Catching up ... with Hamish Harwood
Thursday 29 August: Hamish Harwood (CMR Red Bull KTM 250SX) heads into the Final Round of Australia’s Monster Energy Motocross Nationals 2013 this weekend. Sharon Cox catches up with Hamish.
Hamish Harwood at the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Round 9, Toowoomba last Sunday.
Courtesy WEM - Sport the library / Jeff Crow image
The 18 year old from Nelson has a 53 point lead in
Pirelli MXD class. He has out-performed Australia’s fastest Under 19 riders
over the 8 Round Series, remaining determined, focused and confident to clinch
the Overall at Coolum.
Hamish states; "Definitely racing Junior
Motocross in NZ and Australia, gaining Titles in both countries and then
gaining the opportunity to race in Europe in 2012 has given me the experience
needed to compete in Australia’s Series this year.”
In 2012, at just 17 years, Hamish competed in FIM GP
MX2, British Senior Championship finishing a credible 21st and in the FIM
Junior World Championship, finishing 10th.
Sharon Cox took the opportunity to catch up with
Hamish heading into the Final Round of Australia’s National Series, to see how
the Series has gone, what it has taken to get where he is today, and what will
be next.
Sharon Cox: Heading into Round 8 out of 8 in
Australia MX Nationals with 53 point lead in MXD class, how has the Series gone
to this point?
Hamish Harwood: I’m happy with my progress throughout
the season. I knew what I needed to do and have put myself where I needed to be,
coming off a 4 month break from injury. I knew it would be a slow start to the
season but consistency and confidence in my team, training programme, sponsors
and support has put me in the position I am in right now.
Racing KTM 250SX for the Series with the support from
KTM NZ, Australia and CMR Red Bull KTM, has this set-up suited you for racing
the various tracks over 8 Rounds?
Being a privateer, racing a series in another country
can be very expensive. I have had great support from KTM Australia, NZ and NZ’s
CMR Red Bull KTM, along-side more sponsors that we have picked up throughout
the year. Racing the 250 2-stroke was the only way for us with our limited
budget this year. I feel that the results would be the same on both the
2-stroke and 4-stroke as I have ridden both over the years, but the 2-stroke
was the best option financially at this stage. KTM makes a great machine
straight out of the box. From my testing I seem to get better starts on a
2-stroke, but my lap times are faster on the 4-stroke and they are easier to
ride.
With the experience gained from racing Juniors in NZ
and Australia, then taking on the challenge of racing in Europe FIM MX2 GP's
and FIM Junior World MX Championship in 2012, what stands out as most important
in getting your MX career to where it is today?
I have made the biggest gains from racing in Europe
in 2012. I got to race with some of the best riders in the world and see
motocross at the highest and most professional level. The option to go and race
in Europe evolved from being recognised as having a complete package, this
involved having a supportive family behind me, being dedicated and driven to
achieve my goals, having a good team around me, a demanding training programme
with Target MX Coaching in New Zealand, and from my titles I gained in the NZ
and Australian Junior Motocross Championship in 2011.
Looking toward the Final Round at Coolum on Sunday,
what will be your main focus for the 2 day event?
My main focus for Coolum is to stick to my current
race day structure; this has worked well for me. On the bike I will ride smart
and continue to give it 100% and everything will fall into place. As I have
done throughout the Series I aim to stay safe and ride smart and let the
results come to me.
At 18 years, you have experienced some great racing this
year, what will you value from competing in Australia's MX Nationals Pirelli
MXD class 2013?
The values that I have gained in 2013 are racing
Australia’s Monster Energy National tracks and learning how the Series works,
as I will compete in the MX2 class next year. Being out front on points in the
MXD class has also taught me how to deal with the pressure of leading the
Championship. The biggest value that I have gained is meeting people within the
Australian motocross industry that could in the future be part of my success
and the success of their teams, products, and results.