Hey MXP readers Cale Barnes here, I caught up with National number 72 Drew Roberts as he seems to be well on his way to his strongest season yet. The Roberts family have always been a staple in Ontario Motocross and as far back as I remember seeing Drew at the track he has always been winning in each class he has come through. In 2009 Drew finished 3rd at the Walton Transcan in the very competitive Supermini class.
In 2010 Drew was on his way to multiple championships in the Junior classes at Walton until an injury took him out of contention. Drew had a great year as an Intermediate in 2011 as one of the top riders to watch and finished 2nd in mx2 Intermediate and 5th in mx1 and mx3 at the TransCan. Not only that, he got the Rick Joseph Memorial Award at Walton, 3 intermediate provincial titles and even scored national #98. Since then he has scored a national number each year (60 in 2012, 66 in 2013, 72 in 2014). Drew was rocking this past weekend at Gopher Dunes AMO races winning the pro classes. Read on for more.
This season Drew Roberts hopes to have the same success in the pro class at Walton as he did as an amateur. photo by Randy Wiebe
MXP: Hey Drew, what’s new what are you up to right now?
Drew Roberts: Hey Cale. Right now I am just studying for my exam tomorrow (well kind of). Just have two more and I’m done for the year!
Besides racing each weekend, what is your schedule like during the week?
School has been keeping me busy like I said. Other than that I have been helping some local riders out with some lessons in the evenings. Between all that and trying to find time to ride myself there just isn’t enough hours in the day!
You have definitely made some gains since last year, you were able to go to Florida this winter, talk about that trip and what you think has been most critical to your progression?
Ya finally made it down south this year. I have been wanting to go down since 80’s but I just never made it happen. Shout out to Jack Wright for helping me with a ride down there and Josh Mann for letting me crash with him for an extra week! It was awesome being there. Great people, great tracks, great weather. The extra seat time and getting back into riding shape earlier was a huge gain for me. And I had a blast everyday on the bike.
You had a great showing last weekend at Gopher Dunes AMO race winning the Pro class and have been running up front consistently this spring lining up with some top national Pro’s. That must be a rewarding feeling?
It’s definitely rewarding to finally be up there. I have been just off the pace the last few years but this year I seem to be right up in the mix more. I think from being down south this year it has given me that extra little edge on where I was last year.
What are your plans for the Pro Nationals this year?
I plan to be at all the east nationals. I was trying to figure out a way to get out west but its an expensive trip for sure and it didn’t work out. Maybe next year I’ll get to all 10 rounds.
You are starting your fourth year as a professional now I believe and you have some good people around you supporting you but talk about the struggle to get that next level of support and what you think it will take to get the attention of the big sponsors.
It is tough to get that next level of support. I think it comes with better results and a lower national number. There isn’t a lot of good manufacturer support in Canada and it all seems to go to the Americans anyway so you really have to show good results to be considered.
You have a really cool property where you live with a sweet main track placed on rolling hills, a mini track and lots of trails, that must be fun growing up with that in your backyard?
Ya it has been awesome although we don’t do the amount of riding that we used to anymore. School and work always seem to be getting in the way!
What are the plans for Gully Mor Moto in the future? Do you hope to grow it with bigger races or keep it more how it is with the TVR club races?
We don’t really have plans or goals for the track. We have already progressed further than we ever thought we would. We just do it because we love the sport and enjoy the challenges of holding events. Every year we just try to improve and make it more enjoyable for everyone so we will see where it takes us.
You have also done some riding schools there, is this something you want to do more of in the future?
Ya for sure. I enjoy doing it and I think the riders do too.
Here Drew blasts through a Moto Park berms on route to a successful day of racing. photo by Green Photography
Your whole family is involved in motocross and you have been doing this since a young age, what are your goals in the future?
I try not to think too far into the future. I just play it day-to-day and try and enjoy what I’m doing. I would like a top 30 national number one day but I think I will have to go west to get enough points, so maybe next year!
Besides moto what do you do for fun?
I like going on canoe trips, or going to the beach. I like going wakeboarding although I don’t get out as much as I would like. Hanging out with friends is always fun and lately I have been obsessed with listening to podcasts.
Thanks for taking the time to do this Drew, best of luck to you this season. Who do you want to say a thank you to?
Thanks for setting this up man! Mom & Dad do so much for me so big thanks to them. TechCare has my suspension dialed in this year and I have never felt so comfortable on a bike before! Thanks to Gamma Sales, Dragon, and Fly for the awesome gear. Also thanks to Xtreme Toys for the years of support.