25-year-old Bacchus Marsh resident Lewis Woods has had a great season so far. As well as claiming the South Privateer Cup at the MX Nationals, Woods has earned a spot with Penrite Oil Honda Racing to race the upcoming Australian Supercross Championship in the SX2 class. With so much going on this year, we thought it was high time we caught up with him and get his fast thoughts on a range of topics.

Image: Marc Jones Photography.

Signing with Penrite Oil Honda Racing for the Australian Supercross Championship…

I’d been speaking to team manager Yarrive Konsky for a few months during the motocross season. We’d talked about having a go at one of the rounds of the MX Nationals like Riley Graham and Daniel Banks did, but then the opportunity came up after the MX Nationals to race the supercross for them instead and I jumped at it. I was racing the MX1 class at the time and when they asked me for my weight for the bike set-up they realised I’m still light and they put me on the CRF250R to race the SX2 class instead. I was pumped on that. I got the bike last week and I love riding it so much. The amount of support I receive through the team is crazy and all of my personal sponsors are pumped that I’ve been given this opportunity.

Training with the Honda team…

We had a Penrite Honda ride day at Frankston on Sunday, where both Jay Marmont and myself came down, and had the semi there, as well as the Penrite guys and other team sponsors. I thought it was going to be more of a play-ride, but we did about as much testing as I usually do in a month! We played with the gearing and the bars and spent time getting the bike suited to me. The team also hooked me up with parts and I pick up some suspension today to start working on the base settings. We’ll fine-tune them next week at my parents’ track and at the local ride park that helps me out. Having the team based only an hour away is definitely a big advantage.

Having Jay Marmont as a teammate…

It’s crazy to be next to Jay. I’ve obviously raced against him and we had a few battles this year, but to be under the same truck as him and being able to ask him questions is awesome. Last Sunday at Frankston was one of the best days I’ve had on the bike for years.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Winning the Privateer South Cup at the MX Nationals…

It was great for the MX Nationals promoters to add North and South Privateer Cups to this year’s championship, and it was great to win the South Cup. It’s always good to be able to give back to your sponsors and get the recognised for all the effort they put in. I’m so thankful for our family business Snapes Logistics and the Goulett family, who drove me to all the races; without them it would’ve been a real struggle to go racing this year. I really would’ve like to have won the Jono Porter Cup at Coolum but I came up a bit short this year.

Dropping back to the Lites for supercross…

I’ve kinda been switching back and forth between the 450cc and 250cc bikes for a while, and to be honest, I opted to ride the MX1 class this year because it’s easier for privateers. You’re not riding the bike as hard so the maintenance isn’t as high, you don’t have to put so much money into engine work, and it’s the elite class that gets more recognition. At the same time, being 70kg means I’m the perfect weight for a 250. I raced the Lites in 2012 and I don’t like racing against the two-strokes, but I believe the four-stroke will be really competitive in supercross. I’ve ridden five of the past seven days and I feel really strong on it.

House renovations…

I bought a 10-year-old house in Bacchus Marsh and I’ve built a new shed that I can use as a workshop and store my bikes there. I’m also doing up the back yard, adding a pergola and some retaining walls. Every week I do a little bit, but this week I’m hammering away at it. Things are about to get pretty crazy with supercross testing and I want to get as much done as possible while I can.