Some people dream of stepping on a sports podium, for Superbike Cup racer Jon Kirkham that dream was a reality in 2004 not once, not twice but an amazing 19 times! When I first interviewed Jon for this website at the beginning of the year I said we had the possibility of a real star in our midst and Jon's outstanding performance this season has gone to prove that.
 | | Another podium finish for Jon |
Six months later, time which seems to have flown by, and it is time to catch up with Jon again and review what has been, by anyone's standards, an amazing year. Jon has finished the Superbike Cup Championship in second place though at times his season looked set to be cut short. From the outset Jon was up against not only the challenge on the track but getting there in the first place. Despite being one of the most promising young riders in the country, and with offers of a factory ride, Jon had to enter and fund himself into this year's privateers' class when adequate sponsorship could not be secured which would have seen him on one of the leading bikes. This was a huge gamble on Jon and his family's part and, as he told me, there were times when all seemed lost despite the fact he was one of the leaders in the Cup Class. "There have been quite a few times this year when we looked like having to pull out" Jon told me. "At times it was getting really bad and everything we have done, we have done on a minimum budget." Whilst his rivals have had better bikes, the backing to develop their bikes and test, Jon has struggled on without such luxuries and a skeleton team of just three members! And yet, despite all these hardships once on track Jon was always at the front of the Cup Class, an indication of the talent that could at times out ride the machinery. In fact there were times when not only was Jon leading his own class but making massive inroads into the main Superbike challengers and their factory prepared machines. I asked Jon what had been the highlight of his 2004 season and it wasn't a surprise when he answered "Knockhill". "Finishing fifth overall at Knockhill was awesome" recalled Jon, who on his cup bike outgunned such big names as the HM Plant Hondas, the ETI Ducati and a Virgin Mobile Yamaha at the Scottish circuit. "It has been a very strong year" he said, "In the Superbike class there were at least five riders you couldn't bet against; it has been very competitive so to be up near them was amazing. In my class, Cup Class, it was also a very competitive year." And what of low points, other than the obvious stress of a limited budget and wondering whether or not he'd make the next race? "Brands Hatch was a nightmare" remembered Jon. "I had a good start on the Friday and was third overall but on Saturday the rain just dropped down and I had dreadful problems with my helmet steaming up and I couldn't see!" That does sound pretty terrifying yet later in our chat he casually drops in that he broke three ribs at Mallory Park - "surely that must have been the worst moment?!", I exclaimed. "No" said Jon, very matter of fact. "A few broken ribs isn't that bad and besides you get a bit of sympathy for it!" So it is true, bike racers really are a breed apart! In all, Jon bagged four Cup wins amongst his 19 podiums and took the fight to eventual title winner, James Ellison. And his efforts have not gone unrecognised. Superbike Champions Team Rizla Suzuki have kept an eager eye on the young Derby lad and have at times kindly helped him with his privateer Suzuki. Shortly after the season finale at Donington Park Jon received a phonecall from them. "Rizla Suzuki just rang up and asked if I would like to ride one of their championship winning bikes at a non-Championship race at Castle Combe" said Jon. "I couldn't believe it. I was going to get to ride Superbike Champion, John Reynolds's bike!" The bike did not disappoint and despite having never sat on it, let alone race it, Jon put in a blistering performance to finish fourth and sixth at the Castle Combe extravaganza beating many Superbike regulars and just proving once more that he has what it takes for a factory ride. This is now the aim for 2005, to secure a factory Superbike ride with a leading team. "It means a lot of meetings over the next few months" Jon said. "And it would be nice to have something sorted sooner rather than later so I could make the most of winter testing and preparations but it all depends on whether I can secure sponsorship." With British Superbike racing one of the largest spectator sports in the country and receiving huge television coverage with the BBC, it is to be hoped some enterprising person spots the huge potential in sponsoring Jon. And whilst 2005 is strongly in his mind there is also room for ambitions further ahead. "I want to be one of Britain's leading riders" Jon told me, "I want to win the British Championship and it would be a dream to go on to international racing like the World Superbikes and MotoGP." But for now it is back to the hard work of ensuring next year's ride and keeping fit. A winter of physical training, dirt and mountain biking lays ahead of Jon. Watch this space!
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