KENT, Wash. — (Feb. 18, 2011) Ever been someplace or done something for the first time, but knew instinctively that it just felt right?
For Nick Foster, that someplace would be PGP Motorsports Park and the something would be the SuperMoto class of the Stars of Motorsports Series. He’ll be back on his 2009 Yamaha YZ250F for a second go round for the second-to-last round of the Motorsports Series this Sunday.
“My first SuperMoto race ever was on Jan. 11, in the rain with the Stars of Motorsports. I really enjoy racing at PGP. The place has a great staff, they do their job and they have rules, but at the same time it has the feel of a family event that makes it easy to have fun,” said Foster, 41. “Racing is competition — I get that — but racing with people you enjoy and can be friends with and help out in times of need, that’s a true experience.”
Born and raised in California but now a resident of Gig Harbor, Wash., Foster said “the two most important people” in his life are 16-year-old son Julien Foster and girlfriend Jessica Rude. Foster is a service manager for The Brothers PowerSports of Bremerton, Wash., the continuation of a life spent around motorsports.
“My job at The Brothers started out as a stepping stone into the motorcycle industry but has turned into a career,” said Foster. “Everybody there loves bikes and we love riding and sharing our enthusiasm for our sport. It’s a great feeling to be part of something that only about 3 percent of the population does.”
His stepfather owned a small repair shop and was a very good engine builder, and Foster raced bikes on the sand dunes of California’s Pismo Beach as well as at motocross tracks in the central part of the state. After getting his California driver’s license, Foster got interested in air-cooled Volkswagens — “I figured out that you could make them faster than most muscle cars,” he said.
But then life got in the way a bit, and Foster ended up taking an extended break from both bikes and Volkswagens. He tried a couple different careers, did some traveling, taught scuba and managed dive shops while raising Julien as a single parent.
But then in 2000 Foster was feeling burned out on diving, so he got back on a motorcycle and instantly got that instinctive — just right — feeling like it was the first time all over again.
“I started riding again and realized where my heart was at,” he said with a smile. “It was like all of my fondest childhood memories revisited in the magical twist of a throttle. I could taste 2-stroke oil and race fuel again. Seriously, it was an awakening.”
Going with this renewed feeling, Foster changed careers to be around motorcycles, giving up scuba for The Brothers PowerSports. He gets as much satisfaction out of building bikes as he does riding, and over the past decade Foster has owned both street/track and dirt bikes, riding them at track days and racing in off-road events.
Foster learned about PGP from good friends Mike and Linda Redling. While getting a bike ready for the Stars of Motorsports event, he took part in some rental kart racing to learn the track — and had a lot of fun, saying it was a “very affordable way to experience racing as well as to challenge your skills.”
If anything, the favorable impression he got from the seat of a rental kart was increased after the Stars of Motorsports event in January.
“I have raced on different levels at many different venues and I love the fact that you can go to PGP to have a good time, throw your elbows up and race for the finish line with lots of very talented riders and just have fun,” said Foster. “Attitude is everything and to this day I have had nothing but good experiences with the riders, drivers, spectators and employees of PGP.”
The final Stars of Motorsports Fall-Winter Series event after this Sunday is March 20. Asked if he would take part in the upcoming Stars of PGP SuperMoto Series that begins on April 17, Foster’s answer was an emphatic “Yes!” With the help and encouragement of Jessica, Foster renewed his acquaintance with air-cooled Volkswagens, and he also is considering taking part in a Lapping Day or the Lap Attack Series.
“To anyone thinking of trying SuperMoto, karting or any other motorsport offered at PGP, I say do it,” said Foster. “You won’t regret it. You will have fun — I promise you that.”
On the Web
Visit www.pacificgp.com, become a fan of “Pacific Grand Prix” on Facebook or follow @pacificgp on Twitter.
About PGP Motorsports Park
PGP Motorsports Park is the Northwest’s premier multi-purpose racing facility and is located in close proximity to the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Named “Best Guys Weekend Destination” for 2010 in the KING 5 Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington contest, the track is easy to get to and inexpensive to utilize, making PGP a rare combination of top-level racing excitement and affordability. For more information on PGP events and services, visit www.pacificgp.com or call (253) 639-7223.
PGP Motorsports media contact
Paul Zalud, (206) 390-9858, paul@pacificgp.com
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