bmxultra.com:
How did you get started in BMX?
Glenn: I got started around the age of 6 through one
of my Dad's mates, one particular weekend he witnessed our backyard
races that we organized with the local neighbourhood. Steve asked
if I wanted to see some real BMX racing down at the Local Browns
Plains BMX Club. I rocked up to a monster track with BMX’ers
everywhere. The rest is history!
bmxultra.com: When did you race your first world championship?
Glenn: 1989 Chandler Velodrome Brisbane, QLD
bmxultra.com: What is your best finish at a World championships?
Glenn: World #1
bmxultra.com: What year was that? and what class?
Glenn: 1994 In Michigan USA - I raced 14yr boys.
bmxultra.com: Are there any names that were in that final
that the readers might recognise?
Glenn: Not real sure I never ready kept tabs on the my
opposition but there is one name that comes to mind, Kein Dougherty
he was the current world champion and ended up racing for GT USA
for a short while.
bmxultra.com: Which BMXers did you grow up racing against?
Glenn: I use to bang bars with guys like Damian Palmer,
John Johnson, Ashley Hutchinson, Paul King and Warwick Stevenson
there were so many top riders back in those days I remember racing
an Australian title one year and our age class had 109 riders.
bmxultra.com: Who do you train with?
Glenn: I work along side some amazing people, Brad Pillette-
Hughes my strength trainer and my life time trainer and mentor
Tom Creevey. I ride trails with Dave Woolard and Team PB.
bmxultra.com: What was your best finish at an Australian
championships?
Glenn: I managed to win a few back in the days but it’s
been a long road since.
bmxultra.com: What has been your best finish as a Pro?
Glenn: It’s taken me a long time to make a pro
main at an Australian title and I finally completed that in Cairns
2005 finishing 8th for the day due to a crash.
bmxultra.com: What is your most memorable BMX moment?
Glenn: When I was first looking into racing BMX I went
along to watch the Logan City 10,000 the biggest race ever (don’t
quote me 1985 maybe?) I could not even view the race because of
the crowds so I watched the racing sitting on my dad’s shoulders.
bmxultra.com: Which riders did you look up to as a kid?
Glenn: Damian Palmer, Anthony Waye (HOWIE) Paul Adams,
Jessie Carlson and My Big Bro and his mates!
bmxultra.com: Who are the riders you respect most now?
Glenn: I respect all the guys I’m racing with each
and every one brings something different to the plate and all
have had there fair share of titles along the way. I think you
would be surprised how much talent is sitting in the Elite class
right now.
bmxultra.com: What is Phirebird all about?
Glenn: Phirebird is developing a Race Team that will
set a standard for corporate and privateer teams to follow. We
hope riders will be inspired to make BMX a life time activity
and understand what can be achieved if you work it hard enough.
bmxultra.com: Why would you come up with the whole Phirebird
thing and not take a secure job working for someone else like
most other people.
Glenn: I’m tryin something new that most people
think is impossible, don’t get me wrong there’s been
many days when I think “what tha!” I can’t complain
because I enjoy the challenge and were continually moving forward
which is a buzz.
bmxultra.com: Who’s riding for Phirebird at the
moment?
Glenn: Our current team is under wraps at the moment
as there are many new developments in the pipe line.
bmxultra.com: What’s the deal with the limo?
Glenn: We needed a new ride that was unique and stylish;
the opportunity arose on EBay so we took it.
bmxultra.com: How did Jamie Gray go from Haro to riding
for Phirebird?
Glenn: Jamie and I have grown up together
as friends for most of our BMX careers, we have had similar experiences
with sponsorship deals and recognize it’s not the path that
we wish to take. We have now partnered to make an extraordinary
race team that will create a huge following and live forever.
bmxultra.com: Who are the team Phirebird sponsors?
Glenn: We are currently negotiating sponsors as we speak,
you will be seeing some dramatic changes to Team Phirebird after
the Australian Titles as we set ourselves up for the Olympic count
down.
bmxultra.com: What products and services do you have
to offer people right now?
Glenn: Phirebird currently offers Custom club merchandise
and Coaching services to all Clubs Australia wide.
Due to our expansion we had to start up another division called
YourLogoHere that focuses on Promotional Products for all types
of Businesses, Sporting clubs and clothing labels.
bmxultra.com: How do you see that changing in the future?
Glenn: I’m seeing some big changes once all the
pieces to the puzzle are put in place. Unfortunately it all takes
time…
bmxultra.com: What music do you listen to?
Glenn: I listen to radio music most days and throw in
a bit of Metallica, Slipknot and System of a Down when heading
out for a ride.
bmxultra.com: Is there any song that drives you nuts?
Glenn: Thought you would never ask!
Those Australian idol superstars, I’ve never been the same
person since.
bmxultra.com: What do you think of Neil Young?
Glenn: I’ve heard all about Neil but I still haven’t
brought his album!
bmxultra.com: Has the internet been much help to Phirebird?
