When you think of great Canadian Motocross Champions one of the first names that will pop into your mind will be Dusty Klatt. Over the past decade Dusty has been a dominating force in the Canadian Motocross scene and because of that has four Championships to show for it. Dusty because of his 2010 MX1 Championship is once again the man with the number one plate. We gave Dusty a call to talk about his long career and this is what the Canadian Motocross legend had to say.
Dusty there are lots of people that don’t know your back story so we wanted to back in time a little. What was your amateur career like before turning pro?
I never attended anything like Lorreta Lynns or anything too major. It was mostly just local stuff–whatever we had here on Vancouver Island–and I just did most of that till 80A. Then, I ended up winning some stuff. We ended up going to West Ridge. They got a big kind of amateur weekend there, I guess you could say. I won that, then we did a couple more throughout 80s. That was about it and as far as we went. I mean, growing up I didn’t win too much my first and second year, but after that, it was pretty much non-stop winning all the way through 80s. As soon I got onto the big bikes–like 125s in the Junior class–I started off in 3rd. Then after a couple races, I was winning that pretty much. As soon as I jumped into intermediate, it was pretty much the same thing again. I missed a few right off the bat, then just started winning again. It was pretty steady winning until I turned pro in Fall of ’99. We had a few guys racing on the island that were fast. Sometimes I had good results, and sometimes I didn’t. It was pretty steady–consistent placings, I could say.
Darcy Lange and quite a few other fast riders grew up around you right?
Yeah, he was like 20-25 minutes away from me.
For an island, you guys breed some fast riders. (Laughs)
Well, yeah. It’s funny. For being an island and all, its pretty massive for its size. It takes like 6 hours to drive end to end. But, yeah, there were a few guys like Darcy and Jake Dunn and guys from the mainland that would come over and race. It made for good credentials and competition growing up.
So, what was the first year you ran the Canadian Nationals?
2000
When did you really start making your mark in Canada?
2002 was my first podium–which was at the opening round. It was kind of a home track ’cause its on the island which is Namino. I went 3-4 for 3rd overall for the day, so that was pretty awesome. Then, I went 2-4 at the next round. I got a few 3rd place finishes overall and got 3rd overall in the West coast series. The following year, I rode a CR125, and it didn’t go so well. The bike just got slower every race I rode. I got like 7th that year. Then, the next year was the year I signed with Blackfoot Honda, and I came out swinging. I won the opening race there by winning both motos there, then both motos the next weekend.
Obviously the next two years–2004 and 2005–we’re pretty awesome for you.
Yeah, I mean the three years from there–’04, ’05, ’06–were pretty consistent. I always podiumed. Solid years, for sure. Can’t say anything too negative about those.
Not at all.
I stayed off the ground, too, which played a big part. It could have been a head whack at most. I never broke any bones, though. I always stayed up during my races, which helped out a lot.
In 2006, you moved to the MX1 class on Blackfoot and won the championship in that, too.
Yep.
Then, that led to the closing of your Canadian career for a while and led to you moving to the U.S. I always wondered why you went to the U.S. Was it because Honda didn’t re-sign with Blackfoot for another year, or was it just because you were in your prime and it was time to go?
Oh, definitely not. I accomplished everything I could in Canada. I wanted to try to make a stab at making it down in the U.S. I mean, I had a lot of fun and everything; it just didn’t really work out in my favor. Bobby Regan at Star Racing gave me a great opportunity to race for his team. You know, I went with the 250F program, and I think the smartest thing I should have done was suck it up for little salary and try to make it on a big bike ’cause that’s what I was comfortable on. But either way, I wouldn’t have known that if I rode the 450 class either. It was a good learning experience. I learned a lot from going down there. Obviously, the guys are quick, but at a lot of tracks, I was getting so frustrated. I would come out of a corner–like at Washougal–side by side with Villopoto or something, and he’d already be at the top of the hill when I was halfway there. It gets frustrating when guys could yard you that much going in a straight line. The weight advantage in that class plays a lot and so does the bike. I mean, I had a great bike that year. Star had great bikes that year, though, and they rode good. But obviously, the results didn’t come, so I think it was just best that we parted ways. It was pretty much a mutual agreement.
So where did it all start really going downhill for you here?
Things were actually going good right off the bat. And then at Anaheim I everything went downhill.
