[Features]

FMX Insider No.17: Joel Brown Interview

10 years ago | Words: Ben Heidrich | Photos: Ash Will/Aussie Adrenaline

Welcome to our brand new weekly web-exclusive column, Transmoto‘s FMX Insider. Penned each week by South Australian rider, Ben Heidrich, the FMX Insider will present the story-behind-the-stories of the Aussie and international freestyle motocross scenes. 

Australia is known for producing amazing freestyle motocross riders – we have some of the most talented and professional athletes in the world. A rider that has always stood out to me for putting in 100% on the bike is Joel Brown. The 28-year-old from Griffith, NSW has been putting in work over the last few years, winning Australian championships and travelling overseas for demonstrations and competitions. I caught up with Joel for a chat about his thriving FMX career.

Ben: So Joel, how long have you been riding bikes?

Joel: My first bike was a little peewee 50 that I rode straight into the back of the family house and not much has changed since then (laughs). I rode a little bit as a kid but I was also into athletics, representing NSW at a national level in the AIS in Canberra. I had offers for athletic scholarships but it wasn’t really my thing. I got back into bikes when I was eleven, racing the Australian dirt track series for a few years and winning a Victorian championship in my last year of Seniors. In between racing I would change my bike for FMX and go jump with my mates. I guess that’s where my love of freestyle started and I haven’t looked back since!

joel7

What has your involvement been with the RFDmx/AFMXC Series? You have ridden the competition nearly every year…

I rode the first series in 2007, hosting a round at my local jumps. I won the series in 2007 and also in 2008. In 2009 I moved to Belgium with series organiser, Joel Rayner, to ride and train for the House of Dancing Water Production now running in Macau. I missed riding the series for a couple years after that, taking some time off riding. In 2011, I came back to ride the series and learnt a lot really quick. I thought my first event back would be a walk in the park, but with my time off, it gave the new faces of Australian FMX time to progress. It was a huge wake up call and something that drove me to push myself. Just seeing the level of riding the series had produced over the years was insane and a credit to the whole RFDmx/AFMXC series. In 2013 after a lot of hard work, I won my first championship and first RFDmx event since 2008.

You travel overseas regularly to ride. Can you tell me a bit about the competition scene overseas?

The scene overseas is great for me. Night of the Jumps has been my main overseas competitions over the last year or so. They run an amazing series – not only great for the riders, but also good for the fans. The pit parties bring the fans in for photos and autographs; it’s really great to see! It’s a competition, but it is run more like a show… I think that’s what keeps the people coming back for more.

joel8

How many times have you travelled overseas and where have you travelled to?

Over the last few years I have been travelling a lot more with riding. I fly to China and Dubia to ride shows for the ARD crew. I have also been to France, Costa Rica, Germany, Austria and New Zealand. It’s crazy to think I get to see all these places and get to jump my dirt bike when I get there. I’m very lucky to have these opportunities.

Have you had any serious injuries over the years of your career?

There has definitely been a few over the years. I’d say my biggest crash was when I was 19. I broke my right femur; compound fractured my left arm and completely shattered my left elbow. That was the only time I didn’t know if I wanted to ride again, but with the help of good friends, I found myself on the bike again and enjoying it. There have been more injuries since then. I’ve had a broken and compressed C7 vertebra in my neck, torn cartilage in my left knee, broken right heal, fractured right ankle, collar bone, wrists and my big toe (which hurt so much). I’ve also broken fingers, lacerated my right kidney and broken ribs. I still find myself looking back asking where I would be if I didn’t crash when I was 19. But at the same time I wouldn’t be who I am without all these injuries, as there is not one I haven’t learnt from.

joel2

What have you been up to so far this year?

This year started off well with two rounds at Night of the Jumps in Austria where I made it into the finals. When I got back to Australia, things didn’t really go to plan. While practicing I lacerated my right knee and then spent a week in hospital. After having four weeks off the bike, I was then off to China for a quick trip to ride the Kia Extreme Games. I also had a few shows in between competitions around Australia while trying to get in as much practice as I could for FIM Freestyle Of Nations in Germany.

What is your favorite thing about riding?

I think the friends I have made over the years, just from the love of riding dirt bikes.

joel4

Who is your biggest riding inspiration?

My parents and my fiancé are a huge inspiration on my life. With out them I wouldn’t be the rider I am today.

Do you have much planned for the rest of the year?

At this stage I still have a fair bit to do riding-wise and I have a bunch of shows and competitions coming up. I’m also working on a few new things to close out the year on a high; practice, practice, practice!

joel5

Cheers, Joel. Is there anything else you would like to add?

A huge thanks to my parents, fiancé and to all of my sponsors The Collective Family, Filtrate, Oneal, Fusion Electronics, Aussie Adrenaline, GrantCross Photo, Kirkman Motorcycles, MIA powder-coating and to the RFDmx crew and Liam. Thanks, guys.

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