FMX Insider No.49: Jake Holloway

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

Last year at the Australian Speed & Style Championships, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a long-haired, whisky drinking dirt-bike rider named Jake Holloway. I could tell he was a style-cat from the beginning; throwing down smooth turndown whips and perfectly extended grab tricks. The dirt-bike punk has had a few ups and downs this year with injuries, but his riding is always progressing. He’s back on the bike now and going strong with big plans for the rest of the year. I caught up with Jake this week to snap a few photos and talk about riding.

Ben: How long have you been riding FMX? Were you a racer in the beginning?
Jake: I have been riding my whole life but I have been riding freestyle for about five years now. Growing up with two brothers I didn’t get the chance to race back when I was younger, so once I was working and earning money and with the help of Brody Cassidy egging me on, I gave it a shot and I loved it!

Why did you take up FMX and what got you stoked?
I was always a BMX kid when I was younger, so I think they both kind of go hand-in-hand. My older brother got into FMX many years before me, so he helped me learn how to ride freestyle and watching old school Crusty Demons videos always got me stoked.

What was your riding scene like in Western Australia?
We used to have a good scene. I used to road trip up to Perth every weekend to ride at the Valyside compound with all the dudes killing it at that time. I would always be doing road trips up to Lancelin sand dunes with the boys but there isn’t much going on there anymore after the Narrogin Rev Heads FMX comp got shut down. So last year, I made the move over to NSW to keep riding and progressing.

You had a pretty nasty injury last year. Tell us about your road to recovery and return to riding.
I unfortunately had a traumatic brain injury at a comp last year after I tucked the front end and slammed into the ground quite hard. The recovery was long and stressful. I travelled back to Western Australia to my family, trying to get my balance and reflexes back to normal, going to the doctor every week and the physio twice a week. I thought about giving up riding for good but I love riding my bike so I worked hard. I came back to NSW and with the help of Truman Carroll I got back on my feet and sessioned out at his place a lot.

How are the Backflips going? You pulled a few around earlier in the year. 
I had them going good and was spinning a lot of them off 55ft and managed to get Nac-Nac and No Footer Flips dialled but recently came a little unstuck and had a little spill. I plan on taking them to 75ft and working on more Flip tricks soon.

What do you think the Australian FMX scene needs more of?
Personally I think it needs more comps as it sucks to see everything fall off and not continue. The jams that Fish Fingered FMX put on besides the SAFMX are close to the only thing up-and-comers have to strive for.

I see you have a close relationship with WWHC News Anchor, ‘Nolan Burns’?
Yeah (laughs). Me and Nolan Burns have shared a few stories over the time. He is a wild dude! If he’s not reporting the news, you will find him causing all sorts of mischief; whether it be a ripping a skid, downing a beer bong, or throwing a massive whip, he’s always down on getting wild.

What’s your favourite moto movie?
I’d probably say Ronnie Fiasst’s Mentally Twisted is right up there, and I’m a fan of all the old school freestyle movies, like Crusty Demons.

Who do you look up to in FMX, and who is your biggest mentor/inspiration?
Tough one. Probably my buddy Rob Adelberg. His riding says it all. Clean style, big tricks and not afraid to send it. He has definitely helped me progress and work on my style a lot.

What sort of music gets you pumped on riding?
I’m a huge fan of music! I usually listen to a bit of hardcore/metal to get me pumped. I’ve been listening to a lot of Atreyu, In Hearts Wake and Alexis On Fire lately.

What’s riding about for you?
It’s about having fun with your buddies, having a jam, learning new things, having your own style and enjoying a laugh. It’s no one telling you what to do, and how to do things. It’s just having fun, and pushing yourself to how far you think is possible.

You’ve been riding Freestyle Kings shows and have recently picked up a huge China deal. Tell us all about that!
Recently I got contacted by Freestyle Kings to come do some shows and got offered a China deal which I accepted. So I am going to be off to China for the next six months riding. Pretty excited for the adventure and stoked to be doing it with a few guys like Daniel Ford, Zac Mackenzie and Jayo Archer.

Thanks for you time, mate.
Thank you, and thanks to DV Threads, Freestyle Kings, City Coast Motorcycles, Fishfingered FMX, Heidrich Films, Jackson Strong, Rob Adelberg and Truman Carroll for all the help over the last year.