Simmering Simpson set to boil at the 2016 Yamaha A4DE
All moto eyes are on the 2016 Yamaha Australian Four Days Enduro commencing this Monday the 14th November in Mansfield Victoria, and we caught up with ‘Simmering’ Jack Simpson this morning on his final preparations for the massive Off-Road event next week.
In what is set to be an all-out battle for the podium across the classes and as the final countdown begins to the start of A4DE, Australia’s Jack Simpson has already made a splash in his first year racing in Off-Road, the new kid on the block won the 2016 Championship E1 class outright.
An incredible debut feat for anyone to achieve. Now, the privateer KTM 250cc rider is gunning to finish first in class and to be placed with in the top three outright at the 2016 Yamaha Four Days Enduro. “That’s what I’m planning on doing anyway” commented a single minded A4DE Simpson.
We asked Jack how prepared he was for the event given that next weeks’ meet in Merrijig will be his first ever four day. “Well, I’ve just returned from the ISDE in Spain, so I don’t think my preparation could get any better! I am feeling really good about it all really” Simpson exclaimed.
Not one to be moved by the competition, a confident yet cautious Simpson said; “I’ve raced against all the boys before, we are all friends behind the scenes and I know roughly where I stand with them. I’m not worried one bit.
“The KTM is running extremely well and ready to rumble. It’s been freshly rebuilt from the ground up and ready to take on four days of punishment. I will certainly be throwing everything I’ve got at it!”
Whilst sighting the Merrijig area today, Jack is excited that the prologue track is essentially a motocross track. “I think I will thrive in the fast technical sections where you need to be a bit fearless and take risks, and that’s what I’m willing to do” he added.
‘Fearless’ seems to be the the key word that is woven into Jack Simpson’s DNA. Overcoming several injuries that halted his progression on the bike a few years ago, the youngster is clearly trying to make up for lost time by becoming a real tour de force for the other competitors in his class.
Keep up to date with the latest action coming out of Mansfield next week, on the 2016 Yamaha A4DE by heading to the Motorcycling Australia website, liking the AORC Facebook page and following @aorc_ on Instagram.
Image – John Hamilton/Mad Dog Images – pictured Jack Simpson at 2016 ISDE Spain