After re-signing with REDLINE for the next 2-years, Kim Hayashi is hot after her record-making 5th NBL No.1 title. With her focus on that accomplishment, as well as training hard to qualify for one of the 2 spots on the USA’s Olympic BMX Team, with ASU college classes and graduation thrown in between it all, Kim is definitely one busy girl.

With the latest NBL point standings showing her with a 12 point lead over Canada’s Sammy Cools, we had a chance to speak with Lil’ Kim and get her take on the first quarter of her ‘07 BMX season.

ARIZONA [PHOENIX]:

The ABA Winternationals was your first ABA race of the year. How’d it go for you?

KIM: “It was a challenge. I didn’t feel all that prepared for it, but being in my backyard, I figured I should race it.”

All of the Pro mains were wild; more crashes than usual, it seemed. How did yours go?

KIM: “Each main was pretty crazy. People were crashin’ everywhere. I felt happy and lucky to have taken a 2nd and a 3rd place.”

FLORIDA [SARASOTA] – ROUND 1:

Seems like you’re always the one to beat at NBL’s back-to-back Spring Break nationals. How’d the first round of Florida go for you?

KIM: “I didn’t get the greatest start in the UCi race, and I ended getting pushed up in the first turn. So I ended up with a 6th place on Saturday. But Sunday’s race was a lot better. I got a better start and battled with Argentina’s Gabriella Diaz. Again, I got pushed up in the turn, but fought my way back up to the front and wound up pulling a 3rd.”

FLORIDA [ORLANDO] – ROUND 2:

NBL and Florida are well known for their tracks and turnouts. What’d you think of Orlando this year?

KIM: “The track was really well built. I had thought Sarasota was better last year, than it was this time. But Orlando was really fast and technical. Not really long.”

Was the weather typical sunny Florida in April?

KIM:“It was a bit windy and a little chilly at times. But the weather cooperated.”

And this was another important UCi points race, right?

KIM: “Yes. My motos went well and I felt like I was riding okay. But I could feel my first straights weren’t up to par. In the main event, I came out of the gate and bumped with both Krystal Hime and Diaz. I got the bad end of the deal and came unclipped.”

Was it over then?

KIM:“It’s never over. I clipped back in and charged the third straight. I passed (Stephanie) Barrigan, then (Rachel) Smith, but ran out of track to grab a spot on the podium.”

How about Sunday?

KIM: “Sunday was much better. I felt a lot better and it definitely showed. I won all my motos and come main time, I was feeling great. I came out of the gate in 2nd, again behind Diaz. I railed the 2nd corner and started pulling her down the third straight. I got past her for a bit, but suddenly got crazy over the step-up going in to the last turn. That bobble cost me the win, and I took second for the day. It was a good race and everybody was on the edge of their seats. Gabriella and I always put on good show for the crowd.”

Thanks Kim. And good luck in your quest for a fifth NBL title.