What's on the schedule for work these days, back to Rolls Royce aircraft engines? Jamie: Just my normal day to day riding schedule, turning some of my plans into reality, and keeping up with my sponsor commitments, I don't think i will have to go and get my old job back anytime soon, but the offer is still there.
Where do you ride in this winter weather and who joins you on the vert ramp and at the park?
Jamie: I have been riding up at Epic skatepark, the vert ramp is nice and the park is good fun, nobody really joins me on the vert, but riding with my friends is always a good time, some of the local kids we hang out with are a treat especially Nicky Croft and Matt Roe, both amazing to watch. Back in the States I am fortunate to have Woodward