R450: So what do you like about the circuit that they have going on this year?
Doug: Well, they added a couple of new races, so now we have twelve. I really like that.

R450: You have a great pace set for the season, so what is your goal? What are you looking for this season?
Doug: I want the championship, I want it more than anything. I’m just focusing on finishing top three all of the time. I think that if I can finish in the top three every race then the championship will come to me.

R450: How do you like racing with your girlfriend? Is it a good situation?
Doug: Oh yeah, it’s great because if she didn’t race then she would be really bored because I don’t have the time to spend with her here. She has her own thing to do now and she loves to ride. I met her and she used to ride snowmobiles and a dirtbike. I got her on a four-wheeler and was like man you ride that good. You really ought to think about racing in the women’s class. I got her going and she loves it. It works out great.

R450: So are you both sponsored by Suzuki then?
Doug: No, she’s sponsored by a dealership. Nielson’s is my dealer and he’s helping her out. Then she’s sponsored with Yoshimura and ITP tires too.

R450: How do you like racing for Suzuki?
Doug: I love it! It has been my dream to become a factory rider. When they called me and wanted to sign me in this year, I was so stoked about it. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s happening, but with all of the Suzuki stuff around me it is sinking in.

R450: Well, they got a heck of a rider when they signed you on. So are you ready for them to make the 450?
Doug: Yes, definitely. I hope that they do it soon.

R450: There’re a lot of rumors flying around about the Suzuki 450. I’m sure you’ve got the inside line on that, but I’m sure you can’t tell anything.
Doug: Yeah, no I don’t know anything! (laughs)

R450: How about riding with Elka? What do you think of them?
Doug: They’re great, they build an awesome shock. I have Clark Jones from Noleen who is hired to be my suspension tuner. He does all of the tuning. Elka builds the shocks and he fine tunes them for me.

R450: So, you’ve got Yoshimura as a sponsor. They build your motor. How do you like Yoshimura.
Doug: It’s an awesome motor as you can see. That thing is going stronger than ever. Last year they had an awesome motor and I won the pro production class championship. They made me even more power this year. I’m getting about five or six more horses than last year and that is very impressive. They build an awesome motor.

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