Five Minutes with Josh Strang

Digital Offroad

With the 2013 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series kicking off this weekend in Florida, we figured now would be the perfect time to check in with Australian competitor, Josh Strang. The former GNCC Champion will be looking to claim victory again this year on board his all-new Kawasaki KX450F, racing for his own Privateer team – Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Racing.

First up Josh, tell us a little about who you’ll be racing for in season 2013?
This year, I’ve created my own team – Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Racing. I’ve purchased my own transport and a pit setup, organised all of my own sponsors and I’ll now be paying for my own bikes. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, my official title sponsor, is a big online store over here in America, and they support the GNCC a fair bit. Dubach Racing Development will be supporting me as an exhaust sponsor, and Amsoil and Maxxis will be helping me out with funding, too. Amsoil just became title sponsor of GNCC to, so that works out well.

And how did all of that come about?
This whole deal came together at the very last minute! Jimmy Jarrett will be my mechanic, and it will be just the two of us at the races this year, so it’s going to be very different.

Will you be racing any other events besides the GNCC?
Maybe some motocross throughout the summer, although I’d like to get home and do some racing there if possible, too.

Speaking of home, you played a large role in Australia claiming second Overall at last year’s International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). You’ll be looking to do that again this year, right?
Yeah, I had a blast at the ISDE last year. I plan on going again this year – I just hope that I can organise a bike to ride over there. The life of a Privateer, eh?

Tell us a little bit about the rest of your 2012 season.
Well after the ISDE I came straight back to America. The WORCS series was over and my leg was giving me a few problems, so I had surgery to remove a rod that was in there. I basically recovered from that and started working on my plans for season 2013. I was planning to head home around Christmas, but I had a couple of deals pulled out from under me at the last minute, so I had to stay here and get everything off the ground. This year will be tough money-wise, but we’ll make it through!

You won the GNCC XC1 Championship in 2010 on board a Suzuki. How do you feel about the Kawasaki KX450F you’ll be racing this year?
After a few of my personal deals fell through, I was able to ride whatever bike I wanted. I rode all four Japanese bikes and the KX and RM were the best bikes for me. I chose the green bike because they have contingency in GNCC, and there was also a chance that I’d be able to gain a bit of support through Kawasaki. That didn’t happen so I’ll be buying my own bikes this year, but I’m happy with my choice, and I really like the bike. Bring it on.

Cheers, Josh. All the best for the season ahead.
Thanks, mate!