On the Radar: Jamie Baskerville
By Jeff McConkey
Name: Jamie Baskerville
Age: 15
Hometown: Meaford, Ontario
Occupation: I’d love to say racing, but it’s my local Dairy Queen.
Number: 35/135
Bike: KTM 150
Race Club: AMA (GNCC), FMSQ, Offroad-Ontario
Classes: 200B (AMA), Expert (Canada)
Let’s get to know off-road racer, Jamie Baskerville. – Ryan Baskerville Pro photo
How did you get started in racing?
I always get asked this question and honestly, I can’t remember a time when I haven’t loved motorcycles. My dad raced when he was younger and I guess the passion was just in my blood. I didn’t watch Jeremy McGrath on TV or anything like that. Just hearing about motocross and bikes from my dad got me hooked! After begging and begging to get a dirt bike, my parents made me a deal that if I did well in BMX, I could race moto. I got a national championship in 2006 in BMX, so my parents let me race. My family has been supporting me ever since!
What is your favourite track and why?
That’s a tough one! It’s definitely a battle between Glen Helen in Cali, and Red Bud in Michigan. They’re both amazing tracks with lots of elevation change and awesome dirt.
For off-road I’d have to go with the Ironman GNCC. I have some awesome memories there.
Who is your favourite rider and why?
It’s hard to say. There are so many great riders out there and they all have my respect and a heck of a lot of talent. If I had to name one though, it would be Christian Craig. He’s definitely someone I look up too. After suffering a serious injury to his back, he still came back to race. I think it’s awesome he had the courage to come back and continue to fight for a championship.
Jamie’s favourite rider is Christian Craig and he looks up to Canadian racer Tyler Medaglia. – Ryan Baskerville Pro photo
What Canadian Pro do you look up to and why?
Tyler Medaglia. He came to a few GNCC’s this year and killed it! He’s a cool guy to talk to in the pits, as well. Not many guys can show up from a moto background, race for 3 hours in Florida sand and come out with a top 5. He has some gnarly skill on a bike, that’s for sure.
What are your goals for this season?
My goal for this season is just to figure out my 2016. As of now, I’m just jumping back and forth between different disciplines of racing and just getting everything dialed in so I’m ready for whatever 2016 throws at me. [My] main focus though is obviously GNCC, trying to get my fitness up so I can be contending for the win every weekend. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I can get a win in 200B and if I happen to move to the 250f, I hope to get a podium position in the 250B class. My speed is there, now it’s just working to get the fitness of a 3-hour race.
I also plan to get my Pro license for Canadian XC’s and Enduro’s by the end of the summer.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
There have been a lot of awesome opportunities that I’m really thankful for! Being chosen to represent Canada at the FIM JR World Motocross Championships for 2010 and 2011 in the 65cc class was an awesome experience. Unfortunately, in 2010 I could not compete in France due to an injury, but I was able to compete in Italy in 2011. It was great to race outside of North America and see a whole new look on racing. Representing Canada was awesome as well!
Winning GNCC’s, national championships and riding for a lot of awesome teams has also been really cool!
What is your favourite part about going to the races?
Love it or hate it, my favourite time at the races is when the race is over – especially in off-road. There is no better feeling in the world than crossing that finish line, knowing you went through absolute hell to get there. It’s when all the work pays off. I absolutely love racing my dirt bike but nothing can beat that feeling.
His favourite part about going to the races is that feeling you get when you cross the finish line. – Race Day Pics photo
What do you like to do when you aren’t racing?
When I’m not racing, I’m practicing, building trails, riding DH mountain bikes, working on my school, and most of the time editing/filming videos for my video page @findingtomorrowsculture.
Who would you like to thank?
I’ll start off with you, Jeff, for giving me this awesome opportunity. Also, my whole family for supporting me throughout my whole career, Andy White, FXR, TAW Performance, Brembo, WRP, Scott, Forma, Nihilo Concepts, Deft Family, Fuel, Atlas Brace, Matrix, Core, FTC, Golden Tyre, DT1, LB graphics and everyone who has gotten me to this point!
