Boo Who? Come inside and meet Boo Green
by Mike Fraser
15 July 2004
One of the most colorful racers on and off the track has to be Boo Green. Some of you know Boo, some of you think you know Boo, and some of you are asking "Boo Who?". AtlanticMX.com's Mike Fraser sits down the one of the regions fastest racers to talk about racing, the nationals, and his unique name.
Mike Fraser :
Hey Boo, how's it going?
boo :
great man , how are you doing today ?
Mike Fraser :
Excellent as always. But would be better if I was out riding right now. LOL.
When I first moved back here, I heard your name mentioned alot when the topic of Motocross came up. I was always wondering
"Who is Boo?". Let's get some background on you so others can know "Who is Boo?"
Where are you from?
boo :
I am from Lawrencetown Nova Scotia. I am 18 years old and have been racing motocross since I was 11. Three years ago I turned pro.
Mike Fraser :
Cool. That answer covers my next three questions. LOL
So you turned pro at 15? That is impressive.
What have you learned in the last three years about racing competeting at the pro level?
boo :
I've learned that racing at the pro level is tougher then any other obstacle I have ever encountered before. its all mental. I can no longer use my physical conditioning as my main advantage. I have to use my mind to go faster not just my body.
Mike Fraser :
So you're finding it more of a mental game now. Are there any mental blocks that you have overcome in the past few years that have made you faster on the track?
boo :
Definitely! These days I tell myself I have to do that jump, I have to hold it on through this section, I need to lean it over farther. I am always constantly telling myself to do this or do that to push my riding to the next level.
Mike Fraser :
It's good to see that you realize there are always more things to learn, even when you ride as fast as you do.
As an up and coming pro level motocrosser, is there anyone that you still look up to for inspiration?
boo :
After the second year I started racing I spent most of the next four summers at Mitchs Cooke's house riding with Mitchell and Hiedi and Adam Turner . We would ride all day everyday. Mitchell always helped me out telling me to do this or that, but his father Robbie would always be watching everyday and he would always tell me to get aggressive, which I think is one of the most important parts about going fast.
I would say that Robbie and Mitchell Cooke have been my greatest influences. I try to ride like Mitchell everytime I ride. Some nights I am on my game and some nights I am not, but that's racing. That's life. Those nights that I am on my game Robbie always lets me know. He says, " Boo your goin' good" and gives me the thumbs up. When he does that I feel so good and so confident. I feel like, if one person in the world told me I was riding well it means the most coming from him!
It also means a lot coming from my Dad! He is always behind me 100% no matter how good I am riding because he's the greatest dad anyone could have !
Mike Fraser :
The Cooke's are a good crew. They have done a lot for the sport in the region. I heard that Robbie used to be quite the racer back in the 70's racing the Can-Am's.
boo :
Yeah I have seen his old racing chaps hangin' in the boiler room behind the bakery and some pictures and tapes from back in the day. He was a real motocrosser, man. That's why it means the most coming from him because he doesn't tell ya anything to butter you up , he'll tell you the way it is and tell ya what needs to be done.
Mike Fraser :
Yes, Robbie will always tell you as he sees it. I have had the odd occassion to sit and talk with him. I think he is a pretty cool guy myself. Some might see him as a little abrupt, but I like his straight-forwardness and honesty.
I have met your Dad, David. He is a nice man. He knows what it takes to succeed and I can tell he stands behind you and wants to see you make it far in this sport.
You've been around this sport locally for a while. What changes have you seen over the years?
boo :
Well this biggest change was this year, well I suppose it all started last year with the Turners. Anthony and Adam Turner opened Pro Tech Suspension and Turner Engineering. I think that boosted the sport around here a lot. It steped it up another few levels, not just one. Their shop brought a sense of professionalism to the sport. I think they deserve a lot of respect for that and if people will do business through them it will help the sport grow locally even more because they are the heart of support for motocrossers around here. It's your one stop shop which is something we never had before. It's like out West and in the States. Thats where all the shops and teams are based out of, so it makes motocross that much bigger in that area.
