FMX INSIDER No.44: DANIEL FORD INTERVIEW

Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the FMX Insider, penned by Ben Heidrich.

Far away in the land of Western Australia the FMX scene is still alive. But with the cancellation of ‘Narrogin Rev Heads’, there is a lack of major competitions, making it hard for riders to get noticed. I caught up with West Oz FMX rider Daniel Ford to talk about the scene and his comeback from injury.

BH: Why did you get into riding FMX?
DF: It kind of just happened I think, haha. I was one of those kids that would just launch his dirt bike off anything I could. As soon as I found out it was an actual sport, I stuck to it.

You’ve had a bit of time off the bike recently. What happened? How long were you off for?
Man, that sucked. I was off the bike for about nine months due to a grade 5 AC separation in my left shoulder. It was the worst pain I’ve felt in a long time. The car ride to the hospital was brutal, and on top of that they wouldn’t give me pain killers. I’m definitely not in a rush to try mini-flips again haha.

I see you’re back at it again and riding well. How’s everything going?
Riding is okay, but I’m struggling to stay on the bike every weekend due to not having a licence. When I do ride, though, it’s good. After nine months off, you tend to be a bit rusty.

What’s happening in the WA scene at the moment? Who have you been riding with?
There’s a scene? Haha, not much man; it’s pretty dead over here – no comps or events going on. You get the odd demo but it’s pretty chilled here. I’ve been riding with Ben Hayze and Will Laymond a lot there – the only boys that are nice enough to come pick my arse up while I’m not driving. It’s good to have mates like that.

How are the Backflips going? Have you been working on any flip tricks?
Going good, man. The bike seems to come around pretty easy now days. I attempted seat-grab flips the last time I rode and they didn’t really work for me. But after speaking to Truman, hopefully I’ve worked out what I was doing wrong. I really need to get a good set of flip levers too so I can stop stressing and focus on the tricks!

What is your favourite up right trick and why?
Obviously a Ruler Indy! I get butterflies in my stomach when my foot hits that front fender. I love swinging the bike out from under me. It feels gnarly.

I have seen photos of you shredding on the BMX. Do you enjoy riding pushies just as much as dirt bikes?
I hardly shred, but … yeah man, I love riding my pushy. I’m at the skatepark nearly every day either talking shit or riding bikes. FMX and BMX are the same to me, they’re both up there with eating and breathing. I love the BMX style of riding, I try to work that style into my FMX tricks and style of riding.

You have ridden a few FMX comps over the years. Which event has been your favourite?
The Rockhampton AUFMXC round a few years ago. I had a killer time riding, met some good dudes and the afterparty was just crazy. Tyrone Gilks obviously made that a memorable time. I don’t think I stopped laughing the whole time he was around. Even though the hotel room cost me $1700 dollars to fix!

What would you like to see more of in the Australian FMX scene?
More competitions in Western Australia! Being an apprentice again and having next to no savings, it makes it hard to get to comps over east. Not to mention the whole no licence thing again. I’m petty lucky that Jetpilot helps me out with flights, depending on the event.

Have you got any plans for the rest of the year?
I just want to get back over to Wagga Wagga and catch up with the homies. I want to have a good few weeks of riding before I run out of money and have to go back to work. But for this year, that’s about it – stay down and try learn something new.