Season Opener With Kerim Fitz-Gerald

The 2016 South African Motocross National series is about to get underway and we thought we’d kick things off with this Season Opener video and interview feature with the current MX1 champ, Kerim Fitz-Gerald. #KFitzProject

Name: Kerim Fitz-Gerald
Age: 29
2016 classes: MX1 (450SX-F) and MX2 (250SX-F)
Years racing: 25
Ranked: 1 (MX1) and 2 (MX2)
Championships: 8
Bike setup: Happy medium
Sponsors: Red Bull KTM, Thor, Oakley, Motorex, Bell Helmets, Rockwell, SA Hardcore Tattoos and Force Fuel.

What does the sport of Motocross mean to you?
Motocross is all I’ve known since I was 4 years old or even before that. My brother raced so I pretty much grew up at the track, so motocross to me is a huge huge part of my life. I’m very fortunate and grateful to be able to have had the life that motocross has given me.

You have had quite the career so far. What are your stand-out highlights?
Obviously winning championships has been great but even though it was petty much the worst riding weekend of my life personally the 2008 MXoN was something I’ll never forget. Racing alongside Neville (Bradshaw) and Tyla (Rattray) for SA was awesome.

Explain the feeling when you’re on the bike busting laps?
Depends if it’s a day that nothing is working and you’re fighting every aspect of doing laps, it doesn’t feel great at all. But, those days that it feels you can’t do anything wrong, every turn feels perfect, you feel like you’re going slow, it’s unexplainable! Words can’t describe how it feels.

You’re riding the new 2016 KTM bikes. How much have the bikes changed compared to previous models and how do they fit with your riding style?
The new bike is totally different, just about every part is different to the old bike but the new KTM’s are phenomenal. I have never ridden a bike as easy to ride as the new SX-F range. They turn where you want, they’re light and of course KTM make a bike with the best power. I think I gel with the bike purely cause it’s so easy to ride, I’m a smooth rider and having a bike that compliments that is a good combo.

The 2016 MX Nationals season is about to start. How are you feeling going into the series?
I feel good, I’m positive about 2016. The Red Bull KTM team and people behind me have given me everything I possibly need to fight for championships, so I can’t wait for round 1.

Who do you think is going to be your main competition in the MX2 and MX1 classes?
MX2 there are a few guys, Tristan, Nev, Ant, there are some young guys coming into the class so there are a few and there will be some surprises. MX1 is stacked, Sacha, Nev, Rich, David, Ant, Wyatt, there are 7-8 guys that have all won championships and any of those 7-8 guys can win again, so it’s a stacked class and it’s not going to be easy.

What are your thoughts on Richard van der Westhuizen coming out of retirement and returning to the races?
It’s good. Richard stayed away a year longer than I thought [laughs], I gave him a year and he was away for 2 but it’s good he is back. Him and I have always had good battles and I’m looking forward to racing him again.

What have you been up to during the off-season?
Not much. Went away in December to Thailand with my family and some friends so took some time off from riding which is always good. Started riding and getting everything ready in January.

What does a week of training and prepping for a race normally entail for you?
I try ride as much as possible, for me that works.

How many hours do you spend on the bike a week?
Depends, sometimes I might ride Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and sometimes I’ll only ride once in the week and a Saturday. It all depends how I feel and I think quality is better than quantity.

In your opinion, what is one of the key setups on the bike to aid its handling?
I don’t know if there is a specific setup but more so on what you feel works for you. I like my bikes to be setup pretty soft and I’m happy.

Which tracks in SA are your favourite?
There are a few tracks. Cape Town is so much fun to ride, Bloem is awesome and I always have fun riding Terra Topia.

Winning the MX1 Class in 2015 you have secured yourself a trip to the US to race. Tell us about that, when you’ll be going and what races you’ll be competing in?
Ya, that was pretty cool, the guys at Bell helmets SA put that together. I’m not 100% sure yet but I’ve been wanting to go race the first 2 outdoors in the US but we have a local race date that is on the same weekend as Glen Helen, so I’m not sure right now.

What are your goals while you are over there?
No goals really, I want to have fun riding there and make the most of it. Obviously if I do get the chance to race I want to do the best I can but take it all in and have fun.

How do you see the 2016 season playing out?
[Laughs] I’m not sure, motocross is so unpredictable. But I know it will be a good years racing!

Which up and coming riders do you think are the future stars of the sport?
I think there a few. In the small class I think Camden Mcllellan and Dalton Venter are definitely guys to look out for. In the 125 class I think Slade Smith is going to be good and I think is hoping to go back to the US this year, he did good there last year so he is definitely going to be a guy who will go far.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in getting into motocross?
You can go to MXSA.co.za, check out the dates and which race is close to you. Come watch a race and if you like it, start slow and practice as much as possible. There are a lot of riders and coaches that are willing to help out, but most important, have fun with it and I’ll see you at race soon.

How do you view the sport in our country and what do you feel is a sure way to grow it?
I think it’s getting better, the sport is growing but at the same time it’s not. It’s the same guys at every race, we some how struggle to get new guys into the sport. I know it’s very expensive but that’s where a couple of new small series like the Mayfair Diff and Gearbox series starting in Feb is going to help with getting new guys and girls racing and then move up from there. It’s cheap to enter and ride.