Checking in with Eugene Fiorotto

Sean Butterman:Hey man I wanted to get an update on you. This year in the SMEC Championship in the smec1 250 pro class you and Steve Ingram had split moto wins at the first two rounds and at the third round you won moto 1 but had a massive get off in moto 2. how is your recovery is going?

Eugene Fiorotto: It's going good, but very slow. Still have a long road ahead of me. It's very doubtful that I will race supermoto again.

SB: Oh wow. I’m not sure how to respond to that, I’m sorry dude. That’s rough I feel like you and Steve Ingram was such a fun battle to follow this year, you both stepped up your level. It’s gotta be heart wrenching to go out like that but maybe there’s some solace in the fact that you where doing what all us racers dream of fighting for race wins and the championship. Do you want to share what all was injured? And maybe talked some about how you felt about how the racing was going?

EF17: To be honest I wasn't even going to race this season. I ended the 2022 season 4th overall in the championship, due to missing the LOTW race. I told everyone I was hanging it up. But Sam Lakas #66 told me to give it one more year. So over the winter and early spring I worked out, did tons of mtn.biking and by the time VIR came late in May I was ready to go out and win this championship! So I broke both my tib, fib in both legs right at the ankle. Right foot also suffered a few broken foot bones. My left however was not as good, my heel bone was destroyed and actually was compounded out the inside of my foot. I also had back fractures in L5 and L6 and 3 fractured ribs.

SB: So we can blame Lakas… just kidding. Damn that is a serious list for an injury. Wow. Do you still have more surgery’s remaining to fix stuff?

EF17: Lol, no nobody's to blame here just was a freak accident. So surgeries are done, but the Dr said depending on how my foot recovers (side with the heel injury) there's a very small possibility that I might need cosmetic surgery to graft skin there to cover the exit wound. I'm hoping that's not the case!! I don't want any extra recovery time!!!

SB: No doubt, here is to you staying on the road to recovery with no complications. Let’s switch it up and talk about your SM history. What brought you to the sport of Supermoto and what was your first sm bike?

***EF17***: I appreciate it! So I rode sport bikes back when I lived in Arizona, I lived pretty close to Mussleman Honda Circuit. My R6 was to big for that track and a buddy of mine, Ian Adolphe had a 04 YZ450f supermoto he let me try and I was hooked! I went out and found a 03 YZ450f and pieced together my 1st supermoto in 2015 I believe.

SB: Oh snap that’s awesome, I too had a 2003 yzf450 but it was my second Supermoto bike in 2004. Those 4 speeds where gnarly from what I recall. Did you have any dirt experience before this or just road race?

EF17: I never raced any motorcycle event until the 2016 AMA nationals in Tucson. I just rode dirtbikes for fun growing up. So I have literally no background in racing at all. I did race some Harescrambles back here in NY once I moved back to the east coast in 2018

SB: Oh wow I didn’t know that! So how did that first race go?

EF17: So the Tucson race in 2016 was awesome, I think I qualified 16th out of 30 plus bikes. Moto 1 turn 1 I got hit from behind lol and had to battle back from last. I think I finished 14th in Amateur that race? I dunno it's been a while. Plus I was on a heavy CRF450X too! Lol

SB: I was at that race but just to hang out as i was recoverimg from a knee surgery, Larry Pegram rode my bike that day. So I was correct in correct in remembering you as a west coast guy before east coast. What was your favorite sm race?

EF17: I think my favorite race was the streets of Sturgis. I had a great time racing that weekend. But I'd say my most memorable race was by far the Quebec grand prix round. I pitted with Kevin Wehr and riding through the town and people wanting high fives as I rode by and some little kids wanting me to sign their shirts will by far live in my memories! RIP #9

EF17: After he passed, I had my graphics guy make this as part of my design. Since then, I run it on all my bikes and jerseys.

SB: Kevin was awesome. Sturgis was my favorite as well.

What race or racing accomplishment are you most pround of?

EF17: I'd say this year's VIR race was my proudest moment in my supermoto career. I earned that overall win. It was a hard battle to the end and I stuck with it, and it was my 1st pro win.

SB: I love that. Have you always been into building your bikes out? The last few years you have had some of the sweetest bikes in the paddock

EF17: I have, its more of an addiction lol. I get carried away when it comes to builds, whether it's supermotos or bicycles

SB: Thanks for taking the time to reply to me today brother. A couple more questions Who has been your biggest rival?

EF17: No problem butters always a pleasure to chat! I'd for sure say my biggest rival has been Steve Ingram ever since I moved to 250 pro. But im also my worst rival sometimes, doubting my abilities to win and push on.

SB: What’s the dirtiest move you have pulled or had pulled on you?

EF17: I can't say I've ever done any dirty moves, I try to ride clean and always enjoyed hanging out with everyone in the pits more then racing most times. Not saying anyone did me dirty but I did end up with a hole in my tire at a Tucson night race before on a brand new tire just saying.

SB: What are your career highlights you would like shown and who would you like to thank?

EF17: My career highlights would be 3rd overall in AMA amateur 2017, champion of southwest supermoto series (AZ series) 2017. I was the champion of SMEC 2 in 2019 and again in 2020. Jay let me run #1 in amateur again due to covid and a shorter season. I would love to thank my very caring girlfriend Jeni Huber for putting up with my racing addiction and to my sponsors over the years for helping with the bikes and gear. Lastly I wanted to add my own bit on this interview I have to say it's been one hell of a run, I made some great friends, traveled the country, and had some great racing battles. I can say I went out on top my last race! And when I look back at my time supermoto racing, I will always have great memories of great adventures with great people!!