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Interview: Jack Chambers Part 2

American eager for success in 2023.

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Part two of our interview with Jack Chambers shines the spotlight on his journey to the pro ranks, his friendship with Jett Lawrence, the madness of LCQs, the challenges supercross poses, the grip tape company he co-founded, attending the MXoN and his future goals.

Read Part 1 here.


Words: Edward Stratmann | Lead Image: Jack Chambers


Edward Stratmann: How has the adaptation to supercross specifically been?

Jack Chambers: This year in supercross, I had some good runs. I remember the triple crown at St. Louis and I had to go to the LCQ and got first out and lead every lap and got an interview on Supercross Live which was pretty cool. And that ended up being my turning point in my riding and feeling more confident. Being able to apply myself more to my riding.

I obviously didn’t have the results I wanted, But three weeks before the first round I broke my thumb. I didn’t post anything about this. I took two weeks off and rode the week before the first round. I felt good enough to go.

I went out in free practice in Minneapolis and there was a set of whoops and then a triple. And on that triple the landing was really steep. I wasn’t trying to send it or anything, but I skipped a whoop at the end and wheelied out so I downshifted and sat into the face and I wheel cased the triple and it just caught and then I endoed. It wasn’t really that hard of a crash, but I landed right on my shoulder and I separated my shoulder.

So I then came to Daytona and I made the main from the heat race. Then at Daytona in the main, I think I had 16th gate pick then I got cleaned up from the outside. Some guy got a better start and came right across in front of me and slammed on the brakes, completely shut down. I’m not sure if he was scared of the first turn or what, but I hit his back wheel and crashed. So I was in last, my bars were all tweaked and I rode 15-20 laps on a gnarly, rutted up supercross track.

So I was super ecstatic to make it from the heat race and then I wasn’t able to race basically. It was just the ups and downs of a rookie year so I’m hoping for a better one this year.

ES: The aim for 2023 is obviously to build on this, get in every main and start looking towards top 15 results consistently?

JC: Definitely, I would say by the end of the season, I would hope to be in the top 10 doing east next year. My best actual finish, which was at an east vs. west shootout, I got 12th in my heat race, which is only east, but it’s basically a main event. I was in fifth off the start. I got a really good start and I came around right across the line before that big jump that Hunter crashed on that everyone was freaking out about that they took out, then I kind of slid sideways then I went to angle for that jump and I slid back the other way as it was pretty slick and muddy from the rain that morning. I went way back and then made it back to 12th and then in the LCQ they combine them and I got fifth – so one out. I liked Atlanta, it was just a bummer to not make the main event.

I never missed a night show, which is a huge goal for some people, but for me now to not make a night show, I’d consider quitting. But that feeling of not making it in the LCQ is terrible. You know everything we put into it, we have to make the night show, that’s my expectation – just like Jett has expectations of being on the podium and winning. Looking to progress and keep getting better and avoid those LCQs.

ES: How did your friendship with Jett start off, as you guys have known each for a while now?

JC: So my buddy Ethan Lane, his Dad bought Chad Reed’s old property, and then I started training there, and Tim Ferry was our trainer. And Jett came there I think at the end of 2018 after Mini Os. I had no clue who he was, I hadn’t seen him on TV, Instagram or nothing. I just thought he was some Australian kid that did stupid stuff. We were immediately just riding pit bikes, making jokes and his brother Tate is hilarious too. I actually just got off the phone with him. Love that kid, he’s like my best friend. He’s awesome, he calls me like every single day.

After that, me and Jett became friends and started hanging out, going to the movies and doing this and that. The friendship just kind of formed and then he raced pro before me and then I went to my first race.

He was watching me when I qualified ninth overall and came to me and was like “dude I’m so proud of you and everything” – it was sick. Obviously I don’t see Jett the way a lot of people do because of his results and everything so it’s cool to create a friendship not from that. We’re just normal kids doing our thing. He’s a pretty cool guy and he’s got his stuff figured out racing dirt bikes. I learn what I can from him too.

