MXP Chatter: Dave Gowland

When the checkered flag dropped last Saturday night at Anaheim One few people were happier than Rockstar Energy Racing Team Manager and proud Canadian Dave Gowland. Even though we only got to watch Davi Millsaps’ almost perfect 20 laps on television, Dave knows just how much work and how many hours of preparation went into that race. We caught up with Dave as he and the team were preparing for Round 2 in Phoenix.

Q: Good Morning Dave, how are things today?

A: Everything is great, just got into the shop and we’re preparing for this coming weekend.

Q: We know that you are always smiling in the pits. After Saturday night you must have had the biggest smile ever.

A: (laughs) It was pretty big that’s for sure. I don’t think I have been that happy since Doug Dubach won the 2000 Canadian National Championship.

Q: You are obviously on the inside and you see things that we don’t see. Was that win as unexpected as it appeared?

A: Yes and no. We didn’t expect to go out and be that fast all day and then pull off the main event win, but we knew that we were very well prepared and that Davi was in a pretty good place both physically and mentally heading into Saturday. Back in October we elected to skip the Monster Cup and we took a lot of heat for that, but looking back it was worth it because we just weren’t ready to go racing then.

When we decided to add a 450 rider to our program, it wasn’t just a case of going out and hiring a rider and getting bikes, we had to add a second truck, increase our race staff by 50%, and then obviously we had to go testing and get the equipment ready. I have never been anyone to do things halfway, so I have tried to put together a team that all share those same ideas and have the same passion for racing.

 

Q: Heading into Anaheim 1, what type of goals had you set for the team?

A: We knew coming in that Davi would be quick, but we also knew that the usual guys, Villopoto, Dungey Stewart, and Reed would also be quick, so we didn’t really know where Davi would fit in. After practice when his times were great we kind of started thinking that this could be a really good night for us.

Q: Did you notice any change in Davi after the timed practice? Did he start to have the same belief that the rest of the team had?

A: I think if anything, those quick practice times reflected just how good he felt on the bike and what gave him that extra bit of confidence was how comfortably he got those quick times. We have been able to give him a great package with the motorcycle that has allowed Davi to feel completely at home on the bike. Earlier I spoke about what a good team we have with the Rockstar Energy Racing Team. Another example of this is the great crew chief and motor guy we have, Jamie Ellis. Over the course of the last few months, he has worked with Davi and has been able to give him exactly the kind of power that he wants.  Also, Showa has done a great job with our suspension so it is working tremendously. All of these combined things let Davi feel so comfortable on Saturday night that he really just felt like he was out riding at our test track.

Q: You have always been a person who loves a challenge and you also have had a knack for bringing the best out in riders. Looking at Davi, he is ultra-talented, has won before but has never been able to sustain it. Does the prospect of guiding a rider like Davi Millsaps through 2013 and trying to get the best out of him every weekend excite you?

A: That is an interesting question and one that I haven’t thought about. My passion for racing is as strong today as it was when I was in Canada and I don’t think I will ever lose that. I do love challenges and sometimes I do get bored if I am not facing one. I think the challenge this year will be keeping the entire team focused and going forward. We have already set the bar pretty high with the win last weekend, but each race isn’t always going to go that well. We have a great team here and we all have the same goals. I think Davi feels that team chemistry, so that gives him that extra confidence to go out and perform to the best of his abilities.

Q: Where you impressed with how Davi won Saturday night when Trey Canard passed him he could’ve settled for second but he didn’t?

A: I think you have to contribute that to a few things. First, obviously he had complete confidence in his bike so he was comfortable in any circumstance. Second, he is super fit right now so fatigue wasn’t an issue on lap 19. Lastly, he has been doing a lot of work with Ezra Lusk and I think Ezra has helped him with his decision making on the bike. When you combine all those things, it allowed Davi to believe in himself even after he got passed. He still found a way to win.

 

Q: There is a saying that states “Sometimes the only reward of a good result is just the expectation of more”. Can Davi back this up next weekend and the weekend after, etc.? Not necessary winning every race, but can he run up front and be there for 16 more rounds?

A: I hope so (laughs), we certainly believe that he can. This is where having a good, tight knit team comes into play. We are going to have good weekends and bad ones. You win Championships on how you handle the bad ones. As a team we will get through whatever challenges we face and we’ll take them as they come. As far as Davi the individual, he is in a really good place right now and when you are in that mindset, you are able to handle adversity much better.

Q: Before we let you get back to work, I want to ask you about Canadians and Supercross. As a proud Canadian, does it disappoint you not to see more Canadian riders lining up at an AMA Supercross.

A: Yes it does, very much because I think they’re selling themselves short. I mean, I understand why some don’t bother; it is expensive to train all winter to get ready to go. I am sure it’s intimidating being stuck way back in the privateer pits working out of a van, but they have to remember two important things: First, you have to start somewhere; you have to walk before you can run. Second, Canadian riders are every bit as talented as any other riders and I think if some tried Supercross they could be good at it. Darcy Lange is the perfect example of that. He came from Vancouver Island, worked his butt off and eventually almost won a Lites Supercross Championship, so it can be done. You just have to have a plan and stick with it long term.

Q: Way back when you used to be Ross Pederson’s mechanic and during those years he had a lot of success in the USA. What was his attitude when he lined up against riders like Ricky Johnson, Johnny O’Mara, Ron Lechien and Jeff Ward?

A: The thing with Ross was that he hated everyone he raced against and he wanted what they had. He respected them but he wanted to be the best and he never settled for anything less, whether it be in a race or on a Wednesday at the practice track. I know it’s a different era now and society has changed but in today’s racing you see a lot more buddy, buddy stuff. I am not against that, but to me it would be hard to hang out with someone all week then on lap 19 of the main event you have to flip the switch and block pass him for the win. I am not saying that you have to be like Ross was, he was one of a kind, but today’s riders could learn a little from him about desire and doing everything possible to win.

Q: Well Dave, you have now managed a team to a Canadian National Championship, an Arenacross Championship, a win in the 250 Supercross class and now you are an Anaheim Supercross winner. Not too bad for a kid from Mississauga, Ontario.  Congratulations and thank you for your time. Good luck the rest of the season.

A: Thank you and tell everyone up there Happy New Year and I miss them. See you in Toronto in March.