5
Minutes with ... Richard Chater
May
11, 2005
By
Brett Dailey
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Holeshot
Racing's Richard Chater will race Auburn Hills
this weekend and then focus on making a name
for himself when the Eastern Nationals kick
off in July.
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Photo: Brett
Dailey |
South
Africa's Richard Chater is back in Canada for the third
summer in three years. However, very few across the
country have ever heard of the young prospect from Port
Elizabeth. Why? He has hurt himself at RJ’s (the
opening round of the eastern nationals) in his first
two attempts! However, luck seems to be on Chater’s
side for 2005. He’s healthy, he’s riding
very well and RJ’s has been replaced by Gopher
Dunes for the opening round of the Eastern nationals.
He didn’t have much competition at Port Perry
on May 8th but he plans to race the CMRC provincial
at Auburn Hills on May 14-15 so we will soon see how
he stacks up against Ontario’s finest pros.
Racer X Canada: How did you get here
and how long have you been racing?
Richard Chater: I’ve been racing motocross
for 15 years—I started when I was eight. I just
came up to Canada to see how the racing scene is here.
I hooked up with Dave [Belford] from Holeshot [Racing]
and it’s going pretty good so far.
How long ago did you come here?
I’ve been here for three years.
What are you doing here, other than racing?
Not much, just riding, racing.
How did you get hooked up with Dave at Holeshot?
I was going to ride for another team but it fell through.
I needed to get my KTM125 shipped here and I asked Dave
for some help. Dave said to come down for the weekend
and he would get me a bike to ride—just to see
how I did. Ever since then, he has got me a bike to
ride so it’s been cool.
How has the racing been going?
It’s been going well but the first round of every
national I’ve gotten hurt. The first year I broke
my foot and last year I broke my collarbone. So, the
nationals haven’t been going well but hopefully
this year is my year. RJ’s is just not my track.
[Laughs]
Have you ridden Gopher Dunes before? [RJ’s
replacement]
No, but where I race back home is sand so I’ve
ridden sand all of my life. I’m really looking
forward to it.
What’s your outlook for this year in Canada?
Well … keep pushing hard and hopefully top 10
but a top five in the 125 class. That’s what I’m
looking for.
How are you managing to get through the cold
winters?
I go back home! [Laughs]
Can you contrast the racing scene here to South
Africa?
There are quick riders in South Africa but there’s
about five quick riders and that’s it. It’s
not as big. But the tracks are pretty good back home.
There are more riders here that I can race with. At
a national back home, we only have 150 riders.
Since the scene is fairly small in South Africa
are you impressed with how well Greg Albertyn and Grant
Langston have done abroad?
Grant Langston trained me and stayed with me when he
came for the national in PE. I know him pretty well.
To see what he has gone from to now where he is—it’s
quite a big step. I raced with Tyla Rattray as well.
What kind of training are you doing?
I go to the gym a few times a week and I try to ride
as much as I can.
Who are your sponsors?
Holeshot Racing, M2R, Shot Racing, Scott goggles, Northstar,
Acerbis, Maxima, Pro Wheels and Summerville.
Good luck at Auburn and good luck at the nationals.
Thanks.
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Photo: Brett
Dailey |
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Photo: Brett
Dailey |
 |
Photo: Brett
Dailey |
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