Get to Know Chris Clark

Posted October 13, 2025

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Chris Clark finished this weekend’s FIM Yamaha R3 Blu Cru World Cup in fifth after a successful campaign in the series. He was the first American to contest the full WorldSSP300 series in 2024 for the Smrz Racing Team and still rides with Smrz Racing Team in 2025. His season started with instant success, winning the first race in Portimão after getting third in qualifying and finishing third in the second race in a brilliant weekend. His season continued with fast starts and electric racing after finishing on the podium in Misano and narrowly missing the podium at Donington Park, Balaton Park and at Aragón.

We sat down with Chris in Estoril to find out more about him.

What inspired you to get into racing?

“Definitely my dad. I grew up watching MotoGP and some World Superbikes, especially Valentino Rossi. He was our favourite rider to watch and we would always cheer for him. My little brother and my dad would wake up on Sunday mornings to watch the races. It became a thing with my dad and my little brother. So eventually my dad got me a little Yamaha TTR 110 and I never looked back. I loved it. Immediately when I got on a bike, I was ready to race. We needed to practice a little bit so we would ride in our neighbourhood, in this little cul-de-sac and we made our own little tracks and annoyed the neighbours so much that the cops got called on us but that was where I learned everything. After a few weeks of that, we went straight into racing at this little karting track in America called Sandy Hook Speedway. It is basically my home track, I love going back there.”

Your brother is also involved in racing, how was it to ?

“I started with him and my first race actually was an endurance race with him. It was 100 laps on a little 50 bike at Sandy Hook. It has been really cool to watch him progress with me. Now he is on the big bikes as well and I would love to see him actually racing over here in Europe as well.”

What was the culture difference like between Washington and coming to Europe for the races?

“I had never been to Europe much and the culture was just straight up different. In the paddock and with everything. As the year has progressed, I feel more like I belong here. It’s a community and I have picked up things from the Czech guys in my team. Like funny words and stuff. It’s a different way of life. As much fun as I am having over here and enjoying my life and doing all these amazing things there are still times where I just want to see my mom. I want to go back to see my family and run on a familiar route and this kind of stuff but I deal with it. You can just connect with people you know back home and even here in the paddock when you’re feeling homesick and it always does the trick for me.”

How would you describe your racing style?

“No rider actually comes to mind that I like to emulate but I have picked up things from many different people like training with PJ Jacobsen in America. He rides in MotoAmerica Supersport. Also learning through Kuba [Team Manager] and from all these MotoGP and WorldSBK riders. I don’t know how I would describe it. I want to be the first Chris Clark.”

How did it feel to come to Europe for your first full season and get the win in Portimão?

“It was beautiful. I have to say at the least it was a beautiful day. Back at home, I was kind of newer to racing and I wasn’t really sure where I stood over these past years and I built a lot of confidence. The track became like a community for me and to get a win here was just amazing. The sights are very similar between Estoril and Portimão. I’m looking forward to this weekend and Portugal so far has treated me well so let’s see. Hopefully it becomes my new home country.”

What has been your favourite motorsport memory aside from your win in Portimão?

“It has to be my race in the Czech Republic last year in Supersport 300 with my Czech team. The energy that it brought in with all the the people that care about this team and all the hard work that everyone puts in and that I see from the team. Everyone came together to support us and to do the race in front of them, it felt like a home race even though I was in a completely different continent. It was actually my best result of the season. I finished 18th at Most. It was very cool to do well in front of my Czech family and of course the team.”

What has the atmosphere been like after that with your team?

“With Kuba, he is the one that helped me get over here. He gave me the opportunity and he is like family to me at this point. He is a really great guy and I really look up to him. His family too, I feel like I have become a part of it by hanging out with them a lot. Then with the team, with the mechanics and everyone supporting us, it is so amazing to see how everyone comes together and does something we’re passionate about and that becomes the World Superbike weekend.”

Do you have any superstitions?

“A ‘little stitious’. Yeah I mean before my races I’m always messing with my Rubik’s Cubes. I feel like it helps me get into the right mind space. It’s fun to do that. I always go for a run before because I don’t want to know what happens if I don’t. Maybe it’s not superstition. That’s just something I do. My actual superstition is I always put my gear on in the same way. I start in the same order every time because if I don’t, there’ll be big trouble. So, I need my undersuit first and then my suit but I don’t zip anything up yet. I then go my left boot first, then my right boot and then my airbag. My gloves left, then right. I don’t know why but it just feels right and if I don’t do it then I feel like I’m going to struggle.”