Anaheim is where you had that nasty and famous back burn correct?
Yeah, I had burns everywhere. I still tried to ride a little bit during the week. Then, in Phoenix, I was 3rd for about half the race. Then, Jason Lawrence took me out–which was pretty stupid ’cause the kid didn’t even need to. He was clearly quicker than me. He just could have–I don’t know, just a stupid move and obviously not his first one. But I mean, for a guy like him, he could easily make a pass without doing what he did. Either way, it was a bummer because, if I would have had a good solid weekend there, it would have made racing a lot easier from there out. But, it is what it is–can’t make up any excuses or anything.
(Laughs) I’m actually wearing my “Free J-Law” shirt right now.
Yeah? (Laughs) Nice.
Overall, for a rookie year in Supercross–despite all your bad luck–you really didn’t do all that bad.
Nah, not too bad. From Phoenix, I went way back after that. I think the next race I finished 17th. Then, I just consistently went up from there. I think my last race in Seattle I got an 8th.
Did you have any prior Supercross experience before coming over or was it learn as you go?
As far as Supercross testing tracks and stuff like that–no, we don’t have that up here in Canada, and if there is one, its obviously privately owned. We always did Areancross and stuff like that so you get a feel for rhythm sections, jumps and stuff like that, but nothing as gnarly as Supercoss.
That was another reason I always thought you did fairly well for you Rookie SX year, it always seemed like people over looked that.
Yeah, I mean it was not bad. I expected a little more of myself but it is what it is. It’s a tough game.
Then, the 2007 Nationals…
I don’t know, man. [It was] the same thing at Hangtown as Anaheim: I ended up crashing that day in practice. My leg was stiff as a bugger. I ended up doing good the first moto and got 11th. Then, in the second moto, my leg was so stiff I could hardly even bend it. I didn’t do so great the second moto, and from there out, I struggled with getting starts and keeping the pace. I mean, I was just hanging off the back of that 250f trying to keep up with everyone. I just struggled the whole season.
Right when you signed the Star deal and it went public, you were being posted as the ‘Golden Boy’ of Canada. You were gonna come over to America and just set the world on fire. Was there any added pressure from that all, especially when your results weren’t going that well?
I mean, there’s definitely always that. There are fans that are behind you–maybe not my fans, but Canadian racing fans–pumped for guys going down to the south and for me to try and make a stab at it. It was kind of my time to try and prove something. It didn’t work out the greatest, but it is what it is. My loyal fans are the ones that are still behind me, and the ones that aren’t, obviously are not. Either way, I had a second opportunity to try and make a stab at the 450 class. It was just for Supercross only, and I just trained forever for it. Then, I broke my collarbone a week before Anaheim, so I ended up missing the first 6 races and trying to rush back and get back into racing after being out. It was just unrealistic, and it didn’t work for me. I made 6 out of the 10 mains I raced. It didn’t work out the greatest. The class was super stacked and still is to this day. There’s not much more I can say, though; it just didn’t work out.
So, let’s talk about the return to Canada. It had to feel good going back to hopefully start where you had left off there, but your bad luck seemed to follow you home. The results weren’t there, and you broke your foot halfway through the season.
Yeah, I broke three bones and cracked one. Those were the metatarsals on the bridge of my foot. The funny thing is, my results got better with the broken foot. I think one thing I learned about going to the south is I am not the die-hard who can ride bikes every single day and all the rest of that stuff. I mean, I do a lot of BMXing and cycling and a lot of other stuff I like to do besides riding dirtbikes. It worked for me up here before, but not so much down there. And I kind of realized it a little bit. I can’t really do dirtbikes year round.
You gotta keep it fun.
Yep, exactly.
Then when you got back to Canada and you weren’t lighting the world on fire like you were before you left, more people started to attack you, saying you weren’t riding the same., you didn’t have the same style, you weren’t scrubbing everything like you used to. I mean, did that just make you want to walk away and say forget it?
After 2008, it got to the point where it was getting pretty stressful for me. I took a solid 6 months off just completely away from a bike. I didn’t ride a bike at all, didn’t work out, nothing. I just sat down and thought about stuff–really thought about what I wanted to do with my life, I guess. I mean, it was getting pretty stressful–a couple of rough years I needed to get over. As far as fans and stuff talking about me, I don’t really let that stuff get to me, man. It’s just out there. It’s the world. It’s no different than when [Ricky Carmichael] switched to Honda from Kawasaki. He went to the Anaheim 1, and there were only 5 fans cheering for him. All you could hear was the whole stadium booing him. I mean, its just stupid stuff like that. The guys just sitting at home are just bench racers, so I don’t let all that stupid stuff get to me.
Yeah, I think I recall reading in an interview right when you got back from America, that you didn’t even bother to read message boards or anything like that anymore now.
At the start of it all, there was some negative stuff going around before I even got to America. It got to the point that it was screwing with me actually getting a ride. Bobby called me up and was like, “Hey, man. This stuff is supposed to be confidential.” I hadn’t even talked to anyone. So, I mean, if somebody can just make a stupid number out of their head and post it online and say, “Oh, I heard Klatt is getting this much,” and this and that–I mean, it’s a lottery ticket if someone hits the number. My agent and my previous manager from Blackfoot were the only people I talked to. It got to the point where I had to post a message on one of the forums and tell them pretty much to piss off ’cause it was screwing my chances of getting down there and getting a ride. It’s funny that a bunch of stupid stuff like that can hurt people trying to make stuff happen. Even moto aside, it’s a drama world these days.
In 2009, after you took your break from the sport, you re-signed with Blackfoot. That had to feel like coming home to you. Was it all the same people as before management-wise?
Yeah, it was all the same people–just a different bike. I always kept in touch with the owner Jason Mitchell–even from the time that I left. Everyone at that team is pretty much family. Going back to them was like going back home. I mean, they have super good equipment–probably on-par with some of the top stuff in the U.S., I would think. The program and budget is pretty much twice as much as any other team in Canada. Obviously, up until this year, it was pretty rough for us even getting a race team together. Luckily, we were able to even get our program this year.
In 2009–even though you were back on your home team Facciotti seemed to have your number. You got one overall win at Gopher Dunes which probably felt great. Was Facciotti’s dominance frustrating at all? I mean, Facciotti was just on fire that year.
Well, you know, if I would have stayed and raced in Canada instead of the U.S., I don’t think I would have had that problem. When I came home from the U.S., I just had zero confidence in myself with what I can do. But he was riding solid that year, and he was working with [Jean Sebastian Roy] training and stuff. He showed him the roots to become a champion, and obviously, it played into his favor. I mean, he was riding well, and he is riding well right now–can’t take anything away from him.
In 2010, it seemed like your bad luck was back. You had an issue at round 1, then big issues at round 2.
Yeah, I had that double DNF at the 2nd round.
Then came Calgary. You went 1-1, and stuff just started going your way. You ended up winning the championship. I know some people say it was because Colton got hurt, but I’d beg to differ.
It’s tough to say. I mean, Colton was riding super good that year also. He would have been tough competition clearly, but he ended up crashing. It was a crazy year ’cause it was the first time in my career I had a double DNF. It was super frustrating ’cause I was like, “There goes my championship shot.” Then, he ended up crashing hard, and then, having another bad one two races later. For him to keep going would have been a mistake–even after hitting his head the second time after that first crash wasn’t too smart, I would say, but it’s his choice. It’s racing; it happens. But yeah, everyone was having bike problems and DNFing motos. How everything came about was wild. I ended up winning the championship with a race to go which is just crazy.
The number 1 plate was back on your bike for this year which has to feel good, and so far, the season has been decent to you for the most part.
Pretty much just the standard issues, I mean. I think Colton and I will always go 1 and 2. I don’t think there are too many people here that can step up to the pace we run. There are a few more guys that came up this year and guys that have switched up to the 450 class to make it more tougher, but even still, we had been winning by quite a bit.
Yeah, it always seems to be Colton or you, then Teddy Maier–just 1, 2, 3. Then, at Gopher Dunes, Goerke showed up.
Yeah, but I mean, I don’t really know with him. I’ve pretty much lapped him almost every single moto this year up until last weekend. But he’s also hurt. He doesn’t seem to have the greatest luck coming up here. Either way, it’s good for him and their team getting a win. It makes the series a little more interesting than just the same team winning every single weekend.
So this season you have one moto win and been on the chase for another one this season.
