Photo by: Chase Yocom
These “Privateer Showcase” interviews presented by Race Tech Suspension at MotoXAddicts tell the stories of the guys in the trenches week in and week out trying to chase their dream of racing professional motocross and Supercross. While the riders at the front of the pack get the money, the T.V. time and the glory that goes with it, there’s a huge pack of guys just hoping to get a spot inside a factory semi. We tell their stories.
This week’s “Privateer Showcase” is with the former MXGP Motocross World Championship rider and the current Maxxis ACU British Motocross MX1 Championship leader, Jake Nichols. Back where Jake is from in England, he rides for the Buildbase / Honda team, but for his North American moto vacation, Jake has been on borrowed privateer equipment—and he has put up some incredible results all things considered. Jake’s North American adventure started with him finishing on the podium with a 3rd overall at round two of the Canadian Motocross National at Popkum. Then he headed south, borrowed another bike and showed up for the 2018 RedBud National a week ago.
Jake hoped to put himself into contention for a spot on Team Great Britain’s 2018 MXoN team by doing well at the Redbud National, and on his borrowed Honda he went 9-13 for 10th overall in the 450 class. His 13th in moto two was despite a bad start and a crash, so the Brit definitely did himself proud. Whether or not he makes the MXoN team is still a waiting game, but with Shaun Simpson, Tommy Searle and Max Anstie all struggling in 2018, this 10th overall at the track the MXoN will be raced on has definitely put Jake in contention for a spot.
After Jake’s RedBud experience was in the history books, Chase Yocom tracked him down to talk about his racing experience in North America.
Jake, 2018 was your first time ever at RedBud and you had a pretty good day. Can you talk about your day?
Yeah, it was good. Qualifying was pretty good. I think I was 12th or 14th when it was combined. I didn’t jump Larocco’s Leap, so it was a bit like before the race I was, “Oh man, I’m going to have to do it. I’ve got to do this.” So I did it on the sighting lap. (laughs)
How was that? Did you get puckered up a little bit? (laughs)
Yeah, big time! I was, “Woah, I got that out of the way!” In the first race, I got a really good start, but I got caught up with Marvin [Musquin] when he crashed. I dropped back and then I came through to 9th. I rode pretty strong. I was right on [Weston] Peick at the end of the race, so that was good. I dug quite deep because I got a little hot near the end of the race. The second moto was going quite good. I got into 9th after not making a good start, but then I had a little crash. Not bad, but enough that I had to pick my bike up and start it. I kind of really lost my rhythm and just survived after that and got 13th, which was enough for 10th overall so I’m really pleased.
What did you think of the track? It looked pretty rough this year.
It was really rough! Coming into this year’s race, I watched previous years over and over, and it always looked like it was quite bermy. It looked quite fast and flowy, but it was really rutty and the ruts were quite start and stop ruts. You couldn’t just sort of lay into them. The ground was quite heavy. It was good, but some bits weren’t too fun like the muddy right hander with the black soil. It was weird and that was not that much fun to be fair. It wasn’t too bad and the off-cambers never got good. There was never really a line in them. The Larocco’s Leap side of the track was awesome. That’s like what I’m used to: sandy, but not really deep sand. I’m so pleased to have come. I’ve watched it for years and years—I’m 28 now—and to get to race here is cool.
What do you feel the biggest difference is between the AMA and the GP’s? Now that you’ve had this RedBud experience, is it track prep or what do you think?
The tracks are prepped better [in AMA]. They work it way more. They put water down constantly and they fix the jumps. Whereas at the GP’s, they never fucking fix the jumps and it just gets dangerous. The difference is, on Saturday, we’d be washing the bikes and getting ready for tomorrow and we’d have two thirty-minute races the next day. Physically, it’s a lot more in the GP’s because you travel—like you guys do—but you do two full days of riding. It’s like three hours on the bike and then you go home. It’s tougher from that side, but this was rough.
I would think you would like the GP’s more after coming here because you have a lot more time on the track beforehand to learn the tracks.
I don’t; I prefer this. I’m always one of the guys that learns the tracks quicker, so this is so much better. You can get on, go home and drive back to Canada, in my case. I prefer this schedule way more. I learn the tracks quick, so it’s good for me to just have that little amount of time. I really like it.
You did a Canadian MX National while in North America as well. How would you compare this to racing up in Canada?
The track I rode in Canada was almost like a Washougal. It was hard, slick, fast and in the woods kind of around out near the West Coast. It was a lot different, but the schedule was exactly the same. It was actually good that I had done that one already so I was used to the schedule already. Obviously the level is a little less there, but there’s still like seven really good guys there. I went 6-2 there, so it’s all relative. There’s like seven or eight more good guys here, but hopefully I do another one there soon.
I listened to your PulpMX interview last week and you said your aspirations to win a World Championship are over now. How cool has it been just traveling around and racing in different series’ that you have never raced before with with a lot less pressure on you?
It’s awesome! I work full-time when I’m at home. For me now, racing is fun. Don’t get me wrong. I get money from it and I’m the number one rider in England [British Championship], but it’s not my primary thing. We have a good strong family business, so for me it’s like fun. It’s made it so much easier to race like that. You’re not like, I gotta get a ride for next year. It’s more like, well, I did my best. I’ve got it now where I’ve already agreed to my ride for next year in England, but if I didn’t get it I’d buy the same bikes, have the same suspension guy, so I wouldn’t change anything. It’s cool and being able to do stuff like this is awesome.
I won’t take any more of your time, but we appreciate it. We’re glad you came over here. It’s always cool to see new guys over here. You rode well, and congratulations on your top 10 finish.
Thank you very much.
