By Danny Brault

Photos by Allison Kennedy

Richmond Racing Team Green Kawasaki’s Colton Facciotti has been on fire this past fall, winning races in Montreal, Europe and Toronto, and is now setting his sights on the Lites class this weekend in Anaheim, California. At the Vancouver WSXGP, Facciotti nearly pulled the holeshot in his qualifier and battled with the Lites’ best. Unfortunately, in the main event an early crash kept him from repeating that performance. We caught up with Facciotti as he prepares for the biggest race of his young career at A1 this weekend.

RXC: Colton, what have you been up to since Vancouver?

Colton Facciotti: Well, I took a couple of weeks off for Christmas, and then I came down to California last Wednesday, I believe. So I’ve been down here for about a week.

Who are you staying with down there?

The Wilson family.

Oh, that’s nice. Is the Wilson family treating you well?

Real good, they’re really nice people.

What’s your routine been like in California?

Wake up, go riding, come back, go to the gym, and then go to bed. That’s about it.

You’re not out chasing around any California women? [Laughs]

No, I wish. [Laughs] That’s what I should be doing.

So who has been at the track with you? The Richmond team or are you by yourself?

No, usually just by myself. Sometimes Dean [Wilson] comes with me once in a while.

Do you have your own vehicle down there?

Yep. I drove my truck and trailer down here from BC.

What are you driving for a truck?

A Ford F350.

What’s your trailer like?

Oh, it’s a semi. [Laughs] No, it’s like the smallest trailer you can get, pretty much, it barely fits two bikes.

I take it you’ve been riding mainly supercross tracks.

Yeah, I’ve been riding at Competitive Edge, Elsinore, and a couple of private tracks.

Are there many guys out there riding with you?

Usually you see a few guys out there. The other day [Eric] Sorby was out there and Brady [Sheren] too. And just a few other guys; I can’t even remember their names.

Are you feeling good?

Yep, pretty good.

You looked fast in Vancouver.

Yeah, until I crashed.

What happened there? Didn’t you fall in a rhythm section?

Yeah, I just … kind of thought I could do the jump, but I hit a low line, cased it and went over the bars.

I was talking with your mother during practice, and she mentioned it took you a little time to get comfortable on your race bike. What was different about it compared to your bikes in the Canadian AX Championships?

It was the first time that I rode that bike. I’ve never ridden with a mod motor on the ’06 KX250F and it was the first time I ever used the suspension, so it just took a little time to get used to.

So I take it you’re feeling comfortable on the bike, now?

Oh yeah, it’s awesome. They’re definitely fast; it’s probably the fastest bike I’ve ever ridden.

Going back to Vancouver, did you have any expectations for that race?

My goal was for top 10. Didn’t quite get that, but….

What will your set up be like at Anaheim this weekend?

I will be in the privateer parking, with a box van.

Who will be wrenching for you at A1?

His name’s Eddy, he was [Ryan] Villopoto’s mechanic last year, I think. I just met him the other day; we were just talking and getting things going. He seems like a good guy.

Do you have any goals for A1?

Mainly just to get into the main and have fun. I think I can do decent; I’m not going to go out there and putt around.

Would you be upset if it was another mudder at Angel Stadium this year?

I could really care less; [Laughs] either way it’s good.

So are pumped up for your first season racing supercross?

Oh yeah, it should be good.

Awesome. Good luck this weekend, Colton.

Thanks, talk to you later.