by Eric Johnson
5 Minutes with... Dean Wilson
Friday, February 11, 2011 | 4:00 PM
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson was absolutely flying in the off-season. And everyone knew it. Including Dean. Just after hearing from Mitch Payton that he was slated to take on the Lites West championship, though, Dean went down and separated his shoulder. The immediate concern was how bad it was, so he could figure out if he could get healthy in time for the Lites East, and we talked to Wilson to find out how he’s coming along, since the Lites East starts up this Saturday night in Houston, Texas.
How is the world’s fastest Scots/Canadian?
Dean Wilson: Well, I’m good. Just still getting ready for Houston and riding and training and all that good stuff. So that’s pretty much all I’ve been up to. I was just watching my teammates race on the weekend, so that’s pretty much it.
What was it like to have to sit there and watch the first few races knowing that you should’ve been out there?
I mean, right when I got hurt, it was the day before Christmas so I had that week and a half or so to go. Right when I got hurt I was really bummed out. The team did so good the first round. I mean, it kind of sucked watching it, but at least the team went 1, 2, 3, and that was really awesome. So that’s pretty much it. I was just kind of over it before it started but then once it came time to go to the races, it was better.
What did you hurt, exactly?
I separated my shoulder; like my AC joint or whatever. It was a third-degree separation. If it was a fourth-degree separation, it would have needed surgery, but it was third, so I skipped surgery by like inches. I didn’t get surgery, but it is really goofy looking for sure, my shoulder. It’s working fine and everything now, so I’m happy about that.
After a off-season injury Wilson is ready to contend for the east title.
Photo: Eric Johnson
What happened? Where did you go down?
I was just training at Glen Helen when it was raining really, really bad in California. We just went up to Arizona and stayed there for a good three days of riding. I felt really good and everything was just really going good. Then I came back and Mitch actually told me, “All right, you’re going to be racing west coast.” I was like, “Yes, finally I get to race in the stadium I’ve always watched in.” He was like, “You’re going to be testing tomorrow,” so I was like, “all right.” Then we went to the Glen Helen Supercross track and tested and I was riding and I just hit a soft spot on one of the jumps and it threw me over the bars, and that was that. My collarbone was almost sticking through my skin and I was pretty gutted, to say the least. But that’s what happened.
When you got back riding again, were you a little bit worried about how it was going to perform?
Yeah, I mean, I was worried, but I guess I thought I dislocated my shoulder at first. I just drove straight to the doctors and it was only separated. But separation looks pretty gnarly when you look at it, so I was kind of freaking out a little bit. Then my doctor said it’s not as bad as it looks and I was like, “Well, that’s good.” He says it’s better than a shoulder dislocation. So I was just really happy about that.
For the last few years, the Lites West would race for a while, then the East would race, then it would go back West again at the end of the season, but you’re starting this weekend in Houston, then you have a week off right away before round two...
Yeah, I know, it’s weird. It’s kind of going to make it good for the series because guys are going to go into this weekend to see where they’re at and if they’re not where they need to be, they’ve got two weeks to work hard again for the next round. Then, from there, that’s when it’s going to pick up and everything is going to start settling into place and see where everybody belongs.
So, obviously your plan is to belong at the very front, right? So what do you feel like you need to do in order to do that this year?
Well, as of right now, I don’t exactly even feel 100 percent. I mean, my speed’s just not there where it should be. But obviously the most important thing is getting a start. You know, you watch any Supercross race and you rarely see a guy come from 10th place to first. So, definitely the start is really important and you need to be in good shape because if you’re leading and you get tired on the tenth lap, you’ve still got five laps to go and you’re going to fade. So, you definitely have to be in good shape and get good starts and I think those are the two big, key things.
Wilson is a major threat on the east coast.
Photo: Eric Johnson
So, you’re saying your speed isn’t back to where it was before you went down?
Exactly. It’s nowhere near where it was before I got hurt. Before I got hurt, I was just completely on it and just right where I wanted to be and riding really, really well. And right now I’m just not there, so I’m going into this weekend just to try my best. You know, obviously I want to win, but we’ll just see how it goes.
Are they going to let you come back to the USA from the Toronto round this year?
Yeah, I’m all good. No worries there. We’ll be fine.
How do you think this year will be different for you?
I just think from the experience, you know last year was just a learning curve and I just had lots of fun and enjoyed it. This year now it’s really time to just achieve my goals and it’s time to crack down. Last year was my first year, and I didn’t know what to expect; I was just having fun and enjoying it and learning. And now I just have to take everything I learned from last year and apply it to this year. Like I said, I want to just achieve the goals that I want to achieve in life and that obviously includes a championship, so that’s really what I want to do this year. That’s pretty much it.
So, if you win a title, what’s going to be your first big purchase?
Nothing. I don’t know yet...
You should get a mansion. You can get mansions in California for cheap now.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with my money. I’m just going to save it and be a happy, old man.
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Dean is a cool kid. I can't wait to see him and Barcia bangin bars.
Indeed.....Hopefully he doesnt have any visa issues while gunning for the title...
Man, that gear is ugly!
BARCIA IS BETTER AT SX DEANO HAS NO CHANCE
I would think a belt should be the first big purchase. JK Let er rip Deano....huge fans here.
Your right Barcia is Better ! What does Mitch Payton know putting Deano and Blake who there ?
