By Allison Kennedy
Photos by James Lissimore

After RXC photographer James Lissimore caught up with Dusty for the first shots on his Star Racing Yamaha, we gave the Canadian champ a call to see how it feels to be riding blue. Dusty is living in Riverside, California and is getting settled into his routine with the Star Racing crew. We caught up with Dusty after his first few days on the team Yamaha to see how he feels about his newest challenge: the world of U.S. Supercross.

RXC: Congrats on your first few days with Star Racing. What have they been like?
Dusty Klatt: I got to Cali late on Tuesday. I took Wednesday off and met up with the team on Thursday. Wednesday, I just got settled in and had some rest. We went up to the track on Thursday and tried out the bike and rode for a bit there and then I went up again on Friday. The team is awesome. Everyone on the team—all the mechanics—are pretty laid back, they seem like nice guys. So, I’m looking forward to it. The bike is awesome. It’s really fast. It’s a little bit different; it will take a little getting used to. Factory motors and suspension are a little bit different than what I’m used to. It’s different but it’s new and it’s good. I can’t complain. It doesn’t get any better than this.

How are the factory motors and suspension different?
Power wise, the motor might be a little bit better than what I’ve had before but the suspension is what I noticed most. When I sat on the thing, it barely even moved, so that explains the difference. That’s probably why all the factory bikes look like the suspension is barely moving in the whoops. So I’ve just been trying to get used to that and just ride as much as I can for now. Hopefully we’ll start setting the bike up for me in a few days.

You had a chance to ride a Yamaha in Chilliwack, but your Star bike must be totally different?
Definitely, it’s not even the same bike. It didn’t even feel close to what I am riding now. The suspension was different and this bike is obviously a lot faster. But it was good to get a feel for the bike before I came down. It was nice of Clearbrook to lend me a bike there for the weekend.

You’ve spent a long, long time on Honda’s. How tough do you think it will be to get used to the Yamaha’s?
I’m starting to feel comfortable on it already. The more time I have on it, the better I think I'm going to feel. Hopefully, I will just keep on it as much as I can. I will just get back into my routine and get things going and I’ll be ready when the time comes.  

Tell me a bit about the team? Who are your teammates?
There’s me, Matt Lemoine, Brock Tickle and Sean Collier.

Have you had a chance to meet them yet?
No, I’ve only met Sean Collier so far; he’s a pretty nice kid.

Is that who was riding in the back of the RXC photos?
No, that was Brandon Jesseman. I met him and Josh Hill. Langston was out there the first day too, but I had to run home for something and when I got back, he was gone.

Aren’t some of the team mechanic’s Canadians who once worked for Riverside Yamaha?
Yes, two of them are Canadian, Greg and Brad. They used to work for Riverside Yamaha. They seem like nice guys. I don’t think I have a set mechanic quite yet. I don’t know who it’s going to be yet but it will be good. The bike is fast, so, it’s all good.

Where have you been riding?
We’re riding at the Yamaha test track right now and I think the team has connections at Castillo Ranch, so I might be able to go out there too. That’s a bit of a drive though. Lake Elsinore is close by but I hear it doesn’t get groomed as much, and Competitive Edge is nearby. I don’t really have my practice bike yet; so far I just meet up with the team and ride. We are just waiting for the ’07 bikes to arrive. The one I’ve been on so far is an ’06 but it’s a full on race bike with a new motor and suspension.

What kind of training routine will you have?
I have to set up with the team when I’m going riding. I think I’ll set it up to go riding first thing and do my program later in the day. So far it seems we have to arrange when we want to go to the track. I think if [Chad] Reed is up there, they don’t want too many riders out. So we’ll have to wait and see what his schedule is I guess.

Where are you staying?
I’m staying in Riverside, about five minutes from my uncle’s house. With a friend named Jim. Pat O’Connor and I met him when we were down here before.  He’s also good friends with Donovan Mitchell, who’s part of the Star team.

Do you know which coast you’ll be racing yet?
I’m racing east as of right now. It’s me and Brock on the east and Sean and Matt Lemoine on the west. Which is all right. I didn’t mind the east tracks last year. There are only two open roof races, so there’s less chance of getting rained on.

Will you be coming home to race WSX?
If I’m up to it, I can go but whether I feel ready or not is another question. I know the team had planned on doing Toronto but I’m not sure if they plan to do Vancouver. I should know by the end of this week I think. I’ve already missed out on a month of riding [waiting on my visa] so it’s pretty much just playing catch up and getting more time on the bike now.

There was a lot of talk about which U.S. deal you’d take, and a lot of fans were hopeful that you’d be on a 450 outdoors. How are you feeling about being on the 250F for your first full season down south?
Right from the get go, when I was looking into this deal, it sounded good. They have factory motors and suspension, and it was something new that I had never really tried. I’m on pretty much one of the best 250Fs out there; I can’t go wrong. I’m looking forward to it. There were a lot more options open to me on a 250F than a 450 and I am happy with the way things turned out. Knowing that the bike is going to be good, I am looking forward to this season for sure. As of right now, I just want to put in a good year and then see what happens. To be quite honest, I think the team just wants me to make it through the supercross season and be healthy for the outdoors.

How was working with your agent, Tony Gardea?
Tony’s been an awesome guy. [Laughs] Actually, I haven’t even met the guy yet. But hopefully we’ll go out for lunch sometime this week, and I can get to know him in person. So far, he’s been an awesome guy and it’s been good working with him.

Overall, did he give you an idea of how receptive the teams were to hiring a Canadian?
I think I am the first Canadian rider he’s worked with. I’d imagine it wasn’t easy to get people to look at a Canadian. Hopefully it all works out this year and maybe I’ll land something big next year. Maybe it will pave the way for some other kids, as long as they look at it seriously. There doesn’t seem to be much of that up there…

That brings me to my next question. With yourself out of the Canadian national picture next summer, who do you think will step it up and challenge JSR for the title?
Challenge JSR? I’d have to say no one, as rude as that may sound. Blair, I think would have the best shot out of anyone, I would think. He’s been there before. As long as he stays healthy and maybe gets on the bike earlier, I could see him possibly being up there. I don’t think there really is anyone to be quite honest. Colt [Facciotti] was there a couple of times, I guess, but he had bike problems and stuff. I don’t know. We pretty much lapped all the kids every race.

It’s pretty early for this one, but what do you think are the chances you’ll be part of the Budds Creek Des Nations team?
I definitely want to be there. Since I am here, and everything would be close, I can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t be able to bring my race bike, so I would be all for it. No questions asked. If we could get the team we had before, me, JSR and Blair, I think that was the strongest team we’ve had. Who knows? Hopefully we could put something together again like at Lierop, as long as everyone is healthy. I would definitely like to do it if my name comes up.

What are the chances that we’ll see you back in Canada for a few races next summer?
It’s really hard to say. It’s up to Bobby [Reagan]. I don’t know. It’s another chance of getting hurt, to come up and run the number one. I really don’t know right now, I might know closer to the national season. But it will depend on what Star Racing says.

Thanks, Dusty. We’ll miss you up here next summer, but your Canadian fans are excited about seeing you do us proud down south. Good luck.
Thanks. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a new challenge. It’s a completely new challenge, a new bike, a new scene, I am learning all over again. I am just glad I am here. I’ll keep in touch.