Motocross

Chatting With A Champ – Jackson Richardson

Author: Aaryn Minerds

Author: Aaryn Minerds

Posted:

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018

11:35 PM

Jackson Richardson has two Australian SX2 titles to his name and will be aiming to add a MX2 title to his resume in 2018 - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Jackson Richardson is one of the fun characters of the Australian race scene.

The type of rider who always looks to be having a fun time off the track, but can quickly get himself into race mode and not only battle with Australia's best, but has two Australian SX2 championships to his name.

Hailing from North Queensland, Richardson has spent a lot of time racing in the U.S, and numerous top ten 250 AMA Supercross results to his name.

With a pair of Aussie SX titles to his credit, Richardson has now turned his attention to adding an Australian Motocross Championship to his resume and has joined forces with the Penrite CRF Honda racing team for the 2018 season.

The conditions at the final round of the 2017 SX Championship were not ideal, especially when gunning for a title - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

First up, we have not had the chance to chat since you won your second straight Australian SX2 championship, How does it feel to be a two time Aussie national champ?

Its a great feeling for sure. This is what all of us work so hard for and to be able to do it twice is an awesome accomplishment.

It was your second straight title, and both were won under very different circumstances. In 2016 you went into the last round with nothing to lose and things went your way. Last year you went into the final round with complete control of your destiny but were faced with some horrible weather conditions, how much of a different mindset did you take into the 2017 final round compared to the 2016 final round?

The 2017 title was definitely more stressful especially with the conditions we had to race in because so much can happen in those kinds of races

For me being in a spot to challenge for a championship twice now both times was really intense and it is on your mind all the time during the week and to get it done was a relief.

Jatz has made the move back to Honda for 2018 signing on to ride for the Penrite Honda CRF Racing Team - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Would you consider either one of those titles as more of a favorite for yourself personally, if so which one and why.

The first one was pretty special not just because it was my first title, but I never planned on competing in SX that year until I got offered a fill in at the last minute.

I was able to make the most out of it and put myself in a position to go for a championship and be able to win it was unreal.

For 2018 you have made the jump over to the Penrite Honda CRF Racing outfit to race the all-new 2018 Honda CRF250R, how did the change to the move to the new team come about?

Well towards the end of the year Mark from CRF Honda racing had approached me and wanted to know if Iâ€™d be interested in riding for them and for me being on a Honda for so many years I was definitely interested right away.

Then I saw the new model was being released so I did some research on it and like what I was hearing about it so I decided to make the move.

The Honda CRF250 is a bike Richardson is Familiar with and a bike he has raced to some great results aboard both here in Australia and in the U.S - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

You are no stranger to Honda machinery, racing a Honda CRF250 both here in Australia and also in the AMA Supercross championship in previous years, I know it is only early days, but how does the new bike compare to your past Honda race bikes?

The new bike is awesome, Iâ€™ve spent a bit of time on it now, and Iâ€™m enjoying it for sure. It handles great and right now we are working towards getting more power out of the engine, but overall Iâ€™m stoked with it.

You have headed off to the U.S for some final preparation for the 2018 MX Nationals, what is the idea behind traveling to the U.S and what will you be working on and doing while over there?

Yeah currently Iâ€™m over in the US to do some engine testing and also training on and off the bike to prepare for the MX Nationals.

Itâ€™s just an opportunity for me to get the new bike dialed in and also ride over here with some of the pros and try to learn a few things and improve my riding.

Jackson Richardson leads the MX2 field into the second turn at Murray Bridge back in 2011 - Credit: Garry Morrow

Finally, your goal for the 2018 MX Nationals is obviously to be gunning for the title, who do you see the competition in this year's championship and what is it going to take to add an Australian MX title to your two Supercross titles?

Yeah the goal is definitely to go for the championship Iâ€™d really like to be able to get an MX title to accomplish that, but we are just going to have to keep putting in the work and try to get it done.