Best performance you think you have had so far this season aside from the win?

“Aragón. I think the biggest reason why is because I was in Europe for so long beforehand. I just felt at home.  When I got to the race, I was just ready but there was just something in me. It’s not just about on track. Confidence is literally everything.  I think the biggest thing for me that is a predictor of success in the track is how I’m feeling off the track and that takes place, weeks before the race even starts. So that’s just making sure I’m in the right headspace and that I’m feeling confident. I’m feeling good and I’m just taking care of the things I need to. That’s off the track. I like journalling and stuff and writing and I’m not a good writer, but I do it. It gives me time to just chill and just do nothing, like turn the phone off and just be quiet and just sit and go through walks through nature, this kind of stuff, just to like feel connected to the earth and myself and ground myself.”

Who is your team away from the track?

“Michael [Hill] manages me. He manages my socials and everything. I met him a few years ago at a MotoAmerica race and then I started working with him and he helped me get into this paddock. I am forever thankful for that, because this is my new home. I love it. At the races if I need someone to talk to, I go to him. Away from the races, if I ever need something taken care of, he’s my guy.  You know, he’s there with everything. And of course, I’ve stayed with him up north in the UK and it was really cool and we played some padel and he’s a good guy. He’s very competitive.  And next time I see him, I will beat him in Ten Pin Bowling and padel and whatever else we do, no problem.”

How was the start of your career and what was being in America like in comparison?

“I started like my first like big national race was in MotoAmerica in the Mini Cup on a little Ohvales with a bunch of kids from around the country. Actually one of them is here this weekend racing with me in the Blu Cru Cup, which is really cool. Nathan Bettencourt is the other American on the grid this week which is pretty cool. I did the Mini Cup for about two years and it was really cool.  It felt like a lot of pressure at first, but looking back on it, it was really cool. My first race was in Wisconsin at MotoAmerica Superbikes and there was maybe a thousand people outside watching and it was the biggest race I have ever done. I was so nervous, but it was such a special experience.  And then there after that, I went into the North America Talent Cup, which was separate from MotoAmerica, but we did a few races with Moto America. I did some junior cup races and honestly, it did not go the best, but it was a great learning experience.  Yeah, it wasn’t very good but I learnt a lot. In MotoAmerica, the guys there were really awesome and when I look back I miss some really good friends over there. But over here in Europe, it’s also really cool because we’ll come all over the world and get to experience all the different cultures and that’s probably my favourite part.  It’s just different types of experience from what you’re going to get in America.”

Quick Fire Questions

Would you rather have a win from pole or a win from back of the grid?

“Back of the grid. It is more fun.”

Would you rather start at the back of the grid or get a time penalty?

“Back of the grid again, 100%. If it’s only a grid pen, I can do something about it.”

Would you rather stay in a hotel or motorhome at the track during a race weekend?

“Motorhome. I want to be at the track the whole time. It keeps me grounded.”

What’s your current hype song?

“The ‘Commander’s Song by Oh Goody ft Big57.’ It’s a goofy song but they are my team.”

What is more stressful for you: the five minutes before qualifying or the 5 minutes before race?

“Qualifying. For the race, I already know what I’m going to do. For qualifying, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Would you prefer a wet or dry race?

“Dry.”

Who is your biggest sporting idol?

“Jayden Daniels. He’s also number 5. I have so many. Terry McLaurin. Taylor Heneicke. My team is the Washington Commanders. I love their games so much. I grew up watching them with my dad and older brother and I watch all their games. When I watch them, I’m crazy. I have got my really big hat and I have sunglasses and I have like 10 jerseys – I don’t wear them all at once, I rotate them. I get just as hyped up for the game as I do my own races. It is so intense. Racing and football are on the same level for me. I love them both so much.”

Do you rewatch races and if so what do you look for? At yourself or do you study other riders?

“I watch the races back all the time, I’m watching every single thing I did. If I’m studying for a race, I’ll watch it back and I’m mostly watching for me anyway to see where I can improve.”

What’s your go-to cheat meals?

“Chocolate chip cookies as a meal. American Mac and Cheese. I love pizza and hamburgers. Very American I know.”

Do you prefer racing in America or Europe?

“Europe. But let’s say they added an American round back to World Superbikes, perfect. If I could have a race in America, it would be so amazing. That is my dream. Any day. I want to race in America in front of my friends and family and everyone, and for the people I know. That’s what I want. I don’t care where it is. Give me the people. It’s more about the people, not the place.”