Josh Brookes on BSB, mastering road racing and taking lessons from every corner
Josh, you’ve had a very busy Australian summer, competing in the St George Summer Night Series while also testing tyres for Dunlop ahead of the Isle of Man TT, but things didn’t go totally to plan. A crash testing tyres wrote off your race bike, yet you still rode in the next round on your 2016 Yamaha WSBK machine. Whose idea was that?
As soon as there’s a race on and I’m not in it, I’m trying to find a way to get back on the track. I’ve had that bike for a long time and it’s meant to be a trophy bike, not supposed to be ridden. You look at someone like Mick Doohan or Valentino Rossi and see photos from their home and there is always some bike in the background that was significant to their racing past. I felt like I wanted to collect something that reflected a good part of my racing. 2015 was my first British championship win and it was on that Yamaha. Deon Coote was looking for a top-level superbike, so I helped him get the bike. When he formed the Penrite Honda team, he sold that Yamaha off and I put my hand up to own it. So the bike wasn’t supposed to ever be raced again, it was more of a keepsake.
But given the circumstances – Dunlop had tyres they wanted to test and I wanted to maximise track time before Europe – there were a lot of factors making me ride more than normal. I had to make some calls to my team at DAO Racing to make sure it was okay. That Yamaha was the only bike I had if I wanted to continue riding that weekend. I feel like we learned a lot – it was interesting to see how the bike performed and where its strengths were. It opens your eyes to what we can change with the bike we are using currently and where we can make it better. You’ve always got your ideas and instincts, but having it back-to-back was a rare opportunity.
You’ve just completed four days of testing in Spain to avoid the UK winter ahead of the BSB season. This will be your second year with the Honda – have you cracked the code for consistent wins or podiums?
I wouldn’t say we’ve cracked the code. We had two days at Moneblanco but there is always settling in – four days is long on track but disappears when making changes. As riders we don’t get a great say in how tests are conducted – ultimately we’re there to do a job, ride the bike and pass info back. Sometimes it’s rewarding – lots of laps, making changes and improving lap times – other times it’s arduous. You go back on track, try another setting, and don’t improve regardless of braking later, leaning more or opening the gas harder.
First test evaluated engine changes, next two chassis. I felt I lost a lot of time first day getting up to speed and creating a baseline. It’s important to give consistent, valuable feedback. If I’m not pushing to the bike’s limit, that info won’t give a true indication of performance. At the end of day one we made changes that weren’t ‘cracking the code’ – but they improved lap times. It will take fine tuning to get the bike working the way I want in this new range.” The engines tried at the first venue will be reviewed to make finer adjustments. It’s a valuable and critical time, but I wouldn’t say we’re on lap-record pace. One encouraging thing was the official Honda team were there with Ryan Vickers and Jason O’Halloran. Ryan in particular was setting strong lap times, showing the potential for improvement is there.
You’re working alongside Lee Jackson again. Do you share data and experiences to improve the bike?
Yeah we do. Sometimes teammates are prickly and don’t share info, sometimes it’s not amicable. Lee and I talk a lot about line selection, braking points, how the bike maintains the tyre – personal info you wouldn’t share with a rival. I feel Lee and I have one of the better teammate relationships and most of the time last year we were within the same tenth on track. We’re mature enough to realise we have more to gain working together than to lose.
With your experience racing internationally, what do you think about the Oz MotoGP switching to Adelaide?
I’m logical. Racing is a business – it’s about making money. Phillip Island is difficult to get to, accommodation isn’t cheap, police presence is heavy. Atmosphere is dead because no one can easily attend. Emotionally, you’ll never replace Phillip Island, but financially and logically, Adelaide is 15 times better. How much I enjoy riding Phillip Island doesn’t change how entertaining the racing is. I question how they’ll make the circuit safe, but with government support anything is possible. Calling it a street circuit is misleading – it will be a normal grand prix racetrack located in a city.
What about your own schedule? DAO are supporting you at the TT and Northwest 200 – is BSB still the priority?
BSB is absolutely the priority. The roads are a ‘bolt-on’. Last year I rode Northwest 200 and TT for another team, and DAO said if we can run our own bikes at these events it makes sense to add them. It adds strain, but Sommai and Clarissa are as excited as I am – they just juggle the staff and make it work.
How do you manage preparation after so many years in the sport?
It’s intense like a boxer before a fight, but you can’t maintain that long term. I’ve been racing since 1988. There’s highs and lows, but you need a lifestyle you can maintain. BSB has a bit more time off, but the key for me is balance – leading an active sporting lifestyle without burning out.
You’re heading back to the Isle of Man – how do you approach road racing as a circuit rider?
People think you’re crazy at the TT, just switching your brain off and going mad. But to be fast, you have to be a master at your sport. Everyone lining up is trying to master it. I ride at my 100 percent, but everyone has their own 100 percent. It’s like Supercross indoor vs outdoor Nationals – same riders, bikes, crew, different disciplines. On circuits you push brakes, tyres, chassis, suspension to the extreme. On public roads you roll over bumps, off throttle early, avoid heavy braking – it’s about stability. The smoother and more harmonious your riding, the faster you become. It inspires clever riding, not stupidity.
