DEREK DRAKE INTERVIEW: FEELING ALIVE

Back in 2018, California rider Derek Drake won the coveted nicky hayden award at the Loretta Lynns amateur national. This award is presented to the most promising rider of the weekend. Turning pro with the then TLD Red Bull KTM team for 2019, Drake showed flashes of brilliance but also struggled with fitness. After two seasons with the team, Drake was let go. searching for answers to his struggles with fitness, it was discovered Derek had severe heart issues that required surgery. With much time away, Drake was then somewhat forgotten – except by the Bar X Suzuki/MDK Motorsports team. While Derek was doing decent on the 250-based team, they moved him up to the 450 class a couple of weeks before the 2023 Fox Raceway motocross opener. It was here that Derek shined and found that maybe he was a better 450 rider than a 250 rider. Who is to say that you must win a 250 regional supercross title before moving to a 450? Drake’s best finish to date was a seventh at Hangtown, with a tenth overall at the most recent High Point motocross national. Derek Drake now sits ninth in the 450 class championship, and this includes several motos where bike issues held him back. I will be anxious to watch Drake’s path this summer and hope this results in one of the motocross season’s feel-good stories. we talked to Derek after High Point.

 

BY JIM KIMBALL

2023 RED BUD NATIONAL // FULL COVERAGE

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DEREK, YOU ARE A 450 GUY NOW. Yes, it is looking like it.

HAVE YOU RIDDEN VERY MUCH ON A 450 IN THE PAST? No, I really have not. I started riding it about two weeks before Pala, the opener. I really gelled with it since the first day, and it has been looking good since then.

WERE YOU HAPPY IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR FIRST RACE? Yes, at Pala, I was happy with it.  I had a mechanical the first moto, so that put me out. At the time, I was running seventh, with, about four laps to go. Then at round two at Hangtown, I was seventh overall.  So, I felt that was solid, and I was happy with it. I think I can be up there with more time on the bike, becoming more comfortable on it, taking and better starts for sure. I am looking forward to getting closer to the top five.

 Derek has been building momentum with an 11th overall at Thunder Valley and a 10th Overall at High Point.

DO YOU FIND THE 450 EASIER, OR MORE DIFFICULT TO RACE – DUE TO THE EXTRA WEIGHT AND ENGINE? For myself, I feel like it is easier to ride a 450. I can just use the horsepower it has to my advantage. It does not wear me out as much. I like the 450 better for the outdoors, and it fits me well.

YOU HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF BIKE ISSUES HAVEN’T YOU? Yes, at both Pala and Thunder Valley I had issues with my brakes going out, and then at High Point, my clutch went out on Moto Two when I was behind Cooper Webb. But the 450 is a bit new to this team, and we are working on things. I’m looking forward to Red Bud.

Derek seems to blend well with the 450, putting consistent rides up near the front.

OVERALL, WHAT DO YOU THINK AFTER FOUR ROUNDS OF 450 MOTOCROSS? I feel good about where I’m at. I came in looking to make the top ten as a goal, now my goal is top five. I have some work to do, especially with my starts, but I’m going to practice those during this weekend off.

MOVING FORWARD, DO YOU SEE YOURSELF STAYING ON A 450? It is not in discussion yet, but I certainly would not be opposed to it with how the season is going. Who knows, you can move up whenever you want, and I like racing the top elite guys.

2023 RED BUD NATIONAL // FULL COVERAGE