It was actually cool I got to go to the Nations at RedBud, so the guys from Red Bull texted me and were like “we know you’re friends with Jett, let’s get you with a GoPro setup and let’s film for his next show”. I filmed everything in the pits and everybody. It was a bit weird being there with Team Australia, but Team USA was pretty awesome winning and Australia got third. It was definitely an experience I’ll remember forever, with being friends with Jett and seeing everything that he goes through on race day. It was cool and motivating to see that one day that could be me racing for Team USA. It’s a big goal but anything is possible.

Even just watching him train doing the daily stuff, the things he can do and he just makes it look so easy.

ES: How was your pathway into motocross growing up?

JC: My biggest thing was I raced woods GNCC type stuff until I was 12 or 13. And then 13, 14, 15 age was when I started to ride more motocross and go to the area qualifiers. So when I was that age I was barely making it to Loretta’s.

ES: So you had quite a late start into motocross compared to many other kids?

JC: Yes, and then when I was 15 I won a championship at Mini Os and then after Loretta’s that year I rode like every day I could and kind of found a love for training and riding and all that stuff. There was no still no pro supercross in sight, I was just racing and riding for fun for more of a challenge from the woods racing.

The next year I was about to turn 16 and I got invited to Monster Cup and started riding supercross at Tim Ferry’s place and found a love for that. Then I went to Monster Cup and I got third in the second moto. The first moto I was completely nervous, I had no clue what I was doing, but the second I got third in the main behind Max Vohland and Kaeden Amerine.

After that I thought this is sick being at the stadium, all the fans, being on TV and all my friends congratulating me. I felt like this is what I want to do and then I got on 125s and won a couple of amateur titles on that and from there went to 250 B class for six months. Then right after Loretta’s I went to A class for a year then straight to pros.

ES: Lastly, what are your short and long term goals?

JC: This year will be my last year where my parents are helping me a bit even though I’m doing a lot of stuff on my own. 2024 will be all on me and my performances in 2023 will determine what I can get and what companies are interested in helping me and what teams I can attract. The next two years I probably will hope to ride 250s just because I’m not somebody that is going to go out and win in two years so I just want to establish myself in the class then go to the 450.

I’ve ridden a 450 and I probably wouldn’t ride a 450 on a supercross track yet. I could do it, it’s just for my age and my weight, as I have more years of maturing and getting stronger.

Also while I was hurt I started a company with my mechanic that was down here during the season, Zach. It’s a grip tape company (Anchor Tape Co.) so I’m using it to help support my racing. He had always been good at stuff with his hands and making stuff. Now we actually have a lot of teams using our stuff this year. Pro Circuit, Twisted Tea/HEP so Kenny’s using it, the whole Star Racing team is using our tape – frame tape, side panel and number plate grip tape.

So that’s been my hobby while I was hurt, just helping and making videos and just doing the social media stuff like that. It gives me another path I can take at the end of racing. It’s almost hard to have a second plan as my Mum says “I’m too smart to race dirt bikes cause I think too much as she thinks I maybe should’ve gone to college and got a job” but this is what I love to do. I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore and then I’m going to find something in the sport for work – whether it’s interviewing people like you or being a guy like Axell Hodges making dirt bike videos. Nothing planned right now, but there are some ideas for the future.

This sport never gets easier, the training is hard and the racing is tough. There’s a lot of suffering for not the greatest of rewards most of the time. There’s so much that goes into it.

ES: All the best and great to see all your hard work is starting to pay off. Thanks for taking the time to talk.

Features

Stat Attack: Indianapolis Supercross Review

See now.

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With the tenth round of AMA Supercross in the books, statistics maestro Paul Pearcy has provided MX Vice with some brilliant numbers to tuck into from what was a great night of action. Enjoy

250 Class

Qualifying

  • Top 3
  1. Max Anstie: 49.492
  2. Tom Vialle: 49.492; (Max got top spot because his time came in the first session, while Tom’s time came in the second session)
  3. Pierce Brown: 49.719

LCQ

  • Top 3
  1. Jeremy Martin
  2. Ryder Floyd
  3. Hardy Munoz
  • Laps Led
  1. Jeremy Martin: 5
  2. Hardy Munoz: 2
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jeremy Martin: 52.413
  2. Preston Boespflug: 53.150
  3. Gage Linville: 53.549
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jeremy Martin: 53.655
  2. Preston Boespflug: 54.259
  3. Ryder Floyd: 54.373

