by dirtgirl
5 Minutes with... Dean Wilson
Thursday, July 29, 2010 | 10:52 AM
Share
Comment
Email
PrintDean Wilson was born in Glasgow, Scotland. At age 9, he moved with his family to Canada, where Dean began to excel at motocross racing. At age 14, Dean moved to California, and he’s been here ever since. The 2009 AMA Horizon Award winner was drafted onto Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki outfit for his rookie pro season, where he’s made an immediate impact. For this reason, his name is in the conversation for the 2010 Motocross of Nations, but given his background, choosing a nation to ride for could get a bit tricky. And it has.
Racer X: Dean, you went 6-6 at Washougal, a couple small falls in the early stages of both motos taking you out of the mix. A rough day for you?
Dean Wilson: Yeah, Washougal was a little bit rough for me because I was going into the race second in points. Canard was on a roll and I didn’t really want to lose second. In the first moto I was behind Canard and sitting in second and had a real good get-off. I hit my head pretty hard and saw stars, and it took me a while to get up. And once I got up, I was pretty far behind and had to work my way through the pack, and I ended up sixth. It wasn’t what I wanted, so I just wanted to regroup and get ready for the second moto. In the second moto I was up there. I was fourth off the start, and then I just fell over and then people were all running over my back and it took me forever to get going. Once I got going, I was way behind again. I was able to catch up to sixth, so I went 6-6 for fifth overall. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I salvaged the day.
Dean Wilson racing at Washougal MX Park where he went 6-6 for 5th overall.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Dean Wilson racing at Washougal MX Park where he went 6-6 for 5th overall.
Photo: Simon Cudby
With four races remaining on the schedule, you’re only 48 points out of the first place in the championship.
I’ve been pretty consistent going through the series. I’ve been on the box a lot, and that’s just where I want to be. Sometimes you don’t have the best days, and I had that last weekend. Now hopefully that’s over with and I just have to be consistent and stay on the box.
You’ve won an overall, a moto, have three second-place finishes, and four third-places thus far outdoors. Did you think you would be so successful in your rookie year?
I prepared well for it. I have a lot of good people in my corner helping me, and Mitch [Payton] has me on the best bike out there, so I kind of expected it from myself. But I really didn’t know what was going to happen because it’s a pretty fast class. I’m just stoked to be in the position that I am, because if you would have told me last year that I would be here, I probably wouldn’t have believed it.
There are four races to go on the in the 250 Motocross Championship. What’s the plan? Pin it and just try to get to the front?
I want to get back to second in points. It’s not going to be an easy task, but we’ll just have to see how it goes. It’s going to take really good starts. Pretty much if you want to win, you have to get good starts.
Talk of the 2010 Motocross of Nations and which riders will be riding for what nations has already started. Have you made any sort of decision on anything?
Yeah, I made my decision. It was definitely not an easy one—it was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. It was really hard. I’m going Team Great Britain. There was just a lot of politics within the Canadian team, which kind of sucks. I was born in Scotland. I’ve lived there longer than I ever lived in Canada or America. I mean, it’s kind of something I’ve always wanted to do. To do it for them is going to be pretty awesome, because I have lots of family there. I really want to do it for my grandpa, as well. He’s 88, and he’s a true Scotsman, and he wants me to do it so bad. It will be awesome to do it for him and all of my family.
Is your grandpa still in Scotland?
Yeah, he still lives in Scotland. All of my family lives in Scotland. I have some family that lives in Toronto, but for the most part, they’re all in Scotland. It’s just a tough decision for me because I rode for Canada last year. I kind of feel a little bit disrespectful and like I’m turning my back on them, but I’m not turning my back on them—it’s just the decision I’ve made. I’m a racer, not a politician. If I had Colton [Facciotti], Dusty [Klatt], and myself on the Canadian team, that would be a great team. I believe we could be top-five. But even if we had those two riders, I still made my decision, and it’s going to be with Great Britain. I’m just fortunate to have an opportunity to be on that team. I’m pretty grateful for that.
Do you know who your teammates are yet?
I’m not sure who my teammates are. I think it’s possibly it’s [Tommy] Searle and [Shaun] Simpson, but I’m really not sure.
Wilson and Searle might be racing under the same tent for the Motocross of Nations at Thunder Valley.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Wilson and Searle might be racing under the same tent for the Motocross of Nations at Thunder Valley.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Do you think you’ll take any heat from the Canadian fans?
