MARCH 27, 2008
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Cernic's Kawasaki staff, mechanic, Glenn Hobson, and rider, Dusty Klatt. |
By Danny Brault
Photos by Doug Engstrom
What’s eating Dusty Klatt? We’re not sure either. The Cernic’s Kawasaki rider has had a roller coaster ride so far in his first 450 supercross series. Actually, it started before A1, when he hurt his shoulder and broke his collarbone three weeks earlier. When he returned in Houston, he qualified and went on to finish 16th. Then the roller coaster took a big dip when Klatt failed to make the mains in Atlanta and Indy. It rose again in Daytona when the Crusher holeshot his heat race, led some laps, rode in fourth in the main for a while, and then finished 13th. Last weekend, though, it went back down again with an 18th in the main after racing the LCQ. We called up the six-three for his take on his results, and if coming back to Canada is going to start a spark.
RXC: Dusty, what’s up?
Dusty Klatt: Not too much, just taking it easy today. Well, off the bike anyways.
How was Easter weekend for you? Did the bunny treat you well?
I got a little tiny basket about the size of my hand; it had a couple of candies in there, that’s about it [laughs].
No chicken fingers?
No chicken fingers and no rum and cokes either [laughs]. I was a little bummed.
I would be too. So what’s going on this year, Dusty?
What’s going on this year?
Well, one weekend we see you pulling holeshots and leading Kevin Windham to barely qualifying in Minneapolis?
Yeah, pretty much. Like I was saying, Daytona you can’t really count as a regular weekend; it was definitely a different track and everything. The American boys don’t know how to …well, I’m not saying they don’t. Especially if you’re from California, you don’t see anything like that ever. Then again, I haven’t ridden mud like that since Mission [2005]. Well, Mission wasn’t too bad; it was just the water that was pretty bad in Daytona. It’s a tough game. It sucked to come into it halfway through the season, playing catch up. I missed so much racing and I think it’s making it harder on me. I’m trying to do better; it’s not easy. This class, you can look at a lot of people’s results and they are all over the place. Josh Hill for instance: he’s had good weekends, but he’s also had 12ths and 13ths. Some weekends I feel like I’m doing the best that I can, but it’s not happening. It’s been a good week off anyways. I’ve just been riding since the last race, so hopefully we can put something together better this weekend.
Do you feel the fans and media have set too high of expectations for you? Has it put pressure on you?
I know what I am capable of doing and whatever anyone wants to say; it doesn’t affect how I’m going to do. People expect because they know what I’m capable of. Getting hurt for this last little while—for the last year—has been tough and it’s taken a toll on me. I want to stay on the bike and stay healthy, especially when the summer comes along. It’s a whole other deal though, and I need to put in some results in supercross.
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The Campbell River Crusher visits Toronto this weekend. |
I’m sure you read Derek Sorenson’s interview that we posted last week.
He was straight up with that, and that’s what people want to hear. It’s not like I’m slacking during the week. Supercross has taken a toll on my body and I’ve had bad luck. I don’t blame him, with the results we’re putting out; we should be doing a lot better. For myself, if I was a team manager and my riders were getting 18th, you know that they’re not happy. Then you think that and it makes it a bit tougher. I’m hard enough on myself. If I screw up or do something wrong, I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. When I am in Canada winning, I expect nothing less of myself.
Have you been riding cautiously because you don’t want to get hurt? Which is understandable because of your track record.
Yes and no. I’ve been struggling with ruts on the tracks, but last weekend—I’m not going to say it was easy—but pretty simple. Everyone was doing the same thing; it was hard to make up time. The only place anyone was gaining time was through the whoops. It’s tough, and, at times, I am a little worried about getting hurt. I’ve been riding outdoors a little bit and it’s brought a little more of myself back into me. I feel more aggressive on the bike right now, but practice isn’t racing. I just have to go out and get the best results for my team.
Is coming back to Canada going to start a fire in you?
We’ll see! I feel I’ve had a good week, trying to up myself. I will be trying to go forward.
Do you have family or friends coming into Toronto?
Kayla and her family will be coming to hang out and watch and have a good time.
I’m looking forward to it. I don’t think I’ve watched you race, live, since Walton 2006!
That long, eh?
Yep. Well, good luck this weekend, Dusty. We’ll be cheering for you!
Thanks, see you there.
