Tye Simmonds' privateer effort has been impressive so far in 2012. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Tye Simmonds is in a rejuvenated mood after stepping back and creating his own team for 2012, after multiple years riding for the JDR/KTM Factory Racing team.

Simmonds set up the Honda/Red Bull/Simmonds Racing Team in the final hour before the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series was set to commence, and so far he’s been rewarded with podiums at Coonabarabran and Murray Bridge.

Throughout the season Simmonds has progressively improved, despite the logistic challenges and additional work that have been applied as team owner/racer.

“I’ve got the spark back that I needed,” said Simmonds. “The whole JDR crew is a big family and it’s one of the best teams out there, but I’d been in that environment for a long time and I was a little bit stale. There was nothing else we could do.

“So we stepped back, did our own thing and it’s brought that spark back into my racing. That’s what I really needed.”

Simmonds currently sits fifth overall in points after five rounds of Monster Energy MX Nationals racing.