Ignite TransAm Vet Classic Profile | Anthony daGraca

Ignite TransAm Vet Classic Profile | Anthony daGraca

Age: 29

Hometown: Murrieta, California

Classes Raced: 25+ Intermediate

Sponsors: Husqvarna Motorcycles, Thor, Pro Taper, Bell Helmets, VP Racing Fuels, Toyota of Escondido, FMF, Andy “The Broshow” Jefferson, Alpine Stars, WP Suspension, Paul Perebijnos at Pro Taper

 As an employee of Husqvarna, Anthony daGraca only pimps out a bike for himself once a year for a Vet-specific race. This year he chose the 2nd annual TransAm Vet Classic presented by Ignite. We checked in with him after his last race of the weekend to see how he felt about the long track layout at Glen Helen.

We understand this is your first TransAm, what did you hear about the event and what do you think about it now that you’re here?

 I heard it was probably one of the best Vet races around. I didn’t do it last year, I don’t remember why I didn’t do it, but I’m really bummed I didn’t do it last year because this year, this race, hands down, has been the most fun race I’ve ever done.

During the week you work for Husqvarna. Can you tell me about your job?

So for Husqvarna, I build all the bikes for media testing for magazines, internet, websites, I bring the bike out and get with the test riders. I help set up the bike for them so they get a good impression of the bike and then at the shop I’m usually re-prepping bikes for testing. At the back of the shop, I’m building bikes for different things.

How did you earn your position at Husky?

I started off at KTM. I was working in the car industry at a performance shop and I was just not happy there anymore. One of my really good friends Juan Gonzalez said, “Hey KTM needs a media guy, wanna apply?” and I was really hesitant about it because I didn’t want to do it. Then I figured what is the worst that can happen, filled out the application, and I got hired like instantly. I did two years at KTM and then Husqvarna had a position open for the same position, but to me, it felt like it was a move up. When I was at KTM I was more of the help and at Husqvarna, I am the main technician with Andy Jefferson as my manager. I’ve been at Husqvarna for about 2 1/2 years now.

 Have you been waiting to turn Vet class age?

Yes, since I’ve been racing me and all my buddies have been always saying first one to go 25 pro was our goal because we were never going to make it as a younger pro, I’m 29 now, so I’m shooting for 30 now. Hopefully, me and my buddies can laugh about it.

What does riding and racing mean to you in this stage of your life?

Just fun, I ride every Saturday religiously. I don’t do anything else on a Saturday and if I don’t ride a Saturday, I’m going to ride that Sunday. There are those times where I won’t ride in a weekend and I feel lost all day. The company I work for, we all ride together. Me, Andy Jefferson, Dave O’Connor…we are a really close group. I come ride with Donn all the time, Casey, Chase, Dommer, all the guys. I always have a blast with everyone, it’s just relaxing.

Working at husky, I would imagine your bike is super trick, tell me about it.

Yeah, everyone always gives me crap because every time I’m in the shop people say, “Oh, your bike is better than the factory bike, what’s going on?” but honestly it’s stock! Except for the brakes and the exhaust and the forks, but you know it’s got little things that I’ve acquired when mechanics give me stuff they were going to throw away. My bike is always dialed.

My dad says your nickname is Meatball, how did you get that nickname?

 I honestly don’t know the exact reason on my nickname Meatball, but when I got first hired at KTM my first nickname was Sister. It was Sister because I’m really organized and really want to know the details if something is going on. Then I graduated from sister to Meatball because I guess I’m just a meaty guy, not skin and bones. That nickname goes off into many other different nicknames, I’ve gotten Meatloaf, Loaf, The Meat, anything that has to do with meat, people will call me it. At one point I was losing some weight and a couple of people started calling me Slim Jim, but that died down pretty quick when I stopped cycling.

Do you like the extra long track layout at Glen Helen this weekend?

 Yes, the track layout was honestly the best layout I’ve ever ridden at this track, the split lanes had no advantage or disadvantage. It was very equal, my third moto I switched lanes every lap and didn’t lose or gain any time. I mainly gained time in the hills and the corners. The track was amazing.

 Now that you’ve gotten a taste of it, can we expect to see you at more Swapmoto Race Series events?

100% yes, I’m not a racer and I always tell everyone at the shop that I only build a sweet bike once a year for some sort of Vet race, whether it be for this race or Vet Nationals. I think this has fully convinced me to be done with Vet Nationals and to continue with just doing this race as well as a couple of rounds of the Swapmoto Race Series. It was a really good weekend for me.