Five Minutes with … Jeff Northrop
JULY 14, 2008

Royal Distributing/Thor/Riverside KTM Canada's Jeff "Norcal" Northrop

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

Is there anyone on the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals tour with more spirit than Jeff Northrop? I don’t think so. “Norcal” is always a great addition to our series. Now riding for Royal Distributing/Thor/Riverside KTM Canada, Norcal is bringing them results on the track and entertainment off of it. That’s not to say Jeff is a clown—he’s just enjoys being at the racetrack. This past weekend in Nanaimo, BC, Norcal had his best time yet, finishing 3-2 for second overall in MX1. He’s now tied for fifth in points with Simon Homans. We caught up with Mr. Personality shortly after the final MX1 moto on Sunday.

RXC: All right, Jeff, sorry we haven’t talked to you much since Ste-Julie but you definitely earned some love this week.
Jeff Northrop: Yeah, I think so. Ste-Julie was good but it went a little downhill from there. Regina was all right and I got two fourths but it was unheard of cause I was right off the box. I felt good today and rode hard in both motos and was catching guys at the end of the motos so that makes me feel good.

Last year, we saw you winning the first moto in Nanaimo, and this year, you went 3-2 for second overall. What is it about The Wastelands and you?
I don’t know what it is, because I don’t like this track either. I think I just accept it for what it is; it’s hard packed and that’s kind of what California is like.

And it looked rougher than usually this year.
It really was. It’s one of those tracks that is deceivingly rough, but once you start riding, it’s pot holes and rocks and slippery spots; you name it, it’s out there except for sand [laughs].

Norcal went 3-2 for second overall in Nanaimo.

You’re right there, Jeff, so what do you need to do to get a win?
It seems like last year I was one-two off the start, but this year I haven’t gotten the starts. This year it seems like I have to fight for it, but those guys are riding really smooth this year. We’ve made adjustments to my bike; it’s a new bike for me and I’ve ridden other brands before but this is my first time on a KTM. I don’t know how to set it up or things are different. It seems like me and the bike, as one, are getting better.

Still training hard?
Yeah, it’s super hot in California right now. I’m hating to go riding, but I’m still riding and I know when I get to the weekends that it’s going to pay off. I’m happy I was there sitting in the heat al day.

Eric Nye was saying California’s been filled with smoke.
I’m in Southern California, but Central California has had a lot of fires. I haven’t seen it, but it scares me because, like seven to ten years ago, my house burned down when I was gone racing in Mammoth. Fires make me nervous; people suffer, we suffered, but we made it through.

Who’s backing you this  year, Jeff?
The entire KTM Canada team, Ryan Raglin who has done my suspension, Scott Sleeter—those guys have helped me so much in developing me with the bike, Kurt Nicoll, Andy White and everyone at North America KTM, my mechanic, Mike, Lacey Stock and Drew from Evolved Nutrition, that’s something that I’ve stepped up this year, my parents for being behind me, and just everyone involved with the team.

Thanks, Jeff, See you in Edmonton!
For sure.