Love him or hate him, there is no doubt that Errol Willis is back. And when we say back, he’s smarter, tougher and more prepared to fight for what he loves than ever before. Willis, famous for his ‘I’m number one’ attitude after taking out the Under 19s motocross and supercross titles in 2011, got a pretty tough reality check when his failure to perform in the MX2 class in 2012, saw him left without a ride in 2013. Since then, Willis has had a year off full time racing, got himself a job, and re emerged on the racing scene as a brand new person… on and off the track.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Since returning to racing you seem like a completely new person, what has changed in your life this year that has made you so different?

I got a real wake up call after being in the position that I was in with Suzuki, and then getting thrown out onto my arse. I had to go and get a real job, and learn what the real world is like, and for me that was the biggest wake up call I could get. That’s taught me so much, and allowed me to change myself.

You experienced so much success, so young, and then got a pretty big reality check in 2013 when you were left without a ride. How hard was that time in your life?

It was a really hard time in my life; I went though a fair bit of crap. But I think I’ve come out a better person from it now, and to be honest I wouldn’t change it for the world.

You see people like Adam Monea who had time away from racing and then returned to the scene as a force to be reckoned with. Do you think the break was what you needed at the time?

At the time I didn’t think so, but now when I reflect back on it, it really was what I needed. I needed to find out what the real world was like, and figure out that there is a life after racing. I think now I’m going to set myself up for a future that hopefully involves motocross, but I know now that’s not the only thing that’s there.

Was it a hard decision to come back to racing full time?

It’s a hard decision financially because I’m paying for everything myself, and just have a couple of sponsors on board. The hardest thing is the financial part and getting time off work to go racing. Besides that, the decision for me was easy. It’s what I love, and it’s where I want to be.

How has racing changed since you last competed full time?

Now I definitely feel like when I get a good result I’m much happier about it. I used to never be happy with second or anything like that previously, because I felt like I had to win everything. I had people pressuring me and myself putting pressure on me to win and that’s all I cared about. Now, I go to the races and I have a good time with my brother, or my family or whoever is there, and do the best we can. Then to get results like we did at Conondale, we feel like we really deserve it.

Since returning you have had great results at Wonthaggi, Swan Hill and now Conondale. Have you been doing something different this year that is helping you result-wise?

I think working is actually what is the big difference this year. I feel more headstrong sitting on the line, and I feel ready for it. Plus no matter what comes at me I have had worse times during the week, or throughout the last year so I feel lucky to be there regardless.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Is sticking it to the factory guys something that is really important to you?

Yeah definitely, but there is more a select few people that I want to beat. This two-stroke, four-stroke thing that they have going on in the MX2 class; I haven’t got a care in the world for any of it. I actually think it’s harder riding a two-stroke than a four-stroke. There are guys I want to beat, but then there are guys that I like having good races with too.

You have opted to race a 250 two-stroke this year, what exactly pushed you towards the YZ250?

Last yeah Yamaha decided to give me a bit of help this year, and that’s the bike that they offered me. But also financially, it actually wouldn’t have been possible this year without riding a two stroke. At the moment I’m $11,000 behind, and paying $600 a week off, even before the season started. That $11,000 is money that I owe so I can go racing this year. If I were on a four-stroke, that money would hardly be enough to get one bike ready let alone the three that I’ve had this year.

Where do you want to be next year?

Next year I definitely want to try and get a Serco ride. That’s where I’m setting my goals. I have no idea if they are even interested or anything, but that has been my dream ride since I was a little kid. That’s where I want to be, and would love to move myself up there with the team and come back and win an MX2 championship.

What advice would you give to an MXD rider who might be in the same position that you were in after winning your Under 19s title?

The biggest advice I would give is that don’t think racing is the end of the world. MXD is MXD, but MX2 is a whole new ballgame. I mean Nathan Crawford performed well in MX2, but then didn’t do what he needed to do in MXD. Racing is racing and you never know what is going to happen. If you get a big head, you’re never going to go far in the sport.

Thanks for the chat Errol, and good luck at Raymond Terrace.

No problems, really appreciate it.