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Cameron Mcadoo
  2. Haiden Deegan
  3. Seth Hammaker
  • Laps Led
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 12
  2. Daxton Bennick: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 49.561
  2. Tom Vialle: 49.660
  3. Cameron Mcadoo: 49.854
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 50.830
  2. Haiden Deegan: 51.086
  3. Seth Hammaker: 51.907
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Preston Boespflug: 2.970
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 3.184
  3. Jalek Swoll: 3.287

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Haiden Deegan
  2. Cameron Mcadoo
  3. Tom Vialle
  • Laps Led
  1. Haiden Deegan: 12
  2. Jalek Swoll: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 49.493
  2. Tom Vialle: 50.690
  3. Pierce Brown: 50.868
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 51.522
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 52.214
  3. Tom Vialle: 52.580
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Jeremy Hand: 2.040
  2. Coty Schock: 2.315
  3. Max Anstie: 2.634

Race 3

  • Top 3
  1. Tom Vialle
  2. Pierce Brown
  3. Cameron Mcadoo
  • Laps Led
  1. Tom Vialle: 13
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Tom Vialle: 49.844
  2. Chance Hymas: 50.020
  3. Cameron Mcadoo: 50.175
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Tom Vialle: 51.493
  2. Pierce Brown: 51.563
  3. Haiden Deegan: 51.892
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Marshal Weltin: 1.984
  2. Seth Hammaker: 1.997
  3. Nick Romano: 2.233

Overall

  • Top 3
  1. Cameron Mcadoo; (1st win of the season, 80% podium rate this year)
  2. Tom Vialle; (80% podium rate this year)
  3. Haiden Deegan; (40% podium rate this season)
  • Laps Led
  1. Tom Vialle: 13; (Tom is now tied with Austin Forkner for most laps led this season at 37.  34% of total laps raced)
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 12
  3. Haiden Deegan: 12
  4. Jalek Swoll: 1
  5. Daxton Bennick: 1
  • Best First Lap Position Average
  1. Tom Vialle: 3rd 
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 3.333
  3. Jalek Swoll: 4th 

Points

  • Top 10
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 98
  2. Tom Vialle: 96
  3. Pierce Brown: 87
  4. Haiden Deegan: 82
  5. Coty Schock: 79
  6. Seth Hammaker: 72
  7. Daxton Bennick: 71
  8. Max Anstie: 62
  9. Chance Hymas: 60
  10. Jalek Swoll: 58

450 Class

Qualifying

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence: 48.523
  2. Eli Tomac: 48.554
  3. Cooper Webb: 48.568; (The difference between 1st and 3rd was .045 seconds.)

LCQ

  • Top 3
  1. Kyle Chisholm
  2. Justin Starling
  3. Devin Simonson
  • Laps Led
  1. Kyle Chisholm: 7
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Ty Masterpool: 52.415
  2. Kyle Chisholm: 52.810
  3. Freddie Noren: 53.248
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Kyle Chisholm: 54.223
  2. Ryan Breece: 54.271
  3. Freddie Noren: 54.390

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 10
  2. Ken Roczen: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 48.639
  2. Ken Roczen: 49.225
  3. Cooper Webb: 49.581
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 51.023
  2. Cooper Webb: 51.383
  3. Ken Roczen: 51.402
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Aaron Plessinger: 2.774
  2. Eli Tomac: 3.095
  3. Chase Sexton: 3.785

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 10
  2. Ken Roczen: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 49.499
  2. Ken Roczen: 49.713
  3. Chase Sexton: 49.849
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 50.735
  2. Chase Sexton: 50.884
  3. Ken Roczen: 50.908 (That’s a difference of .173 in average lap times over 16 laps)
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Ken Roczen: 2.537
  2. Malcolm Stewart: 2.641
  3. Chase Sexton: 2.676

Race 3

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Chase Sexton 
  3. Ken Roczen
  • Laps Led
  1. Ken Roczen: 10
  2. Jett Lawrence: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Ken Roczen: 49.131
  2. Chase Sexton: 49.284
  3. Jett Lawrence: 49.314
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 50.477
  2. Chase Sexton: 50.483
  3. Cooper Webb: 50.594; (That’s a difference of .117 in average lap times over 16 laps)
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Chase Sexton: 2.528
  2. Cooper Webb: 2.885
  3. Jason Anderson: 3.079

