back from a crash like that?
Ric: Never!

OSM: Over the years, who have you not liked racing against?
Ric: I like racing everybody, but some racers have been more of a challenge. Charlie Masters and Karl Allard come to mind.

OSM: Do you have a favourite race in each decade?
Ric: 1990's - Duluth, where I won semi-pro. 2000-2005 - Lindsay, ON, where I won four times. 2005-2010 - Chicopee/Craighurst, ON, I always manage to do well at ski hills.

OSM: Back to the Larocco reference, did you ever have an on track boxing match after getting cleaned out?
Ric: Yes, with Karl Allard.

OSM: What were the circumstances that caused you guys to square off?
Ric: Well Karl landed right on top of me on the track. I still wonder how he didn't break my neck.

OSM: Which race win meant the most to you?
Ric: I would have to say, probably Duluth 1994-95 when I won the semi-pro race and Ski-Doo became a sponsor.

OSM: Do you have a favourite year?
Ric: Favourite would be 1999, Ski-Doo made me a factory-mod. We won a lot of races that year.

OSM: What are the biggest differences between factory sleds and stockers?
Ric: Lighter, lower c.g., more power and better handling.

OSM: Now is the time when you plug your sponsors and supporters! Who has helped you the most in your long and successful career?
Ric: London Recreatioal Contracting, Team Vincent Motorsports, Wilson Ponds, Studboy, The Shoc Doc, Arther's Fuel, G.W. Wise Contracting, Ace Tire, Promotional Graphics, TekVest and Ski-Doo. And of course my wife Dina for allowing me to race, and my parents.

TIDBITS
Ric started racing at age 32.
Ric has raced Ski-Doo for 18 years.
Ric's first sled was a 1962 Ski-Doo that he still owns and rides.
Ric has raced and beat a lot of big name racers like; Todd Wolf, Brad Pake, Kirt Hilbert, Jack Struthers, Toni Haikonen and Blair Morgan.
Ric has won at least 25 Championships.
Ric does a lot of work at the CSRA races, grooming the track and making repairs to groomers.
On some weekends Ric races up to 150 laps.