Down Under driving sensation Dexter Dunn has announced that he will be taking his skills to North America in hopes to compete against the best reinsmen the continent has to offer.
The 2015 World Driving Champion made the announcement on today’s edition (Wednesday, May 23) of the The Box Seat show Down Under. He indicated that it will be a short-term move for the time being, but that he will play it by ear and see what happens.
“It’s been seven years since I had a three-month stint in America,” Dunn said. “The opportunity has come up for me to head over and spend the winter (New Zealand’s winter – June to September) over there and see where it takes me after that.”
Dunn has said in the past that it’s hard to make the jump without support. Dunn feels that he has enough backing at this point to test the waters and see how things shake out.
“I’ve been pretty lucky to have Chris Ryder backing me and helping me get over there and giving me a bit of a leg up, so it’s a challenge that I’m really looking forward to, especially skipping across this winter won’t be so bad,” said Dunn.
Later in the interview, Dunn went on to say, “I’ll probably get a good idea of how it’ll go over there with this trip and see where driving in America can take me maybe in the future. I’ve got a lot more connections since the last time I was over there. I know a lot of the drivers, obviously, and I know a lot of the trainers, as well, so hopefully I’ll get a good idea of how I’m going to fit in over there with this trip and see what the future holds. I still love the racing here (in New Zealand) and I hope to be back in time to get ready for the Cup Carnival (in November). It’s an experimental period, but one that could lead to future visits or maybe being there permanently.”
(Dunn’s comments begin at roughly the 15-minute mark -- please allow the video to load)
Dunn is well aware that drivers are currently aligning themselves with potential Breeders Crown participants. He knows he is currently behind the eight ball in regard to that process, but given his credentials and aptitude in the race bike, he is hoping that he finds some Breeders Crown drives.
“I’d be really surprised if I went over there and landed a decent horse that would be for the Breeders Crown this year,” Dunn said. “The two and three-year-olds have been stepping out over the past month and they get snatched up pretty quickly. It’s not like I’m going to be there hoping that won’t happen (secure potential Breeders Crown drives), but you never know, I’ll have to wait and see. It’s one of those things – I’m going to be going over there and there is (currently) no finish date as to when I’m coming back… wait and see, I guess, and hope for the best.”
Dunn wanted to make it clear that he is not turning his back on the New Zealand racing scene, but explained that the North America trip is one that he must take.
“I still love the racing here, and I’ve had a great season numbers-wise, but I’m always looking for that new challenge and new test, I guess you could say. I know going over there (that) it’s going to be extremely hard [there is an abundance of talented drivers]. It’s not going to be easy work, but it’s something that I look forward to. The challenge of it is going to be exciting. I really want to get down to business once I get over there and do my best.”
(With files from The Box Seat)
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