MXP Chatter: Doug Dubach

Doug Dubach needs no introduction because the multi-time Loretta Lynn’s and World Vet Champion has been around for a long time. Growing up in Southern California, Doug never dreamed that his life path would take him where it has. Always the underdog, Doug learned at a very young age to make the most of any opportunity that was given to him. Over the years these opportunities have come in spades, first as a factory Yamaha rider through the early 1990s, and then as a valued test rider for the company. After testing for numerous years for Yamaha, Doug decided to start Dubach Racing and as they say, the rest is history. Over the years Doug has had many accomplishments including his one and only 250 Supercross victory in 1991 in San Jose over his then teammate Damon Bradshaw.

In 2000, he travelled to Canada to ride for Dave Gowland’s Fed Ex Yamaha Team in the CMRC Canadian Nationals. That summer Doug dominated the series from coast to coast, eventually winning the MX1 Championship and becoming the first rider in the world to win a national motocross championship on a four-stroke powered motorcycle. Today Doug is still doing it all: he rides, he races, he teaches motocross schools and Dubach Racing is still going strong. If anyone knows what USA riders like Josh Hill and Mike Alessi are in for this summer in Canada, it’s Doug Dubach. We caught up with him just as he was heading out to the track to do some riding.

MXP: Hey Doug, I know this magazine wasn’t around when you were up here but thanks for taking the time for us. How are things?

DD: Yes, I don’t think any magazines existed when I was in Canada; I wish there was though. I’m doing really well actually. Dubach Racing is doing well, we’re certainly busy that’s for sure.

Do you guys have a busy season or is it just go go all the time?

Sometimes it’s busier than other times but we’re pretty steady all year. In California everyone likes to ride in the winter because that’s when the tracks are at their best, but obviously out east riding in the winter isn’t possible so that’s good for us. Like I said, we’re pretty steady.

Are you still at the shop every day?

Almost every day, we have things running pretty smooth so I can be in and out. If I’m not here then I’m either at a track riding or at a competition with my kids. They’re very busy with their own sports.

I know you’ve had kids for a while so it’s nothing new to you, but I think it’s awesome when pro racers become parents. Racing at a high level, it’s such a selfish thing but as you know, being a parent is the exact opposite?

For sure, these days you see a lot more riders with kids, guys like Reed, Windham, Short, they’re all doing both. I don’t know how they do it but I’m sure their wives take on quite a bit. My kids are everywhere playing numerous sports. I know I couldn’t take them or be there to watch them play if I was racing full time. However, racing takes passion and dedication, so I think it allows you to really do anything in life that you want, you just apply the same skills that you used in racing.

That’s very true. I know you do a lot of teaching at the local tracks in California. How are you finding the youth of our sport?

Good question, they’re certainly a talented bunch, that’s for sure. Obviously a lot of them think they’re going to be the next Ryan Villopoto so that’s half the battle when you’re teaching them. I did a large class a few years ago at Loretta Lynn’s and the first thing I said was that at best there was one future Ricky Carmichael sitting here.

What was the reaction to that opening statement?

It was pretty quiet, but you know what, the kids need to hear that and mostly the parents need to hear it! Once parents realize that in the big picture, when it comes to sports, we’re not really teaching kids to become rich athletes, only a small percentage will ever do that. While I certainly encourage kids to dream big, all we’re really doing is teaching life lessons to them. If they learn at a young age to work hard and put 100% into what they’re doing, they’ll use those skills for the rest of their lives. Once a parent figures that out, watching their kids compete becomes a lot more enjoyable.

Very well said Doug. I try and teach the same thing up here but sometimes it‘s a hard sell. Okay, I know you have a great memory, take me back 14 years to the summer of 2000?

You know, that deal was so last minute. Dave Gowland called me literally a few weeks before the first round and asked me if I wanted to do it. I thought about it and it didn’t really take me long to say yes! My wife was all for it because she loves to travel and see new places, so she said yes right away. I was long out of pro racing but I was still riding all the time testing and stuff so I was in great shape. Eventually I said yes and a couple weeks later I was on a plane to Nanaimo. I’m not even joking, the deal came about that quick.

I do remember hearing last minute that Dave was putting a team into the series and I was happy for him, but surprised. That team got him back into motocross and look where he is today. You didn’t win every race that year, but you certainly dominated when you had to on your way to the MX1 Championship?

Yes, I came into the series not knowing anything about the tracks, the country or a lot of the riders so my plan was just to be patient and see what was going to happen. Once the series got going and I knew that I could win, I just went moto by moto and took what I could. I remember as we moved east the riders got a little better and guys like Marco Dubé and Blair got better and better, but out west I think Blair got hurt. Other than Josh Woods, I won a lot.

Yes, Josh could run your pace but he was pretty young at the time, then in the east he ran both classes so it was hard for him. I know you won the championship so obviously that was fun, but overall, did you enjoy your time up here?

Chris, it was one of the best times I had in my entire career. The racing, the tracks were good and the people were just so friendly, even in Quebec where they didn’t speak English, everyone was great.

You know, I told a lot of people last year that Brett Metcalfe reminded me of you. He was such a class act up here, on and off the track and that’s how you were in 2000?

Well Brett and I were kind of in the same place. I know he was still racing professionally but like me at the time, he’s a little older than most of the guys so he appreciates more. He treated racing in Canada like a job, and by the looks of it he enjoyed it also. I was the same way, I was happy to be there and I made the most of it.

Well, that brings me to my next question. Two riders that are coming this summer aren’t the older and more mature type; Josh Hill and Mike Alessi are both young riders who seem to have run out of outdoor options in the USA. How do you think they will deal with the things that you and Metcalfe had to?

I don’t know either of those guys very well, I mean I’ve talked to Josh a bunch when he rode for Yamaha but I don’t know him. It’s the same with Mike, I’ve seen him around and heard a lot of stories like everyone, but I don’t know him either. I would say that they’d better be prepared to battle with names that they’re never heard of before and deal with it. Right from moto one in Nanaimo there are going to be Canadian riders that are going fast, and when you’re a top supercross guy like Hill was this past season, it’s going to be a blow to his ego for sure. I don’t know, both Hill and Alessi are in different places than Brett and I were so if they don’t start winning right away then it’s going to be really tough for them to deal with mentally. You guys go really fast on your tracks with your fans cheering for you, it’s really awesome to see. I hope for the sake of the series that these guys enjoy their time in Canada and make the most of this opportunity. Anytime you can go and get paid to travel and race in another country, you’re very lucky.

Once again Doug, well said. I knew I called you for a reason (laughs)?

You can call anytime, I love to talk moto; you know that.

Well, thank you for your time and best of luck with everything. Your championship winning season is still one of the best of all time up here.

Thank you, I really appreciate that Chris. Good luck with the series and please tell Mark Stallybrass I say hello, he’s created a great series up there, for sure.