Jack Simpson: Meet The Athlete

Basics

Name: Jack Simpson
Age: 20
Team: Peter Stevens KTM
Height: 173cm (5’9”)
Weight: 72kg
Relationship status: Single
Kids: None
Music: Melbourne bangers, 50 Cent, The Amity Affliction
Crew: Dad, family and friends

Questions

If I didn’t race dirt bikes professionally, I’d probably be…
An earthmoving contractor or cricket player. Or drag racing cars.

Three things people don’t know about me are…
I’m into photography and film. I build drag cars. I ride Harleys.

The best thing about being a Shift/Fox athlete is…
Loyalty. I have been with Shift and Fox for 10 years and not once have I had a problem with any of the gear. It looks the part and performs great in the terrain I race.

My most memorable race was…
I won the first round of the 2013 MX Nationals in the Under 19s class after having a year off from two knee reconstructions. That’s my highlight.

My fiercest rivalry was/is and why…
Back when I raced motocross, it was Jed Beaton. Now, in the off-roads, it’s the clock because that never lies.

If I was a series promoter, the first thing I’d do is…
Make it like the American MX series’ set-up, where you make money to qualify. Over here in the MX Nats, you don’t get a cent to win the day – even in the premier 450cc class. I would give more back to the riders because they’re who bring the circus to town.

I escape from the grind of training and racing by…
Riding my Harley with the boys on Beach Road while having a perv at the chicks. Going to drag meetings and hanging out with mates.

I’m obsessed about…
Horsepower and anything that goes fast and gives me a thrill.

Don’t even start me about…
Pokémon!

FEATURED RIDER

So, where did Jack Simpson come from? And how the hell has he managed to mix it with the AORC’s world-class frontrunners in his first full season racing the national off-road series? The kid’s not one to pump his own tyres, but if you sit down with him for a chat, you realise his off-road riding history pre-dates his success on the national motocross series.

Check out Andy Wigan’s interview with the young Victorian in Transmoto’s September-October digital FlipMag (issue #58), released later this month.