Features 8 Jul 2014

Catching Up: Josh Waters

Aussie star on second season in BSB and special Suzuka 8 Hour challenge.

Two-time Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters is in the thick of his second British Superbike season, having reunited with familiar machinery in the factory Suzuki package. With his rookie season behind him, the steep learning curve of the world’s toughest domestic championship is beginning to taper off. CycleOnline.com.au caught up with Josh in a break between his Suzuka 8 Hour testing to talk BSB and his upcoming World Endurance Championship appearance.

Source: Suzuki Racing.

Source: Suzuki Racing.

We’ve ticked off a handful of BSB rounds this year though we’re still a few away from getting to the halfway point. Can you give us your thoughts on your own start to your second season in the championship?

This season, like every year, it always seems to get stronger and tougher. The times and stuff like that have all improved a lot but for me, it’s great to be back on a bike I have that feeling of familiarity with. We’re only four races in and the results probably haven’t been what I’ve hoped for so far. We’ll see how we go for the next few rounds. We are making improvements and getting new parts for the bike which gives us confidence as a team. Also now the team are not as busy as they have been with the international road race events, because it’s the same team that runs the BSB team and the road race team.

Now that you’re a second year rider, do you come into the events with a little bit more confidence in knowing the characteristics of the circuits?

It’s definitely better going to a circuit and you know it. It’s not like back home where we get to ride around the track the week before or anything. And at home you wouldn’t need to, because I’d ridden a 125, and a 600, and so on, at those circuits. It’s definitely better for me knowing the circuits. I feel as the season goes I can continue to build on that.

Can you pick out a specific round that has been your personal best to date?

The best round for me has been Snetterton, even though the results weren’t unbelievable. We made a big change with the bike and for me it felt a lot better. I got knocked off in the second race, and fought back through the field and finished in the same position I did in the first race when I didn’t get knocked off. So that was a good result. The last round wasn’t too bad, I was going alright, but unfortunately I crashed when I was in eighth. But I look forward to riding again and keep those improvements coming.

What are your impressions of the BSB-spec Suzuki? Obviously still early days, do you feel there’s more to come in terms of speed and overall setup?

I enjoy the bike, there’s just something I still need to make click with it. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s something we can change on the bike. But I’ll keep working at it. Like I said we’re getting those new parts to try to make the bike a bit better, because at the minute we are struggling a bit. The team haven’t given up in any way and they are committed to making the steps forward.

You of course rode the Yamaha last year and are back on the more familiar Suzuki. What was the most noticeable difference between the two?

I’d ridden a Suzuki for seven years at home, so the feeling of the bike I remembered. The Yamaha was quite a bit different. The BSB Yamaha is very stiff, and the power was a lot different. It was just a lot different to ride, and very different from what I expected. Maybe because I spent so long on Suzukis back home, that’s why I feel so comfortable on them.

You’re teammate to John Hopkins this year; what’s it like pitting alongside someone with such a huge following and obviously that breadth of experience?

He’s actually a really, really cool guy. I didn’t know what he’d be like. The fans love him, so our team has a lot of attention in that regard. He’s got a lot of experience in giving feedback and all those things, so he’s cool to be a teammate with. We share ideas an thoughts on the bike, it’s a close team, and it’s similar to an Australian atmosphere in that everyone talks and tries to help each other out.

Source: Yoshimura Suzuki.

Source: Yoshimura Suzuki.

Let’s switch focus to World Endurance now and the upcoming Suzuka race. You’re in Japan at the moment, having just ticked off two days of a four-day test. How’s it all progressing?

Well day one was dry, and unfortunately day two it rained. This year over half my team have ridden the Suzuki MotoGP bike, so that’s a cool thing. And one of my teammates, Randy de Puniet, has actually never ridden a Superbike, so the team have had to give him a bit more time in that sense. My other teammate, the Japanese rider who rides it normally, has been sharing a bike with me. Like I said it rained on day two and I didn’t do a heap of laps but I was able to get down to a good time even with limited laps. Now we’re just hoping for some more dry time.

You’ve scored a second place here in the past; obviously your ultimate goal would be to go one better and take a win, wouldn’t it?

I’d love to live that feeling of the second place again, and go one better. I feel that my Suzuka experiences have been some of my best ever races, in my mind, especially standing on the podium in front of all those fans. And then in 2012, being fastest and leading the first lap, it was just a special memory. Whenever I’m feeling a bit down I can think back to those times and it really does make me realise the passion I have.

As an endurance racer you’ve really made your mark, with those early opportunities coming while still racing back home. It must be good to know you’re top of Yoshimura Suzuki’s shopping list, so to speak?

Definitely. This is my third year riding for Yoshimura Suzuki. I think Nob Aoki has done six rides for Suzuki in the 8 Hour, so I’m half-way there! It’s pretty cool to be back with the team. This year is the 60th anniversary for Yoshimura as well, so it’s really special to them. They’ve actually competed in every Suzuka 8 Hour. The team has two bikes this year, with the Legends, which has Kevin Schwanz, his 1986 teammate and Nob Aoki together, and then the number 34 which I’m riding for, is the the other team.

Lastly Josh, a quick word on the Australian scene. As someone who flew the flag for Team Suzuki Australia and won two championships on their Superbike program, was it disappointing for you to see the troubles the team faced in the leadup to this year?

Yes, it’s crap to see that. The team has been there for so long, through thick and thin, when it has got bad they’ve stood by the series. I was shocked when I heard the news that it wasn’t happening, and I’m sure everyone else was. Hopefully things turn around and it gets better, for both Suzuki there and the sport.

Thanks for the chat Josh. We look forward to catching up soon.

Thanks, anytime. I’ll keep you updated.

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