I’m kind of expecting it, but at the same time a lot of people know my situation and they know where I’m from. I hope I don’t lose any fans from the UK or Canada. I mean, I know some people from the UK aren’t too pumped on my decision, but it’s the decision I made, and I’m just going to give it my best effort. That’s all I can do.
Did you like this article?
Check out ON TOUR
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
The Monster Energy Supercross tour is staffed by an intensely dedicated group of sponsors and support staffers. Here’s what life is like on the SX road. Page 136.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
It's good to know he's riding for us, hope he doesn't get to much stick for his decision.
If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP!
test....
test again...
Disappointed that you are not riding for Canada, but I am a big fan and will be cheering you on. Good luck in the rest of the Nationals and MXDN.
Dean I'm proud of your decision, You are Scotish first! I am Canadian and will be cheering for you like many other of your Canadian fans. Those who have a problem with your decision have bigger problems. Hauls ass these last four rounds and get ready for the Motocross of Nations.
Wish you were riding with the Canucks but who cares, just go dominate like RV at Budds Creek.
He only lived in Canada for 5 years, he isnt Canadian. He now lives in the States. But he is from Scotland, so I am glad to see him ride for them. It is cool just to see him riding in the Des Nations.
Pardon my ignorance because I haven't had geography in a while, but isn't Scotland a different country than England??? So could I ride for Canada since our countries touch?
Great Britain is the island that contains England, Scotland and Wales. 'UK' is short for 'The United Kindom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland', hence the reason why a Scot (or Welsh, English, Northern Irish presumably) can ride for team GB. In the soccer World Cup however, there are seperate teams for England, Scotland and Wales. Not sure who decided on why there is 1 GB MX team but seperate teams in soccer.
PS not that I give a rat's about soccer, just thought the difference was interesting...
Hey bd200 do some research. Dean lived in Canada and also got his Canadian citizenship while he was here. Which means he has dual citizenship. He is considered a Scotsman and Canadian. And it is cool that he is riding the des nations. You could have watched him last year as well at the Des nations riding for Team Canada.
I think where your blood is from means more than where you migrated to. In which case Dean is a Scotsman and made the right decision. I’m sure his Gramps will back me up! Also, that means we might see Canard race the des Nations and Trey-dog is ON FIRE! He should have a butt patch that says “Burning Man!” Both Canard and Wilson are VERY entertaining to watch.
Good kid,...do what your heart tells ya, I'm american live in canda, didnt loose me.
What do you mean, "Do some research" ? I did, he lived in Canada for 5 years, Scotland for 9, and now in the U.S. He isnt Canadian, he has citizenship, so what, he isnt Canadian. He is Scottish, deal with it, aparantly he is.
So bd200 he lived in Scotland till he was 8 but he was there 9 years? Anyways that point is mute. What is your take on Jeff Ward then back in the day? I have no problem with Dean riding for Scotland thats who he should be riding for. I just didn't see GB knocking on his door last year. It's a little tougher to take for some of us that watched him ride up here for so long knowing he was going to make it big. Dean lived not far from me up here so I got to see him ride when he was younger. The kid could absolutely haul. I totally understand his decision. Right now Canada's team is a total mess so I get that. I was just hoping we would put our best team together this year with the race so close.
Every interview I've seen with Dean is he moved when he was 8 years. So I don't know where they got 9 in this piece.
i guess its obviously that he was well into his 9th year,anyhow,great for the kid,his country of birth,familiy origins etc,i think it's awesome,is Langston really American? or Reed? just cos they hold a passport? Dean presumably has 2 passports but his origins don't lie in Canada
I want to see The Flying Squirrel win one more national this year! GO DEANO!!!
Right in this article he says he moved at 9 years old. I'll take their word for it over yours. Jeff Ward lived almost his entire life in the States. Dont know how small he was when he moved here, but he wasnt racing yet I dont think. Dont really care actually. Dean Wilson made his choice to ride for his "HOME" country. Which is what he should do. I dont see Reed riding for the U.S. He even owns a home here and lives more months here. Same with Grant Langston. Max Anstie, Brett Metcalfe and a host of others. They still ride for their home nations. Ask Jeff Ward what country he is from, he will say the United States.
Jeff Ward was 4 years old when he moved to the U.S. Just looked it up. So I guess he felt his racing career started and ended in the U.S. And I agree. That is a little different I guess. He probably doesnt even remember much before he moved here..