David Pingree

David Pingree

January, 2001
By Eddie Graveline
www.motopress.net

David Pingree is what you would consider a journeyman in the 125 class now. At the ripe old age of 26, he is one of the oldest guys in the class. After losing the 125 West Supercross crown by a measly 2 points last year, “Ping” as he is known, is hungry. In 2001, he is riding a factory backed Red Bull/KTM. I got to talk to him for a few minutes after the first couple of rounds of the Supercross season had already taken place. He gave me some insight as to how he feels about his own performance this year as well as those of some of his competitors.

Q: David, the first part of the Supercross season hasn’t been what you would call disastrous for you, but you haven’t finished on the podium yet. It obviously hasn’t been what you want so far.

A: At the first round, I was just really nervous and I didn’t feel like I rode that good. The next round, I was riding better. I had a good heat race, but I just got a really bad start in the main. I worked up actually into fifth. I passed fifth on the last lap. I bobbled in the whoops and he got me back, so I ended up sixth. I’m still fine in the points. I haven’t blown it, but I definitely want to get up on the podium.

Q: Last year the 125 West championship was a battle between you and Shae Bentley. In fact, had it not been for some really bad luck, you would have won the title. That would lead one to assume that you and Shae would be the favorites this year. Yamaha, however, has introduced the YZ250F and brought Ernesto Fonseca to the West Coast to race it. Now it seems as though you’re kind of in the back of the media’s mind as far as being a threat to win the championship. Does that piss you off at all?

A: No. I think something that Shae and I both learned last year is that this championship is going to be won in the last few rounds, not the first few. Shae and I are both tied in the points right now, for fourth. We’re both still in the hunt. As long as we both stay consistent, that’s what’s going to matter in the end. A lot can happen in eight rounds. So much can change. I just want to get some wins here and try and stay consistent.

Q: How do you feel about the YZ250F and having to race against it?

A: The next column that’s coming out in Racer X is about that. I don’t think it’s fair, but the rule isn’t going to change for this year. I can piss and moan about it all I want, but the bottom line is that I’ve got to race against it all year long. I’ll just go out there and do the best I can with it.

Q: Have you done anything different to ensure better results in the remaining rounds of the series?

A: I did a lot of starts at the beginning of the week. I feel that that’s my biggest problem right now. My speed is there. I’m just not starting out up there. The guys who are on the podium each week are the guys who are first, second and third off the start. A lot of us are the same speed, it’s just where you start.

Q: I talked to you at the U.S. Open right after you had joined the team. At that point, you were totally stoked on the bike and the team. Do you still feel the same way?

A: Yeah, the team’s awesome. It surpassed any expectations that I had. The bikes are incredible. Every one on the team is really cool. It’s very professional, run well. I’m happy with the team, real happy.

Q: One of your teammates this year is current 125cc World Champion, Grant Langston. You could tell in round 1 that Grant was having a little bit of trouble getting accustomed to the American style Supercross track. Since then, though, his results have gotten consistently better. What’s it been like to ride with him and watch him go through that learning process?

A: He’s coming around. He’s learning Supercross. It’s hard, you know. At the more technical tracks, he’s going to struggle, but he’s learning. He’s a fast learner. He knows how to win. I’ll just say, ‘watch out for him in the outdoors’, because he’s really, really fast.

Q: A lot of guys that have come from Europe and racing in the GPs, have had a very difficult time getting acclimated to Supercross. Grant is only 18, though. Do you think that making the switch at such a young age will be a benefit to him?

A: For Supercross at least, for sure. Grant’s not afraid of anything. Shayne King (who came and rode in the U.S. last year), he’s a little more seasoned and he might back off in a questionable situation. Grant just goes for it.

Q: Will you ride 250s during the East Coast rounds?

A: No. I think Grant wanted to do Daytona. Other than that, Brock (Sellards), myself, none of us are going to do any 250 stuff at all.

Q: When the series does swing east, will you continue to race or just keep training and stay in shape?

A: Yeah, just kind of stay in shape. I’ll be focusing on the rest of my season.

Q: Everyone knew that Ernesto Fonseca would be a contender at the very least. A couple of other guys like Suzuki’s Danny Smith and Rodrig Thain have also been right in the mix. Has that surprised you or do you think that those guys have matured and come along since last year?

A: Yeah, they have. It doesn’t surprise me. I knew Danny was good. Just watching him at the first practice, I said, ‘he’s going to be good this weekend’. But, like I said, it’s a long season, so we’ll see what happens.

Q: In your mind, do you feel any reason to believe that you won’t still win this championship?

A: You know what? I’m just going to say that I have just as good a chance as about five other guys do. Right now, I think there’s about six of us who have got a shot at it. Anything can happen.

Q: Do you think that the balance of power in the 125 class has shifted to the West, as opposed to last year where the East was the tougher series?

A: No, last year I think that there were more good riders in the west, but the two best riders were in the East, in Roncada and Pastrana. With the exception of (Nathan) Ramsey and Brock, pretty much everyone is over here (now), so yeah, I think so.

Q: We’ll keep watching and hope to see you and KTM take your first title this year.

A: Yeah, thank you.

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