The last two seasons have been very tough for Colton Facciotti. After winning his third CMRC MX1 Championship in 2011, Colton came into each of the last two seasons ready to race, only to have his year end with injuries at round two in Kamloops. For 2014, Colton is determined to get back on top, and with a fresh start on the Gopher Dunes Racing Honda Team he may do just that. We caught up with Colton as his preparation for 2014 begins.
Q: Good Morning Colton, how are things on this cold Ontario morning?
A: Things are good. I just got home from the gym actually.
Q: The gym? It’s 9am! You must have got an early start today?
A: Yes (laughs), I didn’t get to the gym yesterday so I wanted to get my training overwith early today. It’s like riding – if you miss a day, you’re really eager to get back at it the next day.
Q: How are the injuries doing? Are you all healed up?
A: I feel good. My leg is almost back to 100%, which is awesome considering how badly it was broken. I’m still dealing with a little muscle stuff with it but it keeps improving. If I bang it on the coffee table it still hurts a bit but that’s it.
My finger is also doing better than I ever thought it would be. It was completely shattered at Kamloops but now I have full movement. Things are good and I’m ready to start riding.
Q: We talked a few weeks ago and you mentioned that you might head to GPF over Christmas. Is that still the plan?
A: I was thinking of going for two weeks before Christmas but that would have me leaving today and we’re just not ready. We were a little late getting the contract signed so it would just be too rushed to try to get everything ready to head south this early. I think part of me wanting to go before Christmas was that I’m just really excited to get riding my new Honda!
Q. Yes, it’s going to be good to see you on a Honda next year. Take us back to the first time you and Derek Schuster spoke about the possibility of you riding a Honda in 2014.
A: I think it was about two months ago when he first mentioned it to me, but it was just in conversation and I actually thought he was just joking. Then as time went on and we kept talking about it, things started to get more serious and it became a possibility.
Q: Did you still think that re-signing with KTM was going to happen?
A: Yes. All along I thought I would be going back there but when Honda presented us with an offer I gave KTM a chance to match or come close, but at that point they said there was no budget for me and that was it. I have nothing but good things to say about the KTM Team. They were great to me and I feel bad that I couldn’t deliver what they hired me to do. I should’ve won two championships for them but instead I only did a few races. I really want to thank them for all of their support but I think a change of scenery will be good for me.
GDR Team Owner Derek Schuster (on the left) has been slowly building his team into a championship winning team. With Colton Facciotti now onboard, 2014 may finally bring that championship.
Q: When you’re young you maybe want to be part of a factory team that takes care of everything for you. Now that you’re a little older, do you think this new deal will be a little better for you because even though you’re still factory supported, you guys can still do your own thing?
A: For sure, you’re seeing more and more of that in the USA with riders that do their own thing but still having factory support. Honda Canada obviously has some things that they want to happen but Derek is great at coming up with cool things, so I think everyone is going to see us with a pretty awesome set up. Like I said, I’m really excited to work with the GDR Team and to ride a Honda.
Q: It’s no secret that you and Derek are good friends and the Schusters treat you like part of their family. You’re certainly in good hands with them. If you need anything, you only live a few minutes away.
A: Definitely, that is one of the reasons that this deal is going to work out so well. I live fairly close to Gopher Dunes so we can easily test stuff if we need to, and I really do feel like I have a second family there, so that’s nice. Hopefully we can come into 2014 strong and win a championship together.
Q: What do you think it’s going to take to get the MX1 Championship back next year?
A: I have to do the same things that I’ve been doing. This past year I started the series off well and was in good position to battle Brett all summer. Each year you learn things and you make little adjustments to your program so you can come into the following year better prepared. I’m heading to GPF in January, which is even earlier than normal for me. I have a good plan for how I want to prepare for 2014, so I can’t wait to get going. As you know, so much of this sport is mental. Of course you need to do the training, but as long as you feel mentally prepared when it’s time to go racing, that’s very important.
Q: I’ve had a few conversations with your trainer, Todd, about how well you know whether you’re prepared or not. Whether you race 20 races before Nanaimo or none, you are very good at preparing yourself.
A: Yes, Todd and I have worked together for a long time now and we always have a great plan for how we’re going to prepare. Also, I’ve learned a lot over the years from JSR and Blair Morgan about how to be ready. I have a lot of experience now so I know how to do it. I think 2014 is going to be the toughest season ever with how fast the guys are, so I know I have to be completely ready.
Q: Well Colton, congratulations on your new deal. I think 2014 is going to be a really exciting season. I know I speak for every Canadian race fan when I say that it’s going to be awesome to see you battle Metcalfe, Kiniry, Medaglia and whoever else comes up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Please give Derek a big hug for me.
A: Same to you and your family. I hope 2014 is a good one. As I said before, I can’t wait to get going. Thank you for calling.