Simpson set for Maxxis charge
By Team TMX on 3rd Jun 15
Hitachi Revo KTMs Shaun Simpson rode to another top 10 finish at a packed out Villars sous Ecot last weekend not bad considering he had to pick his bike up off the floor in the first corner of the second moto after failing to avoid a fallen David Philippaerts.
Ahead of round four of the Maxxis TMX talked to the 27-year old for a quick catch-up where he gave us some surprising news of his plans for the summer...
TMX: What are your thoughts on the season so far...
Shaun Simpson: "Well, it was clear in my head where I should stand in GPs and that's top six or seven and that is what I have been achieving since Valkenswaard. "I managed top six in Qatar and then again in the second moto in Spain and the results have come across a range of tracks – sand, hard-pack, fast, hilly. "It is exciting really because I haven't really had that feeling for a couple of years. I know I can be top six so with a good start and pushing away there is no reason I cannot try for an overall podium in the right circumstances.”
TMX: Does it help that when you look at the standings you are in front of a number of factory bikes again? Does it give you a little boost?
SS: "It is always amazing to know we are doing a great job with the tools that we have andknow you are battling against riders that have five or six guys around them for suspension, engine, ECU, tuning and whatever. "From the small group of guys we have working in my team and on my bike that includes my Dad, my brother and myself we are getting it out there and pushing up. "In a way we are annoying the others and that's what I have to do – be that annoying character every week until people notice and think ‘we cannot fault that guy' and then whatever that may lead onto.
TMX: You were busy at the British GP, both before with promotion and during it. How did the weekend rank?
SS: "I think it is definitely the best experience I have had at the British GP. Not only results-wise. "I always think the British GP is stressful so I tried to forget about the wider implications of it as much as possible and even escaped to a hotel on Friday night just to get to a different environment for a few hours. "It was good to do that. I did all the signing sessions and liked being with the fans and then on track I felt good and enjoyed it. "The whole weekend seemed to go well. Everyone around me was motivated and happy with the results. I had the feeling that everyone went home feeling good and that's the aim of the game every weekend.”
TMX: Before the GP you were complaining a lot about your starts. What changed at Matterley?
SS: "The first race was a complete fluke. Frossard was next to me and went too early for whatever reason and I caught it out of the corner of my eye. "I hesitated for a second and then let my clutch out. I thought I'd hit the gate but it fell right at that moment and my front wheel just rolled over it! "I thought maybe the gate had failed and I looked around and everybody was still coming so I kept it pinned and was there in second. "I used that information for the second one and it worked a treat. I got my handlebars and elbows out front, shifted the KTM into third and it just lit up.”
TMX: So Hawkstone Park next. You must be feeling quite confident going there...
SS: "Hawkstone is always a track I have enjoyed. If it is prepared well then it can be a really enjoyable event. Depending on the weather it can get really rough or people could end up going the same speed as the sand has become a lot harder over the years.
"I think there is a certain amount of hype to this one with Herlings coming over for the MX2 class. It remains to be seen how fit Whatley and Tanel Leok will be. I'm just looking forward to going and having a good weekend and sporting that No.1 plate on the bike. "I like the atmosphere at the British Championship at the moment and the hype about keeping my streak alive. "First and foremost it will be about getting the first couple of races out of the way – wins would be nice – and then thinking about the overall and the championship.”
TMX: Lastly there is a rumour circulating that you might be attempting an AMA National this summer. Any comments on that?
SS: "It is something I have been thinking about for a good while and I still need to talk about it with Roger (Magee, Team Principal) but I have been looking into it. Together with a good personal sponsor of mine, Dyce Carriers, we are keen to make it happen and there are a couple of free dates – a good one in August. "I'm 27 now and a lot of guys move to America when they are quite young so I have missed that boat. I just want to go over and try.
"I feel in a good place at the moment and with the standard KTM and a couple of bolt-ons we could do a good job. It will be an enjoyment thing, something to tick-off for my career and you never know what doors might open because of it...even back in the GPs. It is just about widening my exposure as well....even if I end up getting an extra thousand Twitter followers from it then that would be a bonus.
FOR MORE NEWS & PICTURES SEE TMX NEWS, THURSDAY, JUNE 4 (ISSUE 1974)
