MARMONT STEPS ASIDE
Words Scott Bishop
After a 15 year professional career that has seen him race at the highest levels around the world, Jay Marmont recently announced that season 2014 would be his last as a professional racer. His career stats stack up against anyone’s with four MX National championships, three Supercross Championships, represented Australia in the MXoN and a factory ride in the US. It has been an amazing career.
For Jay, it has never come easy. He admits he isn’t the most talented or graceful on a dirt bike and his results have come from sheer determination and hard work. I liken him to Leyton Hewitt in tennis but without the dodgy haircuts along the way. Like Leyton, every victory Jay has had has come with a huge emotional investment that has gone all the way to the final race. Every championship he has earned has come the hard way and that takes a massive toll so for Jay to last as long as he has and been successful as he has speaks volumes for his character.
I was still racing when Jay first come to senior racing. I remember him as a shy and also timid guy on a KX125 who had a bit of speed but took his time finding his feet in professional racing. Once he understood the work ethic and dedication required to race at a professional level, he was away.
The decision to retire is always tough and Jay has made the call at the right time. He has been a great ambassador for motocross in Australia and now he can move on with the rest of his life with the memories that only motocross can provide.
ROOST
Can I tell you the one that has changed in the time since I stopped racing? The size of roost a modern bike makes. Most of the riding I do these days is just out cruising around or doing pictures so generally I’m not following anyone. Now I know why. The roost from a modern 450 is big enough to blast holes in me and dam it hurts when it slams into you. I forgot how much it hurt and why I should never follow any rider, regardless of skill, on a 450.
So, my question is, if we can make an electric bike that doesn’t make any noise, can we make a tyre that doesn’t throw roost yet still works? If so, I’m all on board! Maybe we could look at a speedway style mudflap bolted to the rear to smoother the roost and it must be ran on all riders bikes over the age of 30 as roost is an old man issue. Until then, I will be either one of two guys you see at your local track. The guy that never follows anyone or gets within a 50 metre radius of another rider, or the guy with 13 sets of body armour on and dressed like Ned Kelly going to rob a bank.
INNOVATIVE IDEAS
Speaking of new ideas, if you go to the MX Nationals, you will see all the race teams run a compressor to blow off and dry bikes after washing between each race. It is a handy thing to have and makes life a little easier. But, what do you do when you don’t have a truck or compressor? You break out the garden Blow-Vac.
I first saw someone use it a while back and had a little giggle to myself. Now, it appears to be catching on and the Blow- Vacs are gaining popularity in the pits. I saw one guy fire his up recently, stand back and hit the bike with a tornado of wind that dried his bike, car and blew his pit tent down the road. That is serious bike drying power.
So, it makes you wonder what other house hold items come in handy for motocross. I’m sure we have all tried to stick a few airfilters in the washing machine or dryer and that usually goes well until the Mrs finds out after the smell of petrol /kerosene / filter oil and a few lumps of grease are found in her clothes than it all turns to tears.
People have used roof bats for muffler packing, reverse vacuum cleaners for blowing up tyres, garden hose for fuel line, fence wire to hold grips on, so let’s get your household items that make life easier. Send them in to Dirt Action and spread the knowledge.
JUMPS
It was good to see the big ‘drunks’ hill jump at Conondale back in action and the riders hitting the leap with consistency and style. Australian tracks have lacked good, fun, safe jumps that bring people to the fences for some time now and the ‘drunks leap’ at Conondale provided that and well done to the riders who put on a bit of a show for the fans. Most of the riders doing it practice got it a little sideways but Dylan Long was into it every lap he hit it and Adam Monea didn’t mind hanging of it in the races. Good work boys!
Let’s hope a few more track can build some big yet safe jumps and it can help attract a few more people to the races and give them something to go home raving about.
