It’s been a busy season so far for World Superbike star Jonathan Rea. After a win in the Czech Republic and the tough test of the Suzuka 8 Hour race in Japan, we caught up with him as he prepared for another SBK assault on the new Silverstone circuit this weekend.
How did it feel to win in Brno?
It was great, to be honest. It’s always good to win, but I’m finding with my bike that it’s a bit more inconsistent than last year. Just to get back on the top step again in Brno, and to be honest even the second place [in race two] to grab a double podium, was good for my confidence. I think it gives the boys in the garage a bit of a present as well, and the encouragement not to lose faith and keep plugging on.
'I was following guys like James Stewart and Travis Pastrana, and thinking, “Those guys are so cool!”'
How was the Suzuka 8 Hour Race?
It was probably one of the best races I’ve ever done in my career, because it’s a completely unique event compared to what I’m used to – a proper test of man and machine. We had a third place, which wasn’t exactly what we wanted, but we had a crash and some misdemeanours in the first hour – my team-mate [Kousuke Akiyoshi] passing under yellow flags, which gave us ridethrough penalties – but, to be honest, we had the speed to win and I think we were the story of the weekend. I just loved every minute of it.
How do you think riding at Silverstone will have changed since you last rode there, what with the new layout?
Even in British Superbikes, when I was here four years ago, I’ve never done the full Silverstone circuit. I was once lucky enough to do a Red Bull day with David Coulthard and Steve Jones, the Red Bull Air Race pilot, and I got a little bit of time on the full circuit, but since then even that’s changed, with a new section. We’re going out here for free practice in about an hour and a half, so it’ll be good to learn the circuit ahead of qualifying tomorrow.
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Nicky Hayden’s brother Roger has been called up from SBK to MotoGP to cover for the injured Randy de Puniet. Would you say yes if asked to cover for a MotoGP rider or would you stay in SBK to focus on the championship?
Right now, the World Superbike series is at a very high level… MotoGP is going down the Formula One route a little bit, where it depends what bike you’re actually on. I think I could do myself a lot of harm going there on an unfamiliar circuit and bike, and maybe just rounding out at the rear or, best case scenario, the top 10. For sure, though, if I had a test on a bike at a familiar circuit, it would be great to try to get amongst it in the top 10 somewhere and see what happens.
You were once quoted as thinking that circuit racing was boring compared to motocross. What changed your mind?
To be honest, it was a bit of a lifestyle thing. All through my childhood, I was following guys like James Stewart [star of AMA Supercross] and Travis Pastrana, and thinking, “Those guys are so cool!” Then you compared what they did to what looked like a ‘real’ job in road racing, where everyone had to be so ‘politically correct’, and it seemed serious and boring. But I love exactly what I do now, and it’s given me a great life. And as I’m one of the youngest guys here, I try to bring a few pranks into the paddock and make it a cooler place, without all the PR spiel you’re expected to come out with.
Jonathan Rea will still be taking this weekend’s action at Silverstone seriously on his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda.
Read more of this exclusive Red Bull interview with Jonathan tomorrow on redbull.com, your first stop for all two-wheeled action.
In the meantime, keep up with the news at his own website, jrea65.com, and at worldsbk.com
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