MotoAmerica: Exclusive interview with Nate Minster
Nate Minster is riding for the Pure Attitude Racing team in MotoAmerica Supersport.
Nate Minster is a young rider brimming with talent riding for the Pure Attitude Racing Team in the MotoAmerica Supersport class this year and has his sights set on big things.
What was it which originally got you into racing?
My dad actually road raced in the 90’s so when I was around 4 years old he started me on a TTR 50 and I ended up really liking it and stuck with it, I moved up all the levels and classes doing motocross and flat track before my dad suggested switching to a Supermoto.
I started Supermoto racing and hit the age of 12 when he bought me a KTM RC390 cup bike and I raced that for two years before going to New Jersey for the first time with MotoAmerica at 14 with the idea of staying in the series and working my way up. I eventually moved up to the Supersport class on a Yamaha R6 and I am loving it.
Away from the track what is your favourite way to spend your time?
I am a very athletic kid. I am a senior in public high school, I play hockey and golf but the hockey season recently ended so currently I am doing golf which will go for two months.
I really enjoy hanging out with my friends, riding dirt bikes and training.
How did the opportunity with Pure Attitude Racing come about?
I rode with the N2 Track Days team last year but I had known Trevor (Standish) since the RC Cup days and we got close to them during that time. Trevor’s dad was talking about doing a team (Pure Attitude Racing) with our truck driver last year, then Michael Hill got involved and they all came together and contacted me and my dad last year about racing for them this year.
It was an easy decision for me, I didn’t see it coming and didn’t think they would do a full team this year and I am really happy they picked me to race for them.
You finished in an impressive P7 overall last year in MotoAmerica Supersport, do you think a title charge is on the cards this year?
I wanna say yes, but it won’t be easy, we are going to have to work really hard this year to get into the top three and stay consistently in the top 5. It is definitely a challenge for this year and I am excited to try and achieve it, that’s what we are aiming for.
Last year your race record was stunning finishing the season with only one DNF, how do you manage pressure during a race to limit crashes?
Honestly, I have always been a rider who rides safely without sounding cocky, I like to be consistent and it’s what my dad taught me since day one. Smooth is fast and if I can be consistently strong then it’ll benefit me when I am in those high-pressure situations, when the pressure is up the guys in front of me will crash because they are pushing with each other.
Staying with the top group but being smart and waiting it out until the last few laps to make a move is much better as you are calmer and have more to give in those last laps to overtake, it’s the best place to be.
At 18 years old you still have a lot of time to progress in the series and your career, do you see yourself racing in Europe/the world championship in the future?
Absolutely yes, if I had the chance to do that it would be awesome, it’s much more competitive over there. It would be super cool to do that.
Does seeing the success of Gerloff, Beaubier and Roberts motivate you?
It’s amazing to see the American boys racing against the fastest riders in the world, it’s definitely motivating to see American riders over there and shows us that it’s possible for us to be over there in Europe and the World Championship.
Last but not least, what do you think would be a successful season in your eyes?
Well, I would like to promote Pure Attitude Racing as much as possible and keep the team alive in MotoAmerica, I want to get their name out there and show that the team is no joke and that we are in it to win it.
I want podiums this year and maybe some wins also but we have to work with what we have and push to do the best we can do, I don’t want to be too cocky but I want to work my way up to the top. Last year we made some good steps to work towards the top so hopefully we can arrive there.
Featured images – brianjnelson.com
