Craig Corda Interview


Craig Corda – former test rider for Mugen.


[Airfoolers.com] – How old were you Craig, when you first saw a 3wheeler? Who owned it and what model was it?
[Corda] – I think I was around 15 yrs old. My neighbors cousin had an ATC90. I rode it and almost crashed. I did not know how to ride a 3wheller and did not like it much, it was hard to ride.

[Airfoolers.com] – How long until you got to own and throw a leg over your own 3wheeler and what model was it?
[Corda] – The first 3 wheeler I owned was an 1981 Honda 250R. I got it to use for work on the family ranch, I think I was 25 years old. I raced motorcycles from the age of 17-25.

[Airfoolers.com] – Can you tell us a little about how you became a factory racer? And what were the good and bad sides of being a factory rider?
[Corda] – Brett Driscoll and I had been friends and went riding in the desert every week. When he got a contract with Mugen HPS he needed a co-driver for the long races, and this lead to my sponsorship. The good side of being a factory rider was all of the freebies, sponsorships, fuel, we also had all the updated gear, helmets, etc. We still had to supply our own 3wheeler for practice and support crews. The bad was we didn’t have the full support from Honda, we were more of a satalite team. They were there when they needed some ink, but didn’t follow through with much financal support.

[Airfoolers.com] – In 1981 Honda unleashed the first-gen 250R ATC. What was your first impression of this revolutionary machine? How long untill you were sitting on one?
[Corda] – That was the first one I owned. I thought it was pretty cool with the rear suspinsion, front forks like a motorcycle and front disc brake, and clutch just like a motorcycle. Since I had been racing motorcycles this suited me nicely.

[Airfoolers.com] – Do you feel the 1981 250R ATC changed everything about the sport of three wheeler racing? I know one of your peers recently said it was like flipping a switch from ‘off’ to ‘on’
[Corda] – Yes, for me it was so similar to a motorcycle that it was natural to ride it. Maybe that is how other people saw it as well.

[Airfoolers.com] – Brett Driscoll recently told me people were modifying these first 250R’s right away – what were the most common ‘early’ mods you remember and did you see an evoloution during that first year or so they were available?
[Corda] – The first thing that had to go was the thumb throttle, I switched it to a twist throttle. We switch to a larger fuel tank, taller seat, top end gearing and a beefer skid plate for desert racing. For short course, we added alum. rims, low profile tires and alum silencer to save weight and lower the center of gravity.

[Airfoolers.com] – You had the 250cc R, then came the 300cc R from Hondaline & finally Mugen released the 360cc. From personal experience, how did each of these powerplants compare to one another? Was one a favorite with you more then the other? Which did you feel suited your style of riding?
[Corda] – The 250 was stock so that was no big deal. The 300 was pipey, all rpm and no torque. The 360 had it all great power band, lots of horse power, great top speed is soft sand, and would pull a 42 tooth rear sprocket.

[Airfoolers.com] – Most of the ex-factory riders I have spoken to seem like such modest and humble guys. Back then however you guys had major magazine coverage from 3-wheeling and dirt wheels. Were there any big rivals between racers? Any ‘war stories’ to share?
[Corda] – Oh yeah: There was not much info shared between Team Honda and Mugen.

So basically, we ran our races on our own with out pit support from Team Honda. So all of team Honda was our rivals, if we needed any help we couldn’t depend on them.

In fact they were not so happy that we beat them at the 1983 Parker 400. They didn’t even celebrate with us, there was no loved lost. Team Honda had never been beaten before and since Brett and I were the new kids on the block, we surprised everyone.

The magazines loved it that these two local guys beat the strong unbeatable team Honda.

I do have one war story: At one of the Baja races Team Honda was under huge pressure to win each race from Corp. we were listening to their race radio and learned that their race bike had suffered a cracked steering head at around Mikes Sky ranch (miles away from a welder) as we switched the radio back to SCORE radio somehow they were still making all the checks and in the lead. Bretts dad Mike and I could not understand how it got fixed so fast without any down time. We caught up to their chase vehicle at Valley de Trinadad and discover the race trike in the back of the chase truck. We then confronted them about our discovery, and they immediatly withdrew at that point.

They had put race numbers on their pratice trike and were trying to finish the race with that trike. Cheaters never win!!

[Airfoolers.com] – Did you have any pre race rituals? Any certain preparation? I’m sure, obviously nutrition and proper physical conditioning was always a factor.
[Corda] – Back then the pre-race ritual was to show up on time and without a hangover. Brett and I would be pretty good and the night before any race we would get a good nights rest, eating pasta, mexican food can be your down fall. One of the top team honda guys ate tacos the night before a race and had to wear a maxi pad during the race due to the mexican food the night before. I would always wear a bandana around my neck just in case I was out in the desert and nature called. A lot nicer then a cactus or leaves.

[Airfoolers.com] – What type of races did you prefer – flat track, desert races etc etc?
[Corda] – My favorite of course since I live in the desert would be desert racing. Desert races were cool because it was more of an endurance race and we raced with our group of friends. Flat track was fun, pitching it sideways at Riverside, at the Stadium events and the local fair grounds. Its great to have the crowd cheering you on. The down side was inpatient riders that used you as a burm to pass.

