Motocross star Jamie Squibb talks to us about Nitro Circus Live, job opportunities and generally living life on the death-defying edge…
So what exactly is Nitro Circus Live?
It’s crazy people doing crazy things for two hours. The best freestyle motocross riders, who will be jumping 75 feet distance and 40 feet high and doing back-flips, side-by-side, three wide and four deep. There’s also BMX, scooter, and inline skates.
Are you going to be trying out some new moves?
I’ve been practising hard the last couple of weeks and I’ve got a couple of new moves I’m pretty stoked about. One is a backflip trick and not many people can do it so I’m excited to show everyone.
Any venue on the tour in particular you’re most looking forward to?
Yeovil is a highlight for me being 40 miles from where I live so there will be lot of friends watching.
How do you make it into Jamie Squibb’s FMX team?
To make it into my team you have to be good at freestyle. There’s only about 8-10 guys in the country that can do it to a decent standard and I’m the best of them.
I noticed in one video you’re wearing a clown outfit…
Well it’s the Nitro Circus! We have a lot of laughs as well. As serious though the riders are we’re also not afraid to laugh at ourselves and look stupid, so as well as being an action sport show it’s also pretty entertaining.
When did you realise Motocross was a viable career option?
I never realised! When I left school freestyle motocross wasn’t even a sport that existed but I just love riding bikes and it just evolved into a career. In my early twenties I’d be skint for a period, then book a couple shows and be living the dream again.
Is it less fun now it’s a career?
It’s not less fun, there’s just a lot more responsibility and stress. Running your own team and being on Nitro Circus is amazing but you have to keep your standard of riding very high and practise all the time to warrant your spot there.
Do you ever worry about injury?
We all get hurt from time to time. It’s an unfortunate part of what is otherwise an awesome sport. I broke my back and that took me out for three months and as I’m talking to you right now I can feel the two vertebrae I crushed…
What’s your dream bike?
The one I’ve got! My 450 Kawasaki. It’s a standard bike but we modify the suspension to handle big jumps.
What’s the motocross scene like in Devon?
As far as the UK goes we’re pretty lucky and we get the better weather and have a fair bit of land down here. I’ve got a ten-acre compound which is full of ramps and dirt jumps and guys from all over the UK come to ride. We have such a good time and always have a BBQ and a few beers at the end of a day’s riding.
Is there one stunt that may not actually be possible but you’re still going to try?
There are many stunts that may not be possible but will be tried. Whether by me or by Travis [Pastrana, founder of Nitro Circus] in Maryland, where he has an incredible setup with sandbags and foam pits so you can try stuff in a marginally safer environment. In fact, I’m hoping to go over there to test some ramps and figure out some crazy stuff.
You might need some travel insurance for that…
Trust me, I won’t be going anywhere near Travis’ place unless I am fully insured!!
Nitro Circus Live will be in the UK from Friday 3rd of June until Sunday 3rd of July. See the Nitro Circus website for dates and tickets. Article by Karen Anne Overton.