FEBRUARY 14, 2008
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Jeff Northrop does his best "Ricky Bobby" on the Nanaimo podium. |
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James Lissimore photo |
By Danny Brault
The news has finally broken: Jeff Northrop will race the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals for Royal Distributing KTM Canada. “Norcal” joins Tim Tremblay in the MX1 division. We’re pretty happy that KTM’s Andy White brought back the personable Northrop. The energy, humour and speed of Northrop fits in well up north. Before Northrop starts burning fuel in his KTM, he will finish up his supercross duties in the West Coast Lites series. Right now, he sits 17th in points with four top-15 finishes. Considering all of that, we figured it was the perfect time to call Northrop for this edition of “My Take.”
Striking a deal for 2008
Yeah, we signed it last weekend with the KTM team. I’m pumped. I think it’s good so far. We’re trying to link up with KTM because they’re right down the street, to do some production testing and straight testing for them. Sleeter’s hurt right now, so it’s an opportunity for me to get in there and do some testing for him.
The KTM 450 SX-F
I haven’t really been on the 450, other than racing one in Germany in December and I liked the bike. The guys here at KTM—Casey Lytle—gave me a bike to ride for a few days. I really liked the bike. It’s a fun bike!
Your supercross results so far
My goal was to get in the top 10. In a way, I’m not happy with my results; in another way, I’m doing a lot better than some of the others trying to race as privateers. I’m feel like I’m doing all right, but when you’re not reaching your goals, you’re not satisfied.
The team you’re racing for in supercross
It’s kind of like a privateer team we put together. A friend back home has a business called SPN Management and they started off doing marketing and representation. They did that last year and another guy came with some money for the team—and I helped bring along sponsors who have been with me. They use a smaller truck, like a fun mover.
Favourite track this year
Phoenix was pretty cool. It was pretty fast.
Best supercross race you’ve ever had
I’d have to say Phoenix, because I rode hard, I had pressure from my teammate but I rode solid. I rode well the whole race; I didn’t make many mistakes.
“Norcal”
It’s mostly because I’m from Northern California. When I was riding for the Team Green deal, Craig Martin, who was the team manager, called me it every time he saw me. Then everybody at Kawasaki started calling me Norcal and it just stuck.
Travis Pastrana’s backflip at San Diego
That was nuts. It’s funny because I was sitting there beside him, and Windham was joking about doing a backflip and Pastrana just laughed. Then he went out and did a nac-nac and pulls a backflip. I couldn’t believe it. He did it so easily. That’s gotta be in the books!
Hottest female in supercross
I would say [Erin] Bate. She’s pretty hot. I like Canadian girls [laughs].
Energy drink
I like Red Bull.
Montreal Supercross
I plan on going this year. I think the event is awesome. That’s why this year I told KTM that I wanted that in my contract [to race Montreal]. It’s fun; a lot of people show up.
Most entertaining Canadian that you’ve met
I think it’s gotta be Newf! That guy is always talking about something, or talking about himself, about how he should do something or not do something. He’s always got something going on [laughs]. ‘No doubt aboot it!’ that’s what everyone says when they hear Lockhart [laughs].
Toughest competitor in Canada
Carpenter. It seemed like I ran into that guy all the time. He and I would always battle. I think he passed me the majority of the time; he was an animal last year. Calgary and Regina we ran into each other … oh, and I think I did beat him—in Regina but we got docked so it kind of sucked.
First race in Canada
I think it would have been Nanaimo with Richmond in 2004. I couldn’t actually believe it was a national. You see the nationals on TV, and they look awesome, and your hopes for the track get wiped away. It gets better though when you get to Calgary and start heading east. I liked that track with the deep sand start, Sand Del Lee. And Walton’s pretty cool. Ste-Julie looks sick on TV!
Best bike you’ve ever raced
Maybe not the best, but the most fun bike to ride was my Richmond/Pro Circuit KX250. The old two-stroke 250 just barkin’ it up in the arenacross. It was so fun, throwing some whips over the catapult. You could just hammer the whoops.
