Charlie Ham

Danny Ham’s Q & A session, dubbed Charlie Ham, is where former Aussie MX and SX champ, Danny “Hammy” Ham, answers your questions with the abrupt, matter-of-fact manner he’s renowned for. Hammy will appear on Transmoto every fortnight, so if you want your questions answered put a comment below or send them to online@transmoto.com.au and you could get advice from a Pro Rider.

Q: Hammy, great to see you getting involved with a dirt bike magazine. You did a great job with the Super X commentary for TV last year and, to tell you the truth, I’m surprised you haven’t got involved with testing or writing for a magazine years ago. What are your plans with Transmoto? I’ve seen a couple of cool vids you’ve put together for their site, too.

A: Thanks buddy for the kind words for Super X. Hoges and I really enjoy, and get into our jobs. We sometimes get carried away, but we feel the viewers love our enthusiasm. With the Super X starting on October 16, in Newcastle, we’re just a little excited! So Transmoto. Well I’ve had a long involvement with the guys in other areas, so when the opportunity came up I jumped at it. I’ll be doing various small tasks with the mag – testing new bikes is always a whole lot of fun. I also work on a small amount of videos heading on the website — you guys see the 2011 KTM launch video, that was mine.

Q: I remember your name from way back in the mid-’90s when I saw you in one of the early days dirt bike videos – I think it was Terrafirma or even the first Crusty. And then I saw on the web that you made a comeback to the MX Nats this year. How does a bloke’s body tolerate so much abuse for so long? Mine folded after a decade of racing. And do you think you can still be competitive at age … well, how old are you now?

A: Well Simon, my body does not like the situation much either, continually protesting my love for the sport. And my age doesn’t matter; I’ll always be around at a race, trying to have a ride. I did do a few National races this year; it was just for fun, so it wasn’t taken too seriously – some might have seen my prep between the two rounds at Coolum, you’ll know what I mean. But I did get a few half decent results – top 15 and even a seventh. Not bad, considering how little training and practice I did. I’ve now got a new respect for Privateers! Man it was hard trying to work, then train. Most of the time it resulted in finding a couch…

Q: Tell us a bit more about what goes on behind the scenes at the Super X. My friends and me all watch you and Lee Hogan do the commentary, and we reckon it must be pretty hectic because it’s a live broadcast. How do you not swear and avoid saying something really negative about a rider?

A: Our first live broadcast was really hectic, and massively nerve racking; both Lee and I were sweating before the show even started. But now it is a little easier. Here’s a quick run down of a standard Super X night. We watch the practice sessions, and studying who could be the story of the night. Then get a few notes down, have a meeting with the directors and promoters, and record our intro for the night’s event. From there it’s full on until the end of the show. Toilet breaks are when the ads are on — not that easy when the public has already filled them! Plus, it’s quite challenging to speak the necessary info to the viewers, listen to the director with your left ear, listen to your co-commentator in your right ear and remember not to offend anyone, all at the same time! It takes some serious getting used to.

Q: At the moment I get my bike around on a trailer, but I’ve just moved out of Mum and Dad’s place in the ‘burbs to a unit in town with my girl, and it only has one car space. By the time my dirt bike, roadie and girlfriend’s Hyundai are squeezed into the garage, there’s no space for my trailer. I’ve decided to trade the trusty Commodore in, so my question is, does the cool-factor of a ute outweigh the practicality of a van? Or are vans with 26″ rims the in-thing these days?

A: Trailers can be a pain. The bigger question is, why does a Hyundai even need a shed space? I guess you have to ask yourself what path you need to head down? Are you all about your look and image, or are you serious about your riding? With the rate bikes are being knocked off these days you might find yours stolen out of your Ute by the time you walk into pay for fuel at the local servo. On the other hand, a lowered van with 26″ rims really doesn’t get you into many MX tracks these days. So what you really need is an old 1990 model Hi-Ace – never rallied, never rolled (twice) and only 690,000km on the odometer. Now that I think of it, I got one I could sell you…good price too!