Some mornings I wake up and think have I really won a World Championship... or two! But most mornings I wake up and think what can I achieve next?

As far back as I can remember I’ve had an urge to get up and go. I was born in Sydney but after a few years my parents moved north into the country. I grew up in a small town called Quirindi and I feel fortunate that I had the chance to appreciate country life. I loved school, I had a lot of good friends and was just happy doing stuff, all sorts of stuff. I’m still the same today. I like different sports and I like different professions. I am always intrigued by those who are very good at what they do. It doesn’t matter whether it’s garbage collecting or acting in a movie.

Everything I do I try to do it better than anyone else. I don’t know how to describe the emotion behind that but I guess it comes from the saying ‘Why go at all if you’re not going all the way’. It’s probably the competitive nature in me but in no way is it conceit. In fact, I’ve never had a lot of confidence.

My persona is quite diverse. I can drink in a pub with truck drivers and I can dine at Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. I can muscle someone aside on a racetrack and I can sit in the gutter to help a homeless person. I can listen to Celine Dion and I can listen to AC/DC.

My life had been a little unguided. I went for everything, made the most of anything and did the best I could. My family were not wealthy by any means but the foundations were strong. Even though my mum and dad divorced when I was very young, the values they instilled in me are something I am very proud of. I guess we were a rich family living in a poor house. Since becoming a father, the values from my upbringing are more evident than ever. My life is totally centred around my family. Everything I do is either to provide for them, care for them and make them smile.



My love and passion for motorcycles began when I was in school. I would watch bikes go past our school at lunch time and the guys riding them looked so cool. I wanted to do that! Riding motorbikes was one thing racing them was another. My dad did not want me to race bikes and my mum hated the idea and it eventually pushed us apart. I don’t have grudges but I think racers that have the support of their family are very fortunate. My parents were just concerned and thought there were better things to do in life. I do understand but if my son wants to race motorbikes, I will support him 100%. If he wants to do something else, I will be a little relieved and support him just the same.

When I left school I had to buy a motorbike. I started an apprenticeship as an automotive technician but within 1 year I was re-trenched as the business went downhill. Immediately I looked towards Sydney. Within 1 week I had a job and was moving back to where I was born. Living and working on Sydney's north shore was a great time in my life. I had my friends in the country that I would ride home to see every weekend and I lived in a vibrant area of Sydney.

I soon learnt that distance stretches friendship which would also haunt me later in life when I moved to London. As much as I thought my life was unguided, I look back now and it seems everything was meant to be. I met new people, did new things and had a bad accident! This was the start of racing. I had no idea about racing but when I spent 6 weeks in hospital recovering from a collision with a car that did not stop I knew I had to ride motorbikes somewhere other than on public roads.

Of all the things I have done, racing is the most amazing addiction and something I have devoted my life to. I lost a 3 year relationship with a girl because of racing and that hurt. I then lost a 10 year relationship with my soul mate because of racing which nearly killed me. But through all that, I have never lost the hunger to win. I am hungrier than ever. I think maybe it’s because I am getting older and still want to prove that I can beat everyone but the desire inside is still just to ride the motorbike faster and better than everyone else.

Away from racing, I am a very lucky guy. My wife Kris has watched and waited through so many difficult situations. She is my heart. Our son Aston is the only greater addiction I have other than racing. I love him so much and feel amazed that I am now on his journey wherever that may take him.