Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

After winning what may have been the largest cash purse ever in motorcycle road racing, WSMC Toyota 200 winner Jason Pridmore told reporters he plans on entering at least one Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) golf tournament.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m on the PGA Tour next year. I’m not going to come back to race,” joked Pridmore when asked by a reporter about his 2003 plans. “I’m going to take some time off right now and play golf a lot over the next six months. I want to just train, and I’m probably going to play in some tournaments during the off-season. Maybe when I’m done racing in another year or two that will be something I will pursue because it’d be kind fun to see how competitive I could get at that. We’ll see how it goes.

“I’m going to go try and Monday–qualify for a Buy.com event here later in the year. All my friends are pushing me to do it, and they’re all really good players. I don’t put myself at their level yet, but the only way I’m going to find out what that level is is by getting out there and taking a look at it. I’m just going to go out there and just see what happens. It’ll be kind of fun, you know.”

Pridmore, age 32, said he plans to try and qualify for the Gila River Classic October 7-13 at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona. The Buy.com PGA Tour event features multi-day coverage on the Golf Network and a $425,000 purse with $76,500 going to the winner.

Because he does not have a PGA Tour card, Pridmore will have to play in a qualifying round on the Monday before the tournament to earn an entry. Pridmore, a serious golfer since his teenage years, said that qualifying on Monday is a long shot, explaining “They only take two or three.”

After his off-season of golf, 2002 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Pridmore looks forward to a continued relationship with American Suzuki, saying, “For sure, I want to be with Suzuki again. I think the year that we had is not going to hurt that opportunity at all. I want to stay with the team I’ve got because they’re the best ones out there.

“I mean, I was out riding around (Saturday, September 14) at 9:30 at night, coming back down from watching the Oscar De La Hoya fight up there in turn four (at Willow Springs), there was only one team in the paddock practicing pit stops and it was mine. They’re so dedicated to me, and they’re so dedicated to winning. I think Richard (Stanboli, Attack Suzuki team owner) would tell you the same. He’s had a long road, too, before winning anything. It’s something we can get used to.

“I think if we get to go testing this off-season, we’ll be even tougher to beat next year, once we figure out what the AMA’s doing with their rules, if they ever make a decision. Hopefully they’ll tell us before March, before Daytona comes along, because of the history those guys have got.

“I think it has to be said that Bill Huth (Willow Springs owner) stepped up to the plate and he ran an event (WSMC Toyota 200) that was worthy of what he wanted it to be,” continued Pridmore. “I think maybe he felt the AMA should have continued their relationship here, and they didn’t. And he wanted to show them that he could run an event on his own.

“I would’ve liked to have seen it better supported as far as the riders go. I think next year they’ll have a bigger spectator turnout than they did this year. It wasn’t horrible, but I know they could always use more people. I think a lot of times when you have a first annual event like this everyone doesn’t really know what to expect especially with the economy and stuff like that it probably scared a few people off.

“But he did a great job with the event. And to win $50,000 after spending $300 to get in the thing, that’s a pretty good return. We need more races like this. It makes you really wonder how we’re winning Superbike nationals and only getting paid $3500 or $4000. It’s an embarrassment, really. We’re professional athletes and this is what it should be about. Yeah, we’re not up there with the other top-dollar athletes. I get frustrated when I read about guys sitting out eight weeks with an ingrown toe nail and they’re getting paid their seven million. It pisses you off, but bottom line is I’m doing what I want to do for a living. I’m able to make a living doing it.”