Paddock42 Rider Grant Robertson – Q&A

Paddock42 catch up with its sponsored rider Grant Robertson as the race season draws to a close.

P42: Hi ya Grant, thanks for talking the time to talk with us. How has this 2013 season been for you?

This season has been absolutely perfect I entered the season with the aim of finishing top 10 in the highly competitive MRO Minitwin Championship. At the first round of the year I finished 3rd and we have continued from there. At the last round at Cadwell Park I got pole position and took my first ever win in the class.

P42: How did you get into racing – what made you think hey I want to do that?

I had been looking at racing for a few years. A friend of mine Ali Black was racing his SV650 in the MiniTwins and I just knew this is what I wanted to do. I was obsessed with racing and watched all the bike racing I could on television.

We went along to watch a Bemsee round at the beginning of 2010 and I met Sam Cox who is now racing in the Triumph Triple Challenge, as he was racing MiniTwins at the time and riding for a team.

P42: Did you do lots of track days before you started racing?

No, my first time on my race bike was at the Brands Hatch race school. I was very slow but loved every minute of it from then on I was hooked. I did a track day 1 week after the race school but in the last session I high-sided coming out of Clearways and broke my collar bone. Meaning I missed the 1st round that was only 5 days later.

P42: What are your memories of your first race?

Very little, I remember it being absolutely freezing cold as it was still in March. We had slept in the van the night before in minus conditions. That first weekend was still amazing, I was so far off the pace but I didn’t mind I was just happy to be racing.

P42: You have been selected for the 2013 Triumph Young Guns – how did this opportunity come about and how have you enjoyed working with Triumph?

I knew about the Triumph Young Guns scheme from Charlie King who had got through to the final 3 the year before. I sent in my portfolio and a few weeks later I recived an email saying I was through to the final 10.

Working with Triumph has been one of the best things to come out of my racing, its an opportunity that very few professional racers have been given. Triumph go through every part of professional racing with us, from media, sponsorship, fitness, nutrition, race craft and technical set up. We attend seminars with professionals in all these fields and what I have learnt has totally changed my approach to racing for the better and you can see this in my results this season.

P42: Do you spend a lot of time training in the gym? What kind of training do you work on?

Triumph Young Guns tested all its selected riders on their fitness, this included a bleep test, plank test and a flexibility test, all carried out at Loughborough University in the sports science department. Then we were re-assessed at Donnington Park about 2 months later. Following the first Triumph test, I had spent a lot of time running and working on core strengthening exercises to improve my fitness for the re-assessment. When the day came, I had improved so much; my bleep test had gone from level 9.8 to 11.3 and my plank time from 1.37 to 3.03 and I had also improved my flexibility as well.

P42: Best & worst circuit?

I wouldn’t say I have a worst circuit, but the favourites are, Oulton Park, Brands GP, Thruxton and Pembrey. Cadwell Park has to be my number one, because I have had my first pole position and first win there. It’s a real bike racers circuit and I love The Mountain.

P42: Barry Sheene wore a Gary Nixon T shirt under his leathers as a good luck charm – do you have any pre-race routine that you like to do before you head out on track?

I don’t have any particular routines I like to make sure I am ready in lots of time and have a sit down and think about the race ahead. I also make sure my leathers are comfortable.

P42: 2014 season, obviously you have a chance with Triumph but that aside what are your plans for next season?

I’m not sure I am in talks with a few people but nothing serious at the moment. I would love to be racing in the Triumph Triple Challenge next season or maybe 848 Challenge. Watch this space.

P42: Ultimately where do you see yourself – long term racing goals?

Long term I would love to be racing in British Superbikes or Supersport. I just want to make sure I enjoy my racing and we can go from there.

P42: Away from racing what other sports do you enjoy?

I enjoy Mountain biking, road cycling and Golf but mainly I just love motorbikes.

P42: Who is your favourite BSB racer at the moment and why are you such a fan?

I have 2 favourite riders at the moment Tommy Bridewell and Alex Lowes, both of these riders have so much determination, drive and ambition.

P42: WSBK?

At the moment I don’t rate WSBK they need to change the rules to make it more affordable. This year alone 2 major manufacturers are droping out. I think BSB has the right idea with the evo class. Rider wise I would have to say Tom Sykes, super committed and I love the way he rides, also the King of super pole and defiantly the quickest over 1 flying lap.

P42: MotoGP?

MotoGP is of course the pinnacle of our sport, I am pleased Marquez is now in the championship, young and determined to win which I admire. I also really like watching the Moto3 and Moto2 championships as they produce some of the closest racing.

P42: Best career moment so far?

Definitely my first outright win at Cadwell Park, especially after taking the pole as well.

P42: Favourite bike ridden?

Gotta be my Suzuki SV650 we have had so many great races together and I don’t think I could ever sell that bike.

P42: Have you done much off road- mx etc?

Between the ages of 13-16 I had a Yamaha DT50 and a Yamaha DT125 that I used to ride on a local field. I never raced or went to a motorcross track though.

P42: What’s the best bit of racing advice you have been given?

Just to enjoy your racing.

P42: Wise words if your enjoying it you are usually much more relaxed and therefore faster! Are your handy on the spanners?

I’m ok if I put my mind to it – I like to clean the bikes after the race weekend to make sure they are in good shape. My dad generally does all the mechanical work for me and he also does all the spanner work in the paddock enabling me to focus on my races which is a great help.

P42: When racing your kit is so important do you have favourite leathers, helmet, knee sliders etc?

I have a Karl Harris replica KBC helmet and wear RST leathers and TCX boots. I also wear a Knox back and chest protectors.

P42: Chest protectors have filtered down from MotoGP and and a great addition to a back protector. Racing cars is simple its just overalls and nomex undies – would you ever switch to four wheels?

I don’t think so, I have a Ford Fiesta ST as my road car but it still isn’t half as quick as my Suzuki SV650 – I think I will stick to bikes!

P42: So only 2 races to go for you this year, next weekend at Brands then a non championship race at Thruxton. With that in mind are you on the sponsor trail for next season?

Most definitely if anyone is looking to sponsor a rider please get in touch!

P42: Thanks Grant and wish you all the very best with Young guns and 2014.

Thanks Guys and great speaking to you.

You can follow Grant on his twitter page @grant_95

Photograph by Racing Line Photography

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