Overall

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence; (The only other person to have a perfect sweep at a triple crown was Ken Roczen in 2020 also on a Honda.  Jett has now won 50% of the races this season, with a 60% podium rate)
  2. Ken Roczen; (Ken has a 50% podium rate this year)
  3. Chase Sexton; (Chase has a 50% podium rate this year)
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 26; (Jett now has 130 laps led, 50.7% of total laps)
  2. Ken Roczen: 22; (Ken has the second most laps led at 49, Just 19% of total laps)
  • Best First Lap Position Average
  1. Ken Roczen: 1st 
  2. Jett Lawrence: 2nd 
  3. Jason Anderson: 4th 

Points

  • Top 10
  1. Jett Lawrence: 210
  2. Cooper Webb: 189
  3. Chase Sexton: 185
  4. Ken Roczen: 175
  5. Eli Tomac: 174
  6. Jason Anderson: 165
  7. Aaron Plessinger: 162
  8. Justin Cooper: 120
  9. Justin Barcia: 109
  10. Dylan Ferrandis: 107

Lead Image: HRC

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

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British MX Nationals

Thank you. It’s been a hell of a ride.

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Since buying back MX Vice in November 2019, it has been challenging. One of those crystal balls would have been handy for navigating some problematic situations. Who would have thought COVID-19 would be a thing?

Those who follow MX Vice know we started from nothing but an idea. A fan who loved the sport created a Facebook page, website, and social media presence that would become disruptive. It has made numerous talented media people who were allowed to run with it for over thirteen years. Being in the UK/Europe has always been difficult; I’ve always believed that if we were a US media company, we would have been embraced and appreciated for our work ethic and the content we produce. We always cast one eye over the US in Europe, and you can’t blame the top European riders for doing the same.

MX Vice has always tried to give people a voice, especially the riders who are not in the limelight and the teams that put so much into the sport. We love people’s passion and sacrifice to improve and challenge themselves. That, for me, was the natural pull, not the money but the passion and sacrifice. We all know we would not be in motocross if it were about the money. I always considered MX Vice the media version of Steve Dixon’s team in MXGP (which I have a huge amount of respect for), where we have always tried to challenge without the factory budgets.

We knew it would be tough this year with so many businesses and brands cutting marketing budgets and reducing costs; this was never going to be good for us. We have just had two incredible months of stats, with January and February bringing in over 1 million people to the website, which is quite bittersweet. As much as the funds are low, so is my energy and health. COVID impacted me more than I could ever envisaged. My health has deteriorated ever since I caught COVID; my immune system is not in a great place, and when I try and work to the standard I set myself, my body breaks on me, and it takes me days to recover. Ed Stratmann has been a revelation since he took the editorial reigns and has pushed MX Vice to new heights, which is incredible given the lack of resources he has had to work with and support from myself. I have been missing from the podcast show to reduce my time, as I am now self-employed and working for two companies to pay the bills.

Every journey ends, and that’s not what we want. Over the past 13 years, we have given it everything, leaving no stone unturned. We’re proud of how we have disrupted, challenged decisions, held organisations accountable, and illuminated incredible stories.

We will have an auction for signed shirts donated by riders, podcast equipment, and memorabilia to pay off the invoices of some contributors. If, however, you want to see MX Vice continue, you can donate here: https://ko-fi.com/mxvice or purchase a shirt or memorabilia. If we meet our target of £25,000, which is currently outstanding to run this year, then Ed and I will continue. However, we fully expect this won’t happen due to the large sum required.

It’s hard out there at the moment. Take care of your health and family, and never lose your passion for the most fantastic sport in the world.

Burf.

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Features

Lit Kit Gallery: MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina

The best from round 1.

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Check out some of the freshest fits, helmets and more from the MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina. Lead Image: Nestaan Husqvarna – Full Spectrum.

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM – Ray Archer / Nestaan Husqvarna – Full Spectrum / Yamaha MXGP – Full Spectrum + Eva Szabadfi / JM Honda / Kawasaki MXGP / Fantic MXGP / Yamaha MX2 – Full Spectrum / HRC MXGP / GasGas – Juan Pablo Acevedo


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