JimMCarlsbadCa
I detect Sarcasm Jimbo
Barcia has NOTHING on Dean!! This championship is his!!
Barcia has NOTHING on Dean!! This championship is his!!
I wouldn't say the championship is Dean's but he can definitely beat Barcia on any given day if things go well.
Why am I not surprised that this interview was done by Eric Johnson?
Its always great to start a new series, nobody knows whats gonna happen. Its also great that we will NOT see Hansen, until we get back to the west rounds. Oh and next year were Hansen will most likely be back on the lites class..AGAIN
If Dean Wilson does his best he is going to dominate Houston
All this deano and barcia talk, they are obviously good riders, but i think there is gonna be another guy up there with some more experience than both of them put together
I hope the Flying Squirrel's shoulder holds up. He had some serious momentum after the nationals last year. I think he can handle Barcia, but he needs to start ahead of him. If Barcia gets close you know he is gonna take EVERYONE out, including himself.
BAnzai!!! Deano!
I really need Deano to do well...this year is literally my worst f@$#&ng; nightmare so far.
Go 1, 22, 66, 29!!!
How many years will Hanson be in the 250 class? He better milk it cause the non-moto-x racin, tatooed hollywood wannabe ***** will get shellacked!!! Step it up HIPPY!!!
Just sayin... Wanna see him move up...
Wilson, then Bagget, barcia will be a okay.
Best not forget about Bagget, and for sure don't forget "So easy a cave man could do it" Blake Warton! Bib, big shhout out to our local boy Chad Cook OKC, Ok.
deano and baggett got it deano is my neighbor and i've been goin ridin with him and baggett alot...barcia's got nothin he's to much show nico izzi might mix things up if he gets a good start!!
For the record, I'm calling this guy for the championship!!!!
Steveman, you are such a dumbass, and that goes for all the rest of you *****in idiots about sayin Hansen has been in the class to long, and it is unfair to the rookies. If anything the rookies have an advantage over him because they are younger, hungry and have more stamina. Do you think K Dub should retire because he has raced the 450 class to long? No you dnt! I didn't see all this hate when Metcalf was the oldest guy ridin in the lites class! Lites or 450s it doesn't matter because some riders are just better at either or. remember Pauly Carpenter?? He tore it up on a 450 but couldn't ever put it together on a 250f. Get a *****in clue before you post on here and make yourself sound like a complete idiot!
This Championship is Dean's for the taking. Guarenteed he's getting those monster girls by now
Dean treated my kids like crap at High Point last year during the track walk. He is a sarcastic, spoiled, little punk.
I can't wait for Barcia to teach him a little respect. I hope Barcia pushes him off the track (without injurying him). He already has his whiny story concocted.....I am not fast as I used to be....poor me.
It saddens me a bit that people have so much venom that they need to come out here and hate on Josh Hansen ... under an interview with Dean Wilson! But, on the other hand, I guess I can feel good about not having that kind of negativity inside me. Staying in the small class too long? I guess you guys must have REALLY hated Steve Lamson (if you even know who he is).
I think the schedule is kinda goofy. First, quit moving all the races out west and Houston would still be a west round. And why run an east round, then right back to the west?? Crazy, but I think these guys will run all the way to the last round. And there are a few other fast guys not being talked about who may stick a wheel in on the east.
As for the ACTUAL racing tonight, I have to pull for the boy from District 34 ... Barcia! Should be a good series, though. Baggett and Wharton will make some noise. Maybe a surprise or two? I don't expect much from little brother, though (#139).
what.. matt ure the dumbass hansen is still in his 20's at top physical shape with way more experience then the other younger riders in the class u cant even compare k-dub to hansen ,k-dub is in his thirties probably going to retire in the next couple years ... so your saying if james stewart or vilipoto rode in the lites class they wouldn't just dominate?? think about what ure talking about before you call people out
I'm confused. Was this interview with or about Josh Hansen? What's happening here? I don't get it. Mom?
Matt, that's why the AMA has rules about pointing out of the 250 class, for guys like Lamson and Guy Cooper who were 125 class lifers. They weren't any good on the big bikes. You remember that? Some of us are just a step ahead of you in the smarts dept.
Matt, young and hungry doesnt overcome strength, experience and mental stamina over several weeks. If you dont think a guy 26 years old is stronger than a 16 or 17 year old kid your nuts. And having almost 10 years of experience on a kid helps a ton, especially mentally. You have no clue if you dont realize this.
Only SX has a limit on the lites class. MX you can race it for as long as you want.
Im not a Hansen fan at all, but I'm glad to see he may have turned around his life. Hansen is right where he belongs, ya he won that little 450 series in australia but anytime, any real SX rider showed up he was beat EVERYTIME!!! Hopefully he can win the title and some money and maybe a crack on a support 450 ride and give it a shot...thats about all I can see.
Now that Roczen kid once he figures it out, its over for everyone else.
Dean is to fast for barcia and plus barcia is going to get hurt in practice then you guys will have nothing to talk about.
i love how people think hansen is racing this weekend.
maybe the 'old' nico izzi will come....
dean wilson is a fag he broke darryn durhams foot when he was leading the heat race thats not very cool i mean it was only the heat race and he didnt have to hit people
Rappers make wonderful spaghetti