Rookie DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha rider Nick Paluzzi came out of the amateur ranks as one of the guys to watch for in 2011. He even turned some heads last year in his debut as a professional with the JGRacing team at Steel City finishing top ten overall in his first try in the 450 class. Even with that showing, though, it can be hard to find a  payed gig for these young guns trying to make a name in the professional ranks.

Nick Paluzzi #72

Nick began training and, as of a week before the 2011 SX season, was planning on chasing the dream on his own, but with a week to go, he got the call that all rookies want. A spot was waiting for him with a top-tier Lites team for SX. Nick has had some ups and downs in his first go at professional SX, but overall, he has shown he has the natural ability and work ethic to try and make a career out of racing.

Considering Nick got the call to join Star Racing/Yamaha only a week before the SX opener in Anaheim, I’m sure the seven-week break will be spent playing catch up, but Nick found some time to chat with us at MotoXAddicts.

So Nick, for those that don’t know you, where are you from originally?

Riverside, California.

What was your local track out there?

It was Starwest because I went to school full-time, and they had night practice. With school and my parents working, the only time I really had to practice was at night, and they had lights.

Nick Paluzzi #72

You went to regular high school?

Yeah, I did the regular school route and graduated last year.

Wow! That’s a stretch in this sport to go that route.

Yeah, it was a big deal for my parents that I had as close to regular upbringing as I could.

Would you have preferred to do the home school thing?

I honestly did for a while, just because I know it would have helped me focus on riding and training instead of focusing so much on school work. I don’t regret it, though. High school was fun. I learned and did a lot that I wouldn’t have if I had been home schooled. I definitely think my parents did it for the right reasons. The whole social aspect of going to regular school is a good thing.

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When did you first get into MX?

I started riding when I was five and racing when I was six. From there, we jumped right into some of the national amateur stuff; not all of them at first, but we did the world mini and a few others. As it progressed, we started hitting them all.

So you must have had some skills right away for the parents to instantly get you into the national scene?

(Laughs) Yeah, I was pretty good as a kid. As a really young amateur, I won a lot of titles in the 50 class and stuff like that.

So what kind of amateur resume did you rack up over the years?

I really never kept count of how many titles I won overall. Last year at Loretta’s, I didn’t do very well. At Mammoth, though, I ended up winning two out of the three. Mammoth is by far my favorite amateur national.

So after Mammoth and Loretta’s you made the big move to pro, and JGRacing gave you the call up to race the big boy class for them at a couple of nationals. What was that like, and how did that come about?

That was awesome actually, especially getting to go right into 450’s with such a great team. It wasn’t what I expected to be doing—as far as racing 450’s—but was a better opportunity than I could have ever expected.

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Yeah, I think you really turned some heads at Steel City going 10-8 for 7th overall. I was really surprised you weren’t signed right away for a Lites team in 2011. How close were you to coming into to 2011 a privateer?

I had planned on and was fully preparing to be a privateer this year. Then, the DNA Shred Stixx/Star Racing/Yamaha team gave me a call.

So how did the whole DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha deal come about?

We had talked to them after the outdoors last year, and they had told me there wasn’t any room. I was told they were going with Gareth Swanepoel, so it kind of went away for a while. Then right around that time, I broke my wrist, but a week before Anaheim I, I got the call, and they asked me if I was up for it. Of course my answer was yes! I hopped right on the bike and started riding, which happened to also be my first time on the bike since my broken wrist.

When exactly did you break your wrist? I saw a Transworld video of you testing at Eli Tomac’s ranch, so was it out there that you broke it?

No, I broke it right after I got back from Tomac’s. I was out at a SX track going triple-single through a double-double section. I lost traction going up the face, cased it and got sideways. It sucked! (Laughs)

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Have you had a lot of injuries in your career or have you been one of the lucky ones?

Yeah, I’d say I’ve had some injuries but overall, not many.

Like I mentioned before, I watched that video of you out at Tomac’s ranch and was wondering if you and Eli have been friends coming up.

Yeah, we’ve been friends since we were like six years old, so he and I have been friends forever.

How’s 2011 SX going for you overall this year?

I think it’s going good. I’ve had some really good heat races and some pretty good mains. Other than a couple of falls and mistakes, I think it’s going great. I really need to work on my starts in the Main, though. For some reason, I get great starts in the heats, and I actually almost won the heat race in San Diego. I think we are going to focus heavily during the break on fixing that.

Yeah, I was there in San Diego. You were leading with half a lap to go and, in one corner, went from 1st to 3rd. Was it just one of those things, or did nerves come into play at all?

Nerves might have played a little part, being that I’m a rookie. In that situation, though, I kind of lost traction on the triple before, and that allowed Decotis and Tickle to get right up on me. It’s really all just a learning experience for me right now.

What would you say your expectations are for the rest of the SX season?

Well, right now we have some really good time with the seven-week break to catch up on stuff. During that time, I want to work on getting my strength, endurance and speed to a really good place. I would say for the last three races, my goal and the team’s goal is top five.

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Do you have a full indoor and outdoor deal with DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha this year?

Nothing as of right now. I’ll pretty much just play it by ear and see how I finish. I really like ridding SX, but growing up as an amateur all you ride is MX.

I hope you find something before Hangtown, and the way you’re riding I’m sure you will.

At this point I’m going to do all I can to get in to the top five before the SX season is over, and see what happens for outdoors.

Good luck the rest of the year and thank you very much for chatting with MotoXAddicts.

No problem at all. Thanks for the call.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.