Features 5 Sep 2017

Catching Up: Josh Hook

Checking in with the newly-signed EWC contender on a variety of topics.

Australian international Josh Hook recently signed a full-time deal with the F.C.C. TSR Honda team for the 2017-2018 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), which will see him contend the entire series. He’ll also make one more Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) appearance this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park before the opening round of EWC the following week in France, so CycleOnline.com.au tracked down the New South Welshman to get the latest.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Obviously last month it was revealed that you signed with F.C.C. TSR Honda team for the 2017-2018 FIM Endurance World Championship, you must be relieved to have that locked in nice and early.

Yeah it’s a massive load off me, and stops me stressing out for the rest of the year trying to get a gig sorted. TSR got that all sorted quite quickly because next weekend is actually the first round of the championship, so you have to get these deals done quite early on in the year. So that’s done for next year and I’m quite happy that I’ve got a good spot in that championship. They’re a great team and good bunch of guys, we’re definitely capable of winning the championship and I’m stoked about signing with them.

Last time we spoke you emphasised the bike and tyre package TSR has to offer, are you feeling confident heading into the season-opener?

For sure, tyres are the biggest thing for us because it’s endurance racing and you do quite a lot of laps in one stint. It’s super important to have a good tyre, and in my opinion, we’re running the Bridgestone tyre – the factory tyres from Japan – they’re by the far the best tyre that anyone can get in that championship. We’ve got a good contract with Bridgestone and that’s very important to have if you want to be winning races.

You also mentioned locking in the deal nice and early will allow you find alternative races to contend, has anything else opened up for you since?

At this stage, no. I may be looking into the American superbike championship, but at this stage I’m just sort of looking around. It’s hard to sign for a full championship as well as the EWC because the dates will always clash – for some reason they always end up on the same weekends. Hopefully I can pick off little bits and pieces to fill in the gaps.

Image: Keith Muir.

Now you were at the private Sydney Motorsport Park test last week with the McMartin Racing Ducati team, is the plan to race ASBK this weekend?

Yeah, we’ll head there this weekend. Craig McMartin has a race bike there that he has prepared for me, we went and tested it last week and everything is going well. We’re going to use the Pirelli tyre this weekend, for us I think the Pirelli is far better in this championship. It’s a nice competitive tyre in my opinion and works well with the Ducati, I think we’re going to be in with a shot – the test was positive and Craig is doing all he can to make the bike right for me. I’m feeling quite good leading into this weekend, especially after the test we had – we got some good information and feedback from that. Hopefully we can go into this week on the front foot.

Last time out in ASBK you were sixth, which was at Winton, are you hoping to top that result this Sunday?

Yeah, I think we’re in a much better position to top that also. Last time we were riding on the Bridgestone’s and they just weren’t quite up to it – they came really good at the end of the race, but by that stage it was too late. I think by being on the Pirelli it’s going to be a benefit for us, and also Eastern Creek is a better track for me – it’s a lot faster track. Craig has the Ducati really fast, the engine is super powerful and we’ll be able to use that this weekend.

Thanks mate, I appreciate your time.

No worries mate, thanks for that.

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