Mike Fraser :
I don't know what I would do without Pro-Tech and Anthony and Adam. Those two have saved me when in a few jams and what they did to my suspension this year was nothing short of amazing. I assume they set up your bikes for you this year. How are you finding your bikes are performing this year?
boo :
Well they did my suspension and its the best it ever was in the last 6 years that I had it done. My bike is always tracking staight and applying its power to the ground. My engine was done by Turner Engineering, Anthony himself, and my bike is so fast I just can't even say how fast it is because it's just unexplainable. They have geared me up this year and they totally took away any chance I had to make an excuse about how I had a bad moto because my bike didn't work right.
Mike Fraser :
Yeah, I have been on your bike. My first impression was WOW!!
So now if you don't place well you can only blame yourself because your bikes are running so strong. How is your season going this year?
boo :
That's right the only person I could blame is myself and that's why I have been riding hard practicing a lot and trying to learn as much as I can to prepare for the nationals, which is what my main focus is right now. My season so far has been great, with the exception of like a three or four single motos and this one weekend I had in Fredericton. And the first race at Riverglade where I crashed during a practice that took me out for the rest of the day.
Mike Fraser :
Yeah, I remember that. I was coming up to the face of that jump as you were coming down. That was a pretty specatular crash. You used one of your nine lives there for sure.
A couple weeks ago you mentioned to me that you were planning on racing the entire Eastern National Circut. So it sounds like you are still planning on going. What are you racing in 125 or 250 or both?
boo :
I figure I will sign up for both classes and try to qualify for both classes. That way I get four practices instead of two and I get two bikes at qualifiers. So when Sunday comes I will have lots of track time on the given track and if my first 125 moto goes well I probably won't ride the 250 motos but if the first 125 moto is bad I can see myself racing the 250 class that day instead of doing the second 125 moto.
I just wanna get points man. It's all about points for me. So I can get my national number back or maybe even a better one . I used to be # 79. I want to do better this year. I feel I am faster and more mature and experienced as a racer. I'll just have to bring my best game when I get there.
Mike Fraser :
Are you going to the nationals with anyone or just doing the whole thing privateer style?
boo :
I would like to do it myself so I can do whatever I want when I want but I think I might go with my buddy Kyle Ledwidge because we went to Florida together this spring and we had a great time. We travel well together plus it cuts cost in half and David (dad) likes that a lot and I like to make David happy so I can see myself showin' up with Kyle !!
Mike Fraser :
You'll have to get online and keep us posted as to how you are doing and the adventures you are having while racing at the Eastern Nationals. AtlanticMX.com readers would appreciate hearing how you are doing.
boo :
I would love to do that. I'll do my best to keep everyone here in Atlantic Canada that is unable to attend the races updated on what exactly is going on!
Mike Fraser :
Just a couple last questions before we wrap up.
I have to ask, Where did the name "Boo" come from? I am sure everyone wants to know. Or is that going to remain a well guarded secret.
boo :
Well my Momma is German and in Germany that call babies "boopalies". So when I was little I was her lil boop, like "lil babe" ya know? So the name stuck but it stuck as "Boo". If anyone wants to know my birth certificate name its Julian, you guys can call me that if ya want, I dont mind. I think everyone thinks I call myself Boo because I don't like my birth certificate name. But I call myself Boo because thats what my Momma and Poppa call me.
Mike Fraser :
Well, I know you as Boo, so that is what it will remain.
Before we go, are there any sponsors or anyone else you would like to extend some props out to?
boo :
Well first off I need to thank fastbydesign.com. They hooked me up this year with a new level of sponsorship like I never had before. Paul and Benji are like my bosses. ha ha Those guys are just flat out great guys and have been an immense help to me this year.
I would also like to thank Spy, Maxxima, Pro Circuit, SDG U.S.A.,,works connection, one industries/tag metals, one west.
boo :
Oh yeah! Pro Tech suspension and Turner Engineering. They have built me the two best race bikes I have ever had to race with. They are the BOMB!
Mike Fraser :
Well Boo, it's been great talking with you. I and everyone else in Atlantic Canada wish you all the best and nothing but success in the Nationals this year. Go up there, kick butt, take names, and make everyone stand up and ask "Who is Boo?" because this kid can RIP!!
Good interview DUDE!
boo :
Thanks alot Mike I enjoyed doing this interview. Let's hook up soon and go riding.
Mike Fraser :
OK! You only need to ask once. LOL
