Recently “Flyin” Brian of Liquid Speed Radios The Liquid SPEED Show sat down with 13 time World Champion Chris Macclugage and had a Q&A session with him about how he has progressed since being a privateer racer and all that he has accomplished as well as what does it take to stay on top with running his own business and everything else he is involved with.

LS- Chris you have raced with Factory OEM Teams like Kawasaki, Yamaha and Hydrospace, out of all of the teams you were a part of which one was the most enjoyable?

Chris- Kawasaki was great and everything was done for us, all we had to do was train, show up and win. The atmosphere was perfect, we were paid on time, provided rental cars, etc. I would have to say that Yamaha was great with Riva Racing too with excellent skis and support.

LS- What was your best memory you have with racing with a factory team?

Chris- Going to Japan as a Kawasaki Team Member and having an AWESOME time.

LS- When you decided to race for yourself and Macc Racing, what made you decide to want to go that route? What was your influence?

Chris- Well, I had to go this route. We at Macc Racing had already been building Kawasaki S/C 4 Strokes, so I decided to race our Supercharged 15-F at the World Finals. We beat Factory Kawasaki Rider Dustin Farthing... hence the slogan “FASTER THAN FACTORY!”

LS- You have been very successful with the Macc Racing Program. How do you run the day to day operations and still keep your mind and body in tune for racing?

Chris- I try to wake up and get training done right away. But if it was not for Rachel I would be out of luck!!!

LS- What would you say is your biggest accomplishment in the past 5 yrs?

Chris- Winning some races and getting married!!

LS- What is your biggest disappointment in the past 5 yrs?

Chris- Lost championships and stupid mistakes!

LS- Over the years, you have raced with and against some of the best in the industry. Out of all that come to mind, which racer sticks out as the one who gave you the biggest challenge to beat or race against?

Chris- I would say back in the day it was Nicholas Rius. But throughout my career it has been myself! I am my worst enemy!!

LS- If there was one racer that if you had the chance to go one on one with on the track with a 15 lap moto, who would it be and what would you pick as your poison… Ski or Runabout?

Chris- Nicholas Rius in Ski class! Loser leaves town and retires.

LS- One thing some of us notice is that you really take the time to talk with your fans young and old. Do you feel that they are a part of your success?

Chris- Yes, it’s nice to feel like you have inspired people.

LS- Is there one fan that sticks out in your memory of what they said or did in the past few years?

Chris- Back in the Kawasaki days, we had Kaw/Macc Supporters that hated Rius and Yamaha. They were funny! I think one of them was Jess Renner.

LS- You have worked with some of the best mechanics in the business and you are now working with Rusty Gewecke. What was your influence in making the decision to work with Rusty?

Chris- Rusty and Bullett wanted to get back into racing. They decided to start out with the stand up. Stand ups are my heart, I love them! So it was a perfect combo... the best hull builder and me. Bullett and Rusty are VERY thorough in what they do.

LS- You raced the new Gen2 Bullet Racing hull at the 2010 IJSBA World Finals. How was it?

Chris- It was excellent!! We had not tested it in the rough waters prior to the weekend so we were working on set-up all day. Not bad for its 1st outing in those conditions.

LS- Speaking of the World Finals, how did you prepare for the 2010 IJSBA World Finals?

Chris- A little practice and too much training. I didn’t have a good balance going into it. I was burnt out before I started racing.

LS- How did you prepare mentally?

Chris- Sleep or try to and work out. Working out usually prepares me mentally.

LS- What was your toughest obstacle to overcome throughout the finals?

Chris- I was very tired and had no energy. I believe I over trained or didn’t let my body rest enough.

LS- In Pro Ski Open you rode like a possessed mad man the whole time every lap. If you don’t mind, can you explain what happened in Moto 1 on the back stretch?

Chris- That goes back to our set up for rough water. I think I had my pole to short and it made too much bow pressure. When I let off behind a lapper my weight transferred hard to the front and I fell off to the side. I felt like I was in a slow motion movie.

LS- How did you feel when that happened? Did you know what you needed to do?

Chris- Very heart breaking… ever see a grown man cry? Yes, I knew what I needed to do!

LS- When you get into a situation like that, how do you overcome the odds and keep your mind straight?

Chris- The best thing for me is to be on my own and not have anyone bothering me. Just to sit, think and fix it!

LS- Does something like that make you even more hungry for the next season?

Chris- Yes, it makes me want to train and practice harder.

LS- The conditions on Sunday were pretty crazy. From what I hear, you really like that kind of water. Did it play out in your favor and did you have to adjust your riding or set up for the conditions?

Chris- Yes, I love rough water but I feel that day I rode at 75% of my potential. It was a new boat and I was not totally comfortable with the set up we had.

LS- Coming into the world finals, was there anyone you that you knew was your main competition? If so, who was it and how did it pan out?

Chris- Just myself and I beat myself!!!

LS- Switching gears for a second, it seems like you are in the best shape of your. How do you keep in shape? What is your daily routine?

Chris- My condition is alright. I have had great trainers in the past but doing it on my own is very difficult. Today I trained in the sand dunes in Lake Havasu, walking up and down very steep hills with soft sand for a half hour. The hill is almost 30 stories high!

LS- You recently competed in the Lake Havasu Swim and Run Marathon, What inspired you to venture into that sport?

Chris- The Lake Havasu Run & Plunge took place in the same area my wife and I train, so it was natural for us to do it. I swim very well and my running off road is pretty good. I was the first out of the water on the swim portion but then was passed during the run by a local triathlete.

LS- How did you prepare?

Chris- Running & swimming

LS- What do you do in the offseason?

Chris- This year it seems like there is no off season. We are racing The Kings Cup in Thailand, so I really need to stay on top of things.

LS- Is there any other hobby that you like to do besides racing jet skis?

Chris- I haven’t had much time for other things, but I do enjoy Vegas, snowboarding, wake boarding and trying new foods.

LS- Back to racing… If there was anything you could tell some of the new riders, young riders and racers looking to get into the sport of PWC Racing what would be the best advice?

Chris- PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE… NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!

LS- How much do you value practice, meaning running buoys and honing your racing and riding skills?

Chris- It definitely helps out but training off the water is just as if not more important. I’d say water training 40% and off water training (physical/mental) 60%.

LS- What are your plans for the 2011 race season?

Chris- 2011 plans are to race Ski class and Stock Runabout on the IJSBA Tour.

LS- Is there anyone that you would like to thank?

Chris- My wife Rachel Macclugage and my sponsors and friends: Monster, Quakysense, Macc Racing, Alpina Watches, Motec, Hot Products, SATO Engineering, Hiro, Mom & Dad, Chuta, Rusty, Brian Smith, Tiny & Jeffery, Race Deck Floors, Craftsmans and Liquid Militia.

LS- Thank you Chris for your time and I always appreciate you taking time to speak with me.