Image: John Pearson.

KTM-backed rider Jack Simpson made a positive return to racing last weekend at rounds nine and 10 of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) in New South Wales, which marked his first race since suffering multiple injuries in June.

The popular Victorian raced to 2-3 results throughout the two days in the E1 category, while he went 7-11 Outright, which left the number 17 surprised after several weeks on the sidelines.

“I went into the round with no expectations, I just wanted to get through it and see how the body went,” Simpson explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Whatever after that would be bonus, so yeah, getting on the podium was a bonus.

“It’s weird, I’m a bit disappointed to only get second and third, but then I need to remind myself that I haven’t ridden in two months. But I think if you’re not disappointed, you shouldn’t be out there anyway. That’s why I want to keep chipping away and get back to 100 percent.

“It’s proved to me that I can get through an event, and it’s proved to me that I haven’t really lost too much – I haven’t ridden for two months, and the other blokes have been doing Hattah and everything, so they’re as fit as all hell.”

The defending E1 champion revealed it was a last minute decision to race Kyogle, stating it was only the Wednesday prior that he elected to make the trip north.

“It was Wednesday night when I decided [to ride], and we left Thursday morning,” he continued. “I only rode three times, each time for around a half hour and only used a tank of fuel.”

Missing the previous two rounds has damaged Simpson’s title defence, as he currently sits fifth in the championship standings with two rounds remaining at Omeo in Victoria.