[Airfoolers.com] – Before the introduction of the 83 250R – what were you guys doing to combat the obvious suspension shortcoming of the first generation 250R ATC?
[Corda] – We had after market companies suppling us with fork mods, and for the rear a longer swing arm, I think west coast was the supplier. Ohleins rear shock or works performance shock with a multi rate spring. Heavy duty and increased wheel travel made a big difference. We also used Dunlap tires which were way better then the stock tires.

[Airfoolers.com] – What about when the 83 250R came out with the longer suspension and narrow front tire? Did that change the sport again in a major way?
[Corda] – That made a night and day difference as far as desert racing goes. For flat track we still used the smaller tires.

[Airfoolers.com] – When did you notice riders start to abandon their first-gen 250R’s in favor of it or did some racers stay with there heavily modified 82’s until they could figure out the 83’s better?
[Corda] – It’s a little hard for me to remember now that I’m 52 yrs old, we raced what we had until it wore out. We had so much money in after market products on our trikes that when the new ones came out, financially we could not just go buy the 83 250R because the parts were not interchangeable.

[Airfoolers.com] – Craig, if you don’t mind, I’d like to run a few ‘old school’ names by you and you could tell me what you remember about them. Share a story or even one word.

[Corda]
* Mike Coe – Always prepared, fast and he was hard to read on race day.

* Brett Driscoll – Good friend, got me started 3 wheeling. Great rider, could win any time. We have alot of great memories together.

* Marty Hart – Hes a quiet guy, but his 3 wheeler did the talking for him.

* Mark Weixeldorfer – Funny, awesome rider, invented the wax on seat. Most liked out of the Honda riders (other then Brett)

* Mickey Dunlap – Knew of him, but didn’t know him personally. Good flat track racer.

* Jimmy White – I knew who he was, but didn’t know him

* Bob ‘Ace’ Williams – Awesome rider, great personality

* Dean Sundahl – Can ride anything, and still does. I have known Dean for many years and he is still racing.

* Tracey Dickson – Built the first tricked out 3 wheeler, cromo frame, huskey 250 motor, with ohlein shocks, and huskey forks. Back then it was over the top COOL. when he showed up at the race with it, I didn’t even want to compete. Super nice guy and helpful.

[Airfoolers.com] – What was the most advanced piece of 3wheeler technology that you were in on ‘the ground floor’ of?
[Corda] – I would say that the adjustable steering stabileizer was one of the cool things that we tried and liked. Also, the 360 motor that we helped sell and developed with Mugen. We also were on the ground floor of adding lights for the long Baja races.

[Airfoolers.com] – What were the most common shortcomings of the aircooled R’s? How did you guys overcome these shortcomings?
[Corda] – Different parts of the frame would crack easy so we would gusset the steering head, the foot peg mounts and swing arms. After every race we would inspect the trikes and had to weld the cracks.

[Airfoolers.com] – Give us your best story while riding an Airfooler!
[Corda] – A non race story: Every wed. night a group of friends would go on a ride to the sand dunes near my house. It was a small 5 acres dune area that we set a track up at, we would have all of our friends and girlfriends, we would ride double. We had such a blast drinking beer and riding all night without any problems.

A race story: The Ensenada 100 which ran through town, onto the beach and the dunes. It was cool because we were racing through town while people were shopping, eating and had no idea what these maniacs on 3wheelers were doing on the streets. A cop showed me his radar gun and he had clocked me at 93 mph down Ensenada’s main street. At the finish I had such a huge lead that I was already out of my riding gear by the time the 2nd place racer showed up. Good times!

[Airfoolers.com] – When was the last time you threw a leg over a trike and rode one? Do you still own one?
[Corda] – I don’t own one anymore, I wish I would have saved one it would fun to have it on display. The last trick I rode was probly the Tiger 500 back in 1986 right before Yamaha signed Brett and I for the Banshee.

[Airfoolers.com] – Does it surprise you that there is still a large community of people who still ride and restore 3 wheelers? What do you think gives them such a lasting appeal?
[Corda] – Yes, anything that is unique will always keep people interested. I think its super that people want to restore these outlawed ATV’s and to preserve their history.

[Airfoolers.com] – By 1987 the 3 wheeling party was over and everyone moved onto quads, but when did riders first realize this was going to happen? How did you guys ‘prepare’ for the ‘ban’ ?
[Corda] – We had heard that the 3 wheelers were being banned, and Tigers quad never came about. I was going to retire until Brett gave me a call and said that Yamaha needed a a rider for the up coming Baja 1000 and the new Yamaha Banshee team. I stayed with Yamaha for four years and closed my career with 4 Baja 1000 wins. What a great way to retire.

[Airfoolers.com] – Where did you go and what have you been doing since you ended your racing career?
[Corda] – After I retired racing ATV’s, I still love Baja racing so I built and raced a class 8/ Trophy truck for four years. Had a good time racing SCORE and the Baja races. I now ride dual sport bikes for fun with friends in our local desert, mountains and in Baja.

I am a farmer in the Imperial Valley and my wife and I are enjoying traveling and are in the process of building a vacation home in Southern Costa Rica.

[Airfoolers.com] – Any last words for our readers Craig?
[Corda] – I think its great to see that you are starting an online museum and if I can help with photos, articles, or all things related to ATC’s please let me know. I’m sure I will run across some fun facts or photos to send you soon.

Thanks again Saul and all the people at airfoolers.com,
Craig Corda