Five Minutes with … Kerim Fitzgerald
AUGUST 6, 2008

South African Kerim Fitz-gerald finished third overall in Moncton, New Brunswick last weekend.

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

It’s been a long time coming, but South Africa’s Kerim Fitz-gerald finally made it onto the MX2 podium in Moncton. The Morgan Racing Honda rider has had the speed, work ethic and desire to be up there every race, but poor starts, crashes and flat tires have held him back. Things clicked last weekend, fortunately, with a great start in the first moto that saw him finish second to another international visitor, Mason Phillips. We caught up with Kerim shortly after unpacking from a long trip back to Orangeville, Ontario.

RXC: Kerim, congrats on your first podium in Canada!
Kerim Fitz-gerald: Thanks.

You’ve had the speed to be on the box all year, what clicked for you in Moncton?
I don’t know. The other races before this I qualified for much better than this weekend. In Moncton, I only qualified 12th. I thought to myself that there was no way I would be in the top five. I got a fairly decent start in the first moto and I picked up on the guys in front of me and held onto them as long as I could. Luckily, for me, some guys made mistakes and other guys got tired. It fell into place, I guess.

You seem to struggle with starts, Kerim. Is it technique? Your bike? What’s up?
I think it has to do with confidence. I’m not used to having a full gate of riders. This weekend, I had a good start and now I know I can have a good start every time I line up on the gate. I think it’s more of a mental thing.

What’s your take on the Moncton track?
This year, the track was really cool. The rain made the track perfect for race day. Last year, I didn’t do well there, but this year, I think I was just in the right place at the right time.

You’re obviously a hard worker, especially off the track—you don’t even have a mechanic! What’s it like basically doing everything on your own every race?
It’s kind of like back home, except I have my parents and Chloe there helping out. It’s not too bad; I get a bit of time between motos to do things. If I had something seriously wrong with my bike I might be in a bit of trouble. The program gives me a bit of time to get everything done and sit down or watch the 450 motos.

Have you talked to any teams about 2009?
No I haven’t. I don’t really know many people and I’m a quiet sort of guy. I’m not one to make conversation and try and get my name out there. It’s probably something I should be doing, but it’s hard because I’m not that sort of person. I better start getting like that [laughs].

Are you coming back next year?
I’d love to come back to Canada, but the financial side of things doesn’t look good. Everything I buy here, I have to times it by eight. If buy something for $100, it’s 800 rand back home. If I want to race, I need to make a plan, but I definitely want to come back.

How have you been able to afford to race in Canada for the past two summers?
My parents have their own business, and then I have some good sponsors from back home. Mr. Price, Red Clothing, and Red Bull, helped me out quite a bit. So I have some good sponsors helping out but most of it comes from my parents and their business.

Who have been your toughest competitors this year?
A lot of guys are fast. I haven’t been getting the best starts lately so everyone I’ve had to pass and battle with, it’s been a battle—they don’t let me by. The top guys are the hardest guys to battle with. [Marc-Antoine] Genereux and I had a pretty good battle going on in Nanaimo. I wouldn’t say there is any one specific person; they all put up a good race.

Hello, Canadian factory race teams: looking for a fast, hard working rider who is satisfied with a clean bike and new air filter? Then Kerim Fitz-gerald is your guy!

Favourite track/round?
I think my favourite track was Edmonton. It was the funnest track I’ve ridden so far this year. I liked Regina, but the track I like the most is coming up this weekend, Sand Del Lee. I’ve had a few races there and I know how to go along the track.

Where are you living this summer? What’s your routine like?
I’m living with Richard Chater and his wife, Marlene. Chloe and I have been staying with them in Orangeville. During the week, on a Monday after a national, we usually get things cleaned up from the weekend and hang around for the day. On Tuesday, I go for a run or cycle. I haven’t got a gym contract or anything, so I’m either on the road, running or cycling. We might go riding at Darcy’s on Tuesday and RJ’s on Wednesday and back to Darcy’s on Thursday, if there isn’t a race on the weekend. Other than that, everything is just to do with motocross.

Any interests outside of motocross?
I like playing squash back home. I like motorsports, anything to do with wheels and racing. I watch Moto GP and the Formula 1 stuff.

The Motocross of Nations is coming up. Is your name in the mix for Team South Africa?
I heard I was the next reserve. One of the guys who is on the team has been a little sick. We just have to wait and see with him. I don’t know for sure yet.

Best thing about Canadian moto?
Everyone that is there seems to have friendly rivalries and bets going on. Everyone seems to get along, from what I see. Going out racing on the weekend is fun; you know you’re going to laugh and someone always has something up their sleeve or a story to tell.

Who do you hang out with in Canada?
I’ve been going to the races with Kyle [Keast] and his family and Chuck [Mesley] and you guys. Back in Ontario, it’s just Chloe and myself and the Chaters.

Who would you like to thank?
There are a lot of people. Honda Powerhouse of Milton, Red Bull, Oakley, Mr. Price and Red Clothing, Rich Kenworthy of RK Engines for helping me out, Gaerne, Sunline, the guys at Ignition, Troy Lee Designs, Factory Connection, John Wakefield of Pelotrain who helps with me training programs, my brother Darrel, Richard and Marlene Chater and their inlaws, Chuck Mesley, Kyle and his family, Danny Brault, my parents, and Chloe, she’s always with me—she’s my backbone [laughs].