By Hayley Wildes
Cranbourne off-road motorbike racer, Jack Simpson returned to the famed Finke Desert Race in 2018 on a mission.
After a heartbreaking 2017 attempt at the gruelling two-day round-trip race from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) Community, Simpson was determined to make a statement in 2018.
His 2017 Finke campaign ended before it even started. A major crash resulted in a broken back, punctured lung, three broken ribs and concussion.
“It was the Monday before the event – I didn’t make it to the race.” Simpson said. “I was so disappointed because I’d put so much effort in.”
The comeback from such injuries was a long one.
“It was really weird. I’ve done legs, arms, ACLs, knees, hamstrings and they were actually harder than the back because once I’d done that, it just needed time.” Simpson said.
“I couldn’t really do anything to heal it – I couldn’t do much physio or anything like that. All I did was pretty much rest for two months so the vertebrae could heal.”
Simpson also entered the event in 2016 – riding a smaller 250cc bike – finishing 11th in a great first-time effort.
This year Simpson entered on a 500cc KTM and after qualifying 15th, stormed up the rankings to finish day one in third. On day two, Simpson was again in the top three to finish third overall, behind Toby Price and David Walsh.
“This year it was a relief to do all the training, all the pre-running, getting everything up there and to do it as a privateer and conquer the race to finish third; it was a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders.” Simpson said.
The 229-kilometre each-way race is not for the faint-hearted, renowned as being one of the toughest races in the world. As well as racing at speeds of over 170km/h, racers have to deal with thick dust and any small bump can end your race in an instant.
“When you’re doing it at over 170km/h, just the smallest things can become really dangerous.” Simpson said.
“If you don’t really know the track and are not concentrating 100 per cent, you have one little slip up and bang, you’re on your head.”
The 22-year-old started his racing career in motocross, but in 2016 decided a change was needed.
“I got a bit stale with motocross; grinding away doing the same tracks, the same training and the same bikes – I just wanted a change and that’s why I went to off-road racing.” He said.
Just two years into his off-road racing career, Simpson is already making waves and the sky is the limit for the young gun from Cranbourne.
Jack would like to thank all his sponsors and supporters, including; Peter Stevens Motorcycles, FOX Racing, Motorex Oils, The Collective Family, Adsim Excavations, Donjoy, Mark Sladek – mechanic, SP Moto Seats, Joe Stevens – trainer, TuneTech Racing, Harley Heaven, KTM, Force Accessories, Eight11 Racing, CMS Racing, VCG, Peter Dalzeil Horse Breaking and Simford 1800 Racing.
