Derek “Digger” Schuster

The traditional starting point for the motocross season in Ontario has been and will be for many years to come: Gopher Dunes. Gopher Dunes is a demanding sand track and a true labour of love for the Schuster family. We caught up with Derek Schuster while he was preparing for this weekend’s Amateur National Qualifier.

MXP: Hey Digger! What’s up?
Derek Shuster: Hey, lots going on here. We are wide open preparing for this weekend’s season opener Amateur National Qualifier race! Everyone is busy doing their tasks to be ready for when riders start rolling in on Saturday.

MXP: Traditionally, Gopher Dunes is the first race of the season here in Southwestern Ontario. How stressful is that for you guys?
Derek Shuster: It can be stressful when you are working with bad weather. We are definitely getting some bad weather right now with all of this rain. However, we did close the track for one extra day this week to get things set up for the rain, so the track can handle it all. We feel pretty confident that it will be great by Sunday!

MXP: There is a lot going on other than motocross, you have the shop and plenty of events. What else do you guys have coming up?
Derek Shuster: Yes, we have lots going on here other than just this weekend’s race. Our Pro Shop has been busy this spring, which is awesome because we have been ramping things up in there. After this weekend we have a club race coming up followed by a truck Mudfest, so April is hectic.

MXP: Last year, GDR, the racing division of the track, took a big
jump forward. I know there has been a lot in flux this off season. It must take up a huge amount of work.

Derek Shuster: I can’t give many details quite yet about our plans with the team this year but we will be back with two riders on Hondas. After Tyler switched teams we said that we really wanted to still have one Canadian on the team, but that is not easy to sort out a deal in April. Most people already have rides and we wanted to find someone who didn’t already have a deal somewhere else so it has taken some time to find the right fit. Look for a press release soon about the GDR team.

MXP: What can riders look forward to this weekend when they arrive at Gopher Dunes for the ANQ?
Derek Shuster: Well, we have made a couple of small changes to the track with two jumps to change things up for the riders. The rain looks like it will stop on Friday and Sunday is supposed to be a sunny day, which is a good way to start off the season. We also have a couple sales happening in our Pro Shop: our sand tires are 25% off and our goggles are ‘buy one, get one half off’.

MXP: If you could tell riders to do one thing to be prepared for this weekend what would it be?
Derek Shuster: The main thing is to prepare for a rough track. ANQs get big turnouts so the track will get beat up by the end of the day. You will see which riders did their homework over the off-season and which ones rode the couch!

MXP: Perfect. Well thanks Derek and we will let you get back at it for the Dunes’ opener this weekend.
Derek Shuster: Thanks for calling. I want to remind riders to make sure they do all they can to be prepared for the weekend. Have your bike ready, your transponder purchased, your membership purchased, and be ready to race. It is going to be great. Anyone who needs info should follow us on twitter @gopherdunes to be up to speed on everything.

Check out this video from last weekend at Gopherdunes by the talented Drew Anger.

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