Catching Up With Ryan Dungey

swapmoto

• April 18 2009
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CATCHING UP WITH RYAN DUNGEY

By Donn Maeda

It’s been a long several weeks for Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, but the West Coast SX Lites series points leader is ready to get back to business tonight at Qwest Field. With only two points separating Dungey and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, the final two rounds of the series are crucial for both riders. Last year’s runner-up to eventual champion Jason Lawrence, Dungey says that he learned from last year’s campaign and is prepared to do what it takes tonight to bring home the number-one plate.

So you’re back racing after a long break from the series. What did you do during the time off?

I just kind of took it one day at a time. We race, race, and race then all of a sudden get thrown into a long break, but it is what it is—you can’t change it. I just kind of kept working and building from there, which is really all we could do. I just tried to stay focused, because there is a lot of stuff that take that away from you. Whether it’s getting bored or just thinking in the wrong path; you just have to stay really focused during a long break like that. I had some fun too. On that long of a break, there’s a lot of room to enjoy it and keep it fresh and enjoyable.

Did you get any outdoor testing done?

I pretty much stuck to Supercross with very little outdoor riding—I’m going to focus on that after the season ends. I just tried to stay ready for the final three rounds of the Supercross series. And like I said, I just kept building on my program.

Were you watching the weather in the days leading up to this race? It’s not going to be muddy, but were you glad that it isn’t, since anything can happen at a mud race?

Yeah, it’s great to have a sunny day and it’s beautiful out right now. I didn’t really even think about it until at Jacksonville where someone said that we have three open stadiums left for the final rounds. I thought, “Man this could be a real mix up.” But I’m glad to be here and enjoying it.

If there’s a mud race coming up, do you guys ever go out and just flood your practice track to get some mud riding in?

No. I mean, we do get rain and there are some days where we do ride the Supercross tracks in the rain, but it’s tough. Outdoors is more ideal for mud riding, because you can ruin your Supercross track. You get all these ruts built up and then it dries out and then it’s just never the same after that. Mud is just really one of those things where you’re either good or you’re not.

Was Jacksonville the only race that you attended during the break?

Yeah I was going to go check out Atlanta, but it was a long drive, so I just decided to wait until Jacksonville. I got to go check it out and see everybody again. It was just good to be back in that atmosphere again. It brought that fire back.

Did you do anything fun in the time off?

Yeah we played golf with some people, I got to see Blake my little brother race a couple races, went home for a little bit, and just kind of mix it up a little bit.

What’s the game plan for tonight and the rest of the season?

Definitely to win all three races from here on out would be the perfect story, but I just want to put myself in a good position. We know where we all stand and what we have to do. We just need to stay calm, and at the same time enjoy it and have some fun. I just want to stay mistake free—that’s the biggest thing for me.

What did you learn from last year’s championship battle that you’re going to apply this year?

I learned a lot. Just not over-thinking everything. I got to the point last year where I tried to make it all happen, and there are a lot of things that aren’t in your power. All I can do is be ready, work hard, and come to the race prepared. I’m ready to do it, have some fun, and I’m ready for the fight. Whatever the outcome is, we’re not going to go out without a fight, that’s for sure. I’ve come here to win, and the championship is the goal. I’m just going to take it one day at a time.

After your performance in outdoors last year, you’re the heavy favorite for this year. But with Tommy Searle, Tyla Rattray, and Christophe Pourcel now in there, what do you expect out of them?

I really don’t know what to expect. Ending last year like I did was successful for me and brings me a good start for outdoors this year. We’ll just have to see what happens after the first race. I know that the European guys go good and they’re fast, but it’s a long season of outdoors, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I’m ready for it, and I think it’s good. It’s something new and fresh with a new group of guys. I just can’t let them rule us here over in America—we have to keep our ground.

At least you have the advantage of knowing the tracks well.

Yeah, that’s true. From what I’ve seen when they come over here, these type of tracks are a little bit different than what they’re used to. We’ll find out soon though.