Glenn: I’m sure the internet will be Phirebird's
biggest asset in the future once where running at 100% capacity.
Phirebird is building so much momentum it’s very hard to
settle for something knowing something else will be changing a
month later.
bmxultra.com: What are your favourite websites?
Glenn: bmxultra.com, cyclesportsnews.com and istv.com
bmxultra.com: What is it you look for in a website?
Glenn: I’m always looking for race news to the
events that I miss; also I enjoy looking at downloadable BMX racing
mpegs from around the globe.
bmxultra.com: There seems to be a whole bunch of fast guys in
the AA field in Australia these days, and any combination of guys
can make or even win the main…it wasn’t that long
ago that there were only a handful that could win…what do
you think had contributed to the change?
Glenn: Every Pro rider has been waiting
for the word “Olympics” for some time now; it would
be a great way to finish off any BMX riders career. Every rider
that is serious about the Olympics is now developing the essentials
to become a professional athlete.
My opinion is BMXA needs to look at upgrading tracks that host
UCI events, these tracks require visual and technical upgrades
to assist with TV coverage and exciting potential sponsors. Tracks
need to be technically harder to allow for a higher element of
skill riding which will make more room for fair competitive racing;
first one to the first corner wins, this should not be the future
of BMX.
bmxultra.com: Is there anything that can be changed to
help the Aussie riders step it up another knotch?
Glenn: “Training” All riders should be following
some type of program that leads into future personal goals, work
it hard and consistently while attending major events to assist
in racing experience. Create a success story…
bmxultra.com: Do you think eliminating A Pro is a good
idea?
Glenn: End of the day the more main events we have the
better for all.
I would like to see Vet Pro, A and AA mains + consolation finals.
We need to learn to “ENTERTAIN” spectators.
NO is my answer to this one…
bmxultra.com: What did you think of the XBR Factory Teams
Challenge?
Glenn: XBR Factory Team Challenge was a huge success
thanks to GavinD.com.au and XBR.com.au due to the fact that it
made teams step forward to present themselves to the BMX community.
It clearly demonstrated the lack of support riders are really
getting out there from the larger bike companies. I would like
to congratulate the other teams that entered as these are the
teams BMX fans and riders should be supporting.
Team PHIREBIRD won the 2006 XBR FACTORY CHALLENGE we started 5
years ago as a self funded private team with no support or sponsors
and we still don’t compete we set the standards”
bmxultra.com: What did you think of the BSX?
Glenn: Good call! Someone went out and did something
different even know others disapproved, the end result spoke for
itself. Job well done…
bmxultra.com: Would you encourage others to try something
different?
Glenn: Yes so many people have great ideas, but can’t
follow through. We really need to take BMX to the next level.
bmxultra.com: What would you like to see changed about
the BSX event to make it more entertaining next time around?
Glenn: Bigger jumps or just a few crazy sections that
really test out the best. The racing side of things was fun and
worked well. Maybe add in a few more different types of events,
to crown an overall champion. More free riding …a live band…
XBR girls a Beer tent for guest and a Camera on the finish line.
bmxultra.com: do you plan to head down to Track Attack
in 2007 and do it all again?
Glenn: 2007 will be Team Phirebirds
biggest year, and we look forward in defending our title
bmxultra.com: What does the UCI Oceania series mean to
you?
Glenn: Still trying to work it out! I think you need
about $11,000 to be competitive each year so if you have the money
why not! For the rest I suppose the only other option is acquire
your one UCI point and podium the Australian and World titles.
bmxultra.com: Is it possible to compete in the series
and do well as an independent?
Glenn: Anything is possible, but each rider will ne
ed
a lot of financial support to continue this unknown adventure.
bmxultra.com:
What do you think the Olympics can do for BMX racing?
Glenn: Maybe some quality sponsors for individual riders
and a little TV coverage at best. The association is starting
to forget about the 7000 + licensed members Australia wide that
don’t really care about the Olympics but just want to go
out and ride there bikes for fun. The association seems to be
focused on the 10% of riders that are pursuing their goals and
spending the big bucks to do it. Will BMX ever grow?
bmxultra.com: Where do you see bmx racing in 5 years
from now?
Glenn: Big call! I think it will depend
on who gets onboard with the Australian BMX Association. BMX Australia
needs to understand they can’t do it by themselves they
need to network with the best people in the sport or else nothing
good will ever happen. Let’s sharpen up to make BMX a professional
sport for the future generation to enjoy and prosper. BMXA you
owe it to your people…
bmxultra.com: do you think there is a future for you
in BMX once your racing days are over?
Glenn: I hope so, but that question scares me a little,
I sure to be out and about living the BMX life style.
bmxultra.com: Is there anyone you would like to take
the opportunity to thank?
Glenn: My Family, Trainers, Team mates and there families,
Fans and supporters that continually supports us and believes
in our vision.
My special girl friend Mellisa and my dog (ZODI)