Yep. At the mud race, I won one. I think I would have had the 2nd moto too, but I fell and came from way back and caught all the way up to Colton. But then he pulled a little more of a stretch back on me. I think if I wouldn’t have fallen, then I would have had it. Then also at Calgary, I gave away the first moto there. I had the holeshot and was leading him. I was keeping right on his pace there then finished right behind him at the finish line. Kind of a bummer, but that’s racing right?
Definitely is. The crowd was going crazy when you and Colton were battling for the win. It was pretty cool to hear.
Oh, definitely. I think I have probably the biggest fan base in Canada. I’m pretty pumped. I got great fans behind me, and I try to do the best for them every weekend. I try to give them what they want–autographs and all that stuff.
A lot of people were pretty pumped that you just stopped the Facciotti winning streak.
Yep, everyone’s always pumped for something like that. I try to do the best I can for them every weekend. Colton’s riding really good right now, so it takes a lot to beat him.
Speaking of Colton, what’s the relationship between you and him like? I mean, you two are arch rivals on the same team. Is it hush-hush in the semi?
Nah, dude. Maybe it was at the start, but honestly right now, I just like having fun with it. It’s kind of stupid making the whole deal of it. We talk in between moto’s and stuff like that–not super buddy-buddy, but yeah.
So we’re at the halfway point of the season. You sit in a comfortable second, but what’s it going to take to beat Colton?
It’s going to need to be a pretty big mistake to catch Colton. I mean, stuff happens. He could do what he did last year. Who knows. That’s not what I want–that’s not how I like taking championships–but I’m a fair racer myself. I like clean passes and solid races to the end. Obviously when he crashed last year, that’s not something I wanted, but it’s just a different way to win a championship and to take it.
What’s the edge Colton has had over you in 2011? Is it luck, endurance or something else?
Endurance, definitely a bit. He probably puts more seat time on the bike than I do, and maybe that’s what’s killing me a bit, but I don’t know. I try to do as much as I can to keep up with him, but I need to do a bit more ’cause what I am doing clearly isn’t enough, but I just gotta keep looking forward every weekend.
So, Dusty, how old are you now?
26 coming up on 27 in February. Getting up there.
Through all the good and bad you’ve made your mark as one of the fastest Canadians ever so It’s good you got nothing left to prove.
No, not really. I just want to have fun and finish up my career up here. I would like to stick in the industry, if I could after I’m done, but you gotta pay the bills.
You’re still pretty young and have accomplished allot in the sport, but how much longer do you see yourself racing?
I don’t know, man. As long as my body’s up to it and I feel I can win races, then I’ll go out there and do it. If its gonna be to go around and ride in 3rd place or below that, then it’s not really in my interest and I’ll let it go from there. I mean, I want to win races. I don’t really have too much fun even getting second. I mean, its pretty tough to swallow sometimes, but it is what it is.
How different was the AMA circuit compared to the Canadian Nationals?
The atmosphere is super uptight in the AMA. No one really talks to one another. I mean, you go up to Canada and the whole top 10 has no problem talking to each other in between races and stuff. If you tried to get Dungey, Villopoto, Chad Reed and all those guys to be saying hi and slapping high fives to each other all weekend long, it’s not gonna happen right? It’s just more laid back and easy going in Canada. The AMA has a pretty tight-knit program. Everything’s always just right on time.
How did the tracks differ to you?
The tracks in the U.S. get more prep, and they are tilled a lot more. I had fun on some of the tracks down there, and some I didn’t like so much. But I pretty much enjoyed most the tracks I went to.
I know you don’t want to race down south full time anymore, but will we ever see you in the AMA circuit again?
It’s really tough to say. It’s a bummer we didn’t get to go Des Nations last year with how everything worked out, but it is what it is. I know Colton and Tyler [Medaglia] are going to be heading down to do Southwick and Steel City. But just for me to go down, it’s all out of my own pocket. Just to go down and do one or two races, it’s just so much money. You have to buy a license and get a bike there and all that other crap. It would cost me like 4 or 5 grand just to go do the races. I don’t really have anything to prove, so it’s just like, do I want to spend that much money to go have fun?
Well, Dusty, that’s all I have for you for now, but good luck with the rest of the season, and I hope to chat with you again someday.
Thanks. I am sure we will.
