One rider that has plenty of Motocross and Grand Prix experience is Bulgarian talent, Petar Petrov as he has been part of the GP paddock since he was fifteen years old when he burst on the GP scene with the SRS Honda team.
This year Petrov was a privateer and had a very old school setup in the GP paddock – a van and his Yamaha, as old school as it gets!
For 2024, Petrov hasn’t got any plans in the works yet but is determined to land a full time MXGP ride as things are very tough in the modern era as a privateer.
We caught up with him to discuss his season, riding as a privateer and more.
GateDrop: Petar, how would you describe this season has gone for you? You have raced the Dutch Masters and selected MXGP events – how was it putting everything in place for you to get to the races you did contest?
Petrov:Â The season was good, I think I made some good progress with my speed but I must say it was very stressful trying to get everything ready. I had some sponsors pulling out and was just very very stressful.
GateDrop: People say privateers aren’t welcome in the GP paddock anymore but I’d tell them to check out your setup in the paddock… Old school!
Petrov: (laughs) Yes, we had a very old school setup but it got the job done. All year it was just my mechanic and I so it was a lot of hard work and some very late nights.
GateDrop: You decided to make the switch to Yamaha again – what’s it like being back on the Yamaha but the 450cc?
Petrov: I love the bike, I think it’s been long time since I didn’t feel this comfortable on a bike. I did enjoy riding it even the 2022 model I like and the switch to the 2023 was easy and I love the bike.
GateDrop: Being a privateer fighting against the factory bikes, I imagine that is tough and especially with the level of MXGP! How have you found that?
Petrov: It’s not possible to fight against them, it’s just not realistic I think not only the bike difference but also organization practicing everything is so much easier when you are in a proper team. Riders have to worry only about riding and how to get better not when is this part arriving, will it arrive and much more and also with everything depending on electronics these days, it helps a lot being in a factory team.
GateDrop: I was quite surprised you made the long trip out to the Indonesia double header, how did you arrange that trip and how was the trip for you? You had your best ride of the season at Lombok…
Petrov:Â Well, I had some help from Infront Moto Racing with the free KG for the bikes and thankfully some sponsors stepped up and helped. It was a nice trip, I always enjoy the oversea races and we had some good results as well.
GateDrop: I believe you won’t be racing the final two MXGP reasons which is a shame, why is that? I am guessing the budget has ran out? Have you any other races on the calendar?
Petrov: Yes, the plan was never to do all the championship but after I did some good races I decided to give it a go at some more races but now it’s just we are running out of budget. I don’t want to put more pressure on myself, we did our best for sure with what we have and I am proud of what we did. For sure some results could have been better but that’s racing.
GateDrop: Just on 2024, have you got any plans yet? I guess you’d love an MXGP ride but just how hard is it for someone that’s not at the very front to get a ride these days? It seems super tough…
Petrov: The goal is for sure to get a full time MXGP ride. I think with a proper team I will be able to do good results. I am still motivated to show that I can do it, I hope I showed that I have still speed and that I can do good but yes it’s very difficult getting a ride at the moment. Unfortunately, it seems less less opportunities come and that’s just not good.
GateDrop: How many more years do you see yourself racing – is retirement on the cards anytime soon? Or perhaps just to focus on National racing instead?
Petrov: I am still very motivated and I feel like I have not reached the best of my 450cc career. I am 29 years old now so I am not young but I am also not old and I really want to keep fighting. But I think if an opportunity doesn’t come then I will call it a career because it’s just not worth it for me. For sure if a good opportunity comes for a national championship then I am up for it.
GateDrop: We saw lots of Europeans go and race some selected AMA Nationals this year and doing really well. Is that something you have considered or will consider in the future?
Petrov: Yes I thought about it and why not? But I’ve not made any plans, for sure I would like to do a few AMA Nationals one day but we will have to see.
GateDrop: You are a Dad now, what is it like away from the track being a father and a family man now?
Petrov: I love it, it’s a lot fun and just joy having my daughter at the races. It also gives me that extra motivation and it’s just nice for her also to see what her dad does for living.
GateDrop: You’ve had a few trips to Northern Ireland to do some coaching days with the Meara’s, what have those been like? Perhaps in the future you could become a coach to stay in the sport? Also, is there any chance you could do an Ulster/Irish round next year?
Petrov: Yes, I’ve had a few trips to Ireland and I love it. Jason and I enjoy doing it and we have some more trips planned. I would love to stay in the sport and I think I have a lot experience. I’ve been 14 years in the GP paddock and hopefully a few more (laughs). But yes, I enjoy working with other riders and seeing the improvements they make, hopefully I can help them not make the mistakes I’ve made and get the best out of them.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Images: Nigel McKinstry
