5
Minutes with ... Joel Saarits
April 26, 2005
Danny
Brault and Brett Dailey
 |
Photo: Brett
Dailey |
Last
year was pretty much a write-off for Lightning Powersports’
Joel Saarits. Coming off a solid year in 2003, where
he finished eighth overall in the 125 East nationals
(and an even better year in 2002 when he was fourth
overall), the Hamilton native was expected to be contender
for the provincials and a top five guy in the east in
2004. Those predictions played true at the first provincial
at Gopher Dunes, as Saarits finished the day third overall
in the 125 and 250 pro classes. Unfortunately, the rest
of the season wouldn’t be so kind. Suffering from
bike problems, which resulted in a loss of confidence,
Saarits finished a disappointing 14th and 10th in the
provincials and 26th in the 125 east series. (Although
he did manage a seventh overall in Moncton with 7-5
moto scores) This season, however, Saarits has gained
confidence in his bikes and in himself. We had a chance
to speak with the Suzuki rider while he put in some
practice laps at Gopher Dunes.
What have you been up to over the winter?
For the winter I pretty much worked full-time at Magna-Tech
Canada for my buddy Alex Gibson. I went to the gym three
to four nights a week and went to Florida in March for
three weeks.
Where did you go in Florida?
I Stayed in Panama City at County Line for three weeks.
Pretty much just stayed there the whole time—it
was good.
Did you do any racing down south or just practicing?
The last weekend I was there, I was going to do a race
in Georgia but we got seven inches of rain in two days
and we didn’t race. So we came home because we
couldn’t ride anymore.
So Gopher Dunes last weekend (April 10) was
the first race of the year for you?
Yeah Gopher was the first race of the year for me. It
went pretty good, it normally takes me a bit longer
to get going, but I felt good for my first race back.
Who are your sponsors for this year?
I’ll be riding for Lightning Powersports Suzuki,
Fly gear, Gaerne boots, Renthal and Thornhill Saturn.
How did the nationals go for you last year?
Ah, not very good. I didn’t feel good the whole
year. But I think I have it figured out this year so
it should be good.
You had a couple of good rounds last year …
in Moncton you did well.
Yeah, Moncton and in Quebec I was in fifth or sixth
then I my bike broke with two corners to the finish—that
kind of sucked.
What are you going to change this year?
Just mentally, I feel way stronger than last year. I
don’t know—I just feel better. I just think
I’ll have a good year.
You go fast at Gopher Dunes. Are you happy they
are having a national here?
I think they deserve it, for sure. Frank does a really
good job at his races and takes great care of the track.
l like the sand, and the hardpack—I like everything,
really. All the Quebec rounds are hard-pack and they’re
really good tracks.
What are your goals for the provincials and
nationals for this year?
I’d like say top three in the provincials and
top three in the 125 East [series]. I’m also going
to try some AMA nationals, maybe Mount Morris and Southwick.
I was planning on going out west but it’s too
expensive and the drive is like 50 hours. I’ think
I’ll just drive to Mount Morris and Southwick
instead.
Thanks for your time and good luck at the provincial
opener this weekend.
No problem. Thanks.
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Saarits puts
in lots of laps at Gopher Dunes so expect him
to do well at the eastern season opener on July
16th | Photo: Dailey |
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