THE JACK ATTACK | Bikesportnz

He’s Jack of two trades and master of both.

Kaukapakapa’s Josh Jack likes to get the most out of his motorcycle racing and, although his Colemans-sponsored Suzuki RM125 never complains, it was certainly a brutal weekend just gone for the 17-year-old apprentice builder.

Not only did he drive four hours south of his home to line up to race at round two of the New Zealand Enduro Championships at Kawhia, but he then also drove five hours across the country to line up and race at the 50th annual Woodville Motocross the following day.

Thankfully, the teenager had his biggest support, his father Andy, to share some of the workload.

Andy Jack remained behind after the enduro to clean and service the bike and change it over from enduro to motocross specifications before he too headed down to Woodville.

“I got to the Manawatu at about 11pm Saturday night and, after dad had cleaned the bike and taken off the hand-guards, bash-plate and headlight, he arrived about an hour later,” said Josh Jack.

Battling the nation’s enduro elite, many of them on 450cc and 250cc bikes, Jack took his BikesportNZ.com Suzuki RM125 to a creditable 13th overall at the enduro champs on Saturday, good enough to finish second overall in his under-200cc two-stroke division, then raced to an amazing fifth overall in the 125GP class at Woodville.

Jack showed incredible pace at Woodville, racing through the field to finish fifth and third in his two outings, finishing the day just two points off a share of third place overall.

“I’m really enjoying my riding at the moment. I had only done a couple of enduros before Saturday, so it was a bit of a learning experience for me still, but I’m on target to finish among the top three in my class for the nationals.

“I felt I could have done better at Woodville, but I was just too tired to give it any more. I didn’t have any energy left. I was moving through the field though and if there had been a few more laps …

“I’m building towards the motocross nationals now, where I will race the under-21 125cc class.”

Round one of that series is set for just outside Timaru in a fortnight (February 20). On current form, Jack will be one of the 125cc class title favourites, along with Waitakere’s Ethan Martens (Yamaha), Tauranga’s Scott Barr-Smith (KTM) and Suzuki pair Dion Picard (of Atiamuri) and Tom Managh (of Wanganui).

“I’m heading to Europe to race later in the year too. We leave in August and I will race the World Junior Motocross Championships in Italy, then a few rounds of the British Motocross Championship rounds and possibly other events too.

“I have good sponsorship from Suzuki NZ, Colemans, BikesportNZ.com, Novus, Bridgestone, MotoSR, Graphic Creation, Motul and Fox but I do need more assistance because I will be over there for about six weeks.”

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