Few people can claim they are the best at what they do. Tucker Hibbert is one of them.
Hibbert is the best snowmobile racer in the world, based on his winning percentage and string of eight straight X Games SnoCross championships. He has won nine X Games titles — his first as a 15-year-old in 2000 and every one since 2007.
Hibbert, who lives in Pelican Rapids, Minn., has won 110 of 188 Pro National events over his 16-year career for an impressive 58.5 winning percentage. He learned how to race from his father, Kirk, a former national and world champion in snowmobile racing who now serves as his son's crew chief.
Hibbert, 31, will compete Friday and Saturday at the Canterbury Park Snocross National event in Shakopee, then prepare for the X Games at the end of the month.
BS: Why are you so good?
TH: I don't know. I do all the things I feel an athlete and competitor should do to be the best they can be. I spend a lot of time getting ready for races, … and fortunately I've had a lot of success. I'm getting a little older, compared to some of my competitors, but feeling as good as I ever have.
BS: When did you know you weren't just good but among the elite snowmobile competitors?
TH: I grew up going to the races with my dad. I spent a lot of time with him racing and being a fan mostly, hanging out and watching and learning. I was so fired up to race and couldn't wait to get out there. I'd ride around in the yard pretending I was out there. For me, there wasn't a time I decided I'd be really good. I wanted to ride and push myself to be good. It's still like that today.
BS: Is it fair to say you are the LeBron James of snowmobile racing, or are you even better than he is in basketball?
TH: I don't follow basketball too much, so I'm not sure. I love what I do, and I'm proud of the success.
BS: You have won eight X Games in a row. How important is it to make it nine in a row and 10 overall?
TH: It would be awesome. I want to win every time I go to the track, whether it's X Games or a national event. I don't have a certain goal of making it 10 gold or nine in a row. I'm taking it year by year and race by race.
BS: When did you ride a snowmobile solo for the first time?
TH: The first snowmobile I rode was an Arctic Cat Kitty Cat. It was the perfect size for me. I was about 18 months old. I got a pretty young start. I was able to crash it a few times and break the windshield and hood. My dad would duct tape the hood and the windshield. I had a lot of success when I was young. I learned a lot and improved a lot in a short period of time. I started doing bigger races when I was 14. Winning X Games at 15 was a cool experience for me and taught me a lot.
BS: Did you parents discourage you to go fast at first, or did they encourage it?
TH: They never really pushed me to go fast or get better or do anything. I took it upon myself to challenge myself. I see a lot of parents at tracks pushing their kids to go faster and do better; I don't remember that. I remember wanting to ride all the time. My mother would flash the porch light at night to come in, and I would make believe I didn't see it.
BS: How influential and instrumental has your father been to your success?
TH: Huge. He was very successful, so he's taught me a ton. He works with me every day on my race team. He's a huge part of my success.
BS: If there was a blind drawing for snowmobiles, would you still win, or are the snowmobiles you've raced a big reason for you success?
TH: It's a combination, for sure. I couldn't win if my snowmobile wasn't good. My team looks at every single detail and doesn't overlook anything. For instance, making sure all our spare parts are organized to make sure we have every single spare part prepared. Some people overlook some of those details.
BS: You're only 31. How many more years do you want to compete ?
TH: I'm not going to make it to 50, I can tell you that. My dad competed successfully as a professional until he was 40 or 41. I see that as possible, but I don't see myself racing too much past 35. I take it year by year, and I'm thankful for the opportunities I have.
BS: Do you have a job other than this?
TH: This is it, my full-time job right now. I do some motorcycle racing and mountain bike racing in the summer, but in winter it's all snowmobile racing. It's more than a full-time job for us; I love what I do.
BS: How lucrative is it?
TH: We have a lot of great sponsors and a lot of companies that have been behind me. Arctic Cat has been behind us, and Monster energy drink, Ram truck and Bosch tools. It's definitely a business. We pay our bills every month. It's been really good for us. Obviously, winning helps a lot.
Bob Sansevere can be heard on "The BS Show," which airs 1-2 p.m., Monday-Friday on The Tom Barnard Network (tombarnardpodcast.com). It also can be downloaded at thebsshow.net.
