Welcome to the initial installment of Shannon Niday's Coach's Corner. Here the moto guru will share some of his training secrets and riding tips for all to use. In this first segment, we visit with the moto coach about his past, present and future in the sport of motocross.

MXR: Shannon, give us a little background on yourself.

Coach: I grew up in a family with a lot of motorcycle background dating back to the 1940s. My father was a factory dirt tracker for Harley in the late 50’s, early 60’s with an injury ending his career. He opened a dirtbikes only shop in the late 60’s. It’s kinda funny, most of the dirtbikes he sold, the kids today haven’t ever heard of. He had Steens, Hodaka, Monarch, DKW, Husquavarna, Chibi, Bonanza, and Penton. In the early 70s, the European bikes were fizzling out and he opened a Suzuki shop. Up to this point, all I did was race every weekend. When I got into my teen years, I started working for him and kept racing. In the 70s, I was definitely the kid to beat, winning state, NMA, GNC, and AMA championships. In the late 70’s I started riding the A class, dominating the local scene. In 1980, I got my pro license. Back then, if you weren’t in Cali or Florida, it was tough to get factory support needed to run the whole season. In 1983, I was offered a Team Green ride, but they wanted me to ride in the Midwest. I took the offer and stayed involved in my dad’s shop. Over the next few years, I raced as many big races as possible. In the late 80s my parents divorced, the shops were sold, and my racing career was pretty much put on hold. I opened up my own parts and accessory store in 1993 and started working with a few locals for fun. I realized I could make money at this and that’s when I decided to coach mx full time. Over the last 6 years, the business has grown tremendously. My wife, Sheila, quit her job to help me run the business end. Now, she is going to school to be a physical trainer/nutritionist. She is working hard to come up with the perfect diet and training program for my students. These day’s I have private, semi-private, group classes, or camps going most everyday.

MXR: Who are some of the riders you have worked with ?

Coach: Teddy Maier, recently went pro, rode the Canadian East Coast and got a 3rd overall; Trey Canard, moved up to the B class recently; Jimmy Albertson moved to the A class after LLs this year; Ryan Dungey, also moved to the B class; Terren O’Dell, Blake and Tyler Wharton, Zeb Smith, Andrew Pierce, Tyler Stewart, Conner Pearson, Gannon Audette, Ty Worthington, Carter Stephenson, Jessy Nelson, and many others.

MXR: Where are you based out of ?

Coach: We live just north of Denton with the track just down the road from the house. Most of my private classes are at Bryce Dozier’s place, where they have given me total access, along with all the equipment I need.

MXR: What kinds of things do you teach, emphasize in your program ?

Coach: I do teach all levels of riders. I try to get beginner/novice riders to start with a group class. A and B riders I try to train privately or in a semi-private class, although they are available to all levels.
The thing I emphasize most is learning the proper riding techniques, which can be a long process with the many different ones there are to learn and perfect. Learning the proper techniques and applying them will make a safer, more controlled rider, making it possible to keep improving.

MXR: I heard your name mentioned alot from the podium at Loretta Lynn's this year. That must give you alot of satisfaction......you must have been really proud of your kids.

Coach: This has been a great year for my students. A lot of them really started to come into their own this year. Some of my students have been winning championships all year; others are fighting for top tens, and some just trying to make it to the main. As far as LL’s goes, it’s an awesome 25 minute dog fight. Being proud of my students doesn’t even start to describe how I feel. Any racer that makes it to LL’s is a champion. Making it to the podium and mentioning my name is priceless. I bond with each of my students and to hear them say my name is a great feeling. It tells me that they know that I have helped them and that is what I am here for. I did have 53 students qualify in 25 different classes. Ryan Dungey was my one championship there in the 125 Schoolboy Mod. Also, I had 6 students podium and 21 finishes in the top ten. It was a pretty awesome week.

MXR: What are some of your plans for the future ?

Coach: Things are for sure getting a little crazy around here. There are just not enough days in the week or hours in the day. A friend and I are looking for some acreage in north Texas area to build a full blown training facility for me to do schools and my students to train. The new website has helped business tremendously, I have people from over sea’s wanting to come to Texas and train with me. I am trying to expand by talking to a few factories for a complete line of bikes for people that fly in. Sheila will have a full blown gym for her physical training and nutrition. She will be doing programs to build a rider their own individual training program.

MXR: Who has helped you along the way ?

Coach:  I want to thank Jim Duffy for giving me the idea of doing this as a full time business and helping me get started; the Wharton family for being my first dedicated, hard working family. We started together in 1999; we just kind of grew and got better together. Also, Kevin Dozier for turning me loose with his track and equipment as if it was my own and Kari Canard for just being a great friend that I know and can trust and supporting me through it all. And last but not least, my wife, Sheila and my 2 daughters, Mik and Mac for putting up with all that goes on, doing what I do. Thank you, Sheila for jumping in and definitely taking the school to the next level.

MXR: What about your contact information ?

Coach:  www.shannonnidaymx.com
phone-913-226-5378
email-teachingmotox@aol.com

Stay tuned for riding and training tips from the Coach, Shannon Niday !!!