Damon Rees is a special person. Not just coming from an amazing family with history of racing Superbikes and winning SBK Championship Titles, but personally and professionally Damon has taken on board challenge to fulfill deep passion to race to his best possible ability.
Achieving race-craft through racing NZ’s SBK Series over number of years, then embarking of rookie year racing Australia’s SBK Championship, Damon has extended his career path taking up opportunity to race under British Team Astro JJR Racing with all important financial support from Carl Cox Motorsport.
Unfortunately, COVID disrupted everything. Disappointment aside, Damon’s resilience turned the forced situation around- gaining fresh perspective on sustaining physical fitness, healthy eating, better work-life balance, and as it has turned out, gained greater amount of bike-time in preparation for new British SBK calendar recently announced.
‘Then with the Covid-19 Pandemic, our whole world was flipped upside down! It was hugely disheartening at first as I had moved over to the other side of the world to race, and there was a while there when we didn’t even know if the BSB season would go ahead. But, I realized that it all may have been a blessing in disguise’.
‘The lockdown gave me an opportunity to eat sleep and breathe like an athlete. I was able to train hard, eat well and focus entirely on my preparation for racing without the restrictions of having to work. Of course, gyms are currently closed, but my partner, Talia and I have created a pretty decent gym in our apartment lounge! Haha. And now that things are opening back up again, I’ve managed to get in a lot more pre-season testing that wouldn’t have happened if the original schedule went ahead. I’ve had a lot more seat-time on the bike than what I was originally expecting. So yes, it’s been a difficult time, but I’ve made the most of it no matter what’.
With ultimate career pathway in the pipe-line for some time, it takes break-down of steps taken to understand how the process evolved. Living and racing in New Zealand and Australia is one task to tick off the ‘wish-list’ but racing in the UK – heartland of Motorsport- is quite another.
Damon has great role models to look up to. Dad and Mum- Tony and Vicky Rees exemplify importance of solid work ethic within Motorsport industry having established Tony Rees Motorcycles in Whakatane, home town in 1994. With Tony having accumulated numerous Motorcycling Championships for near on 3 decades, Dad’s induction into Motorcycling New Zealand Hall of Fame speaks volumes on what this amazing family, with brother Mitch aspires to achieve.
SC: To race British SBK Championship is pretty awesome opportunity, under Astro JJR Racing and supported by Carl Cox Motorsport. What were key factors in making the decision to race in the UK?
‘Yep, it’s truly a dream come true!
‘And then, of course there is a massive financial side to racing in general, let alone internationally. I already had a great relationship with Carl Cox Motorsport and Carl had supported my racing in ASBK. I thought there was something special about me racing in BSB as England is Carls “Homeland” and I really wanted to represent him in his home championship. Carl agreed to help, and is my main sponsor for my 2020 BSB Championship Campaign. I can’t thank Carl enough for his support and I am really proud to be representing Carl Cox Motorsport in BSB!’
It is quite rare to have 2 Kiwi’s racing under same Team in Britain’s National SBK Series, with Shane Richardson providing key support to aid Damon’s quest to race the inaugural Championships. Given Shane’s own experience and talent to achieve top results having finished 2019 BSB Superstock 600 Championship in 2nd place, the duo racers will surely turn heads come Round One at Donington Park on August 7th.
Damon: ‘Yet again, it’s a dream come true! Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m here, on the other side of the world, riding on circuits I’ve only seen on TV. Personally, I have always wanted to follow in the steps of my dad – he is my hero, so to be able to race internationally just like he did, means so much to me. I also feel like it’s a way to thank him, and my mum for all they have done for me leading up to this time in my career!
It is quite a journey, from growing up in Whakatane, surrounded by such awesome family so keen and enthusiastic about Motorsport to where Damon is today- not to mention all the years in between. SC: Did you have quite certain plan on how you wanted to develop your racing career- from racing within NZ SBK Championship- to Australia SBK Championships then if all went well and bit of luck thrown in- to racing in Europe?
Damon: ‘Yep, I am really lucky to have the childhood I did. I have lived & breathed motorsport since I was born, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way! To be honest – there wasn’t an exact “plan” it’s just how it worked out. A big reason I chose to race in ASBK was because the level of racing. It’s a big step up from New Zealand. We also had a very passionate mechanic – Rod Spora willing to help us. He actually helped dad race in Australia back in the day, so it was awesome for Rod to then help me and my brother, Mitch! Also financially, Australia is a lot cheaper than other international championships as we didn’t have to pick up our lives and move somewhere, we just flew back and forth for each round. I also had the help of Honda Australia last season which was great’.
‘Then when it came to BSB, you could say, it had a lot to do with knowing the right people to make it happen. I had always wanted to race in BSB as it is the best domestic championship in the world, and has proven to be a great stepping-stone for racers to progress in the career’.
As ever, Damon is most humble person I know. From when we first filmed Damon racing with Dad- Tony and brother Mitch at NZ’s 6 Hour Endurance Race in 2016, to 4 years later speaking with him from other side of the world, Damon’s character is one to be admired. SC: What do you think are your best attributes as a person to be able to deal with the challenges, the disappointments, the success of racing Motorsport?
Damon: ‘A huge one is appreciating the people who have got me to where I am. Loyalty means a lot to me, and I believe it can go a long way. I am so thankful to everyone who has helped my career so far, from my family, my partner, sponsors and even the people who come up and say “hi” at race meetings, they all have helped me to achieve my dreams so I can’t thank them all enough. They are also a huge motivation for me, I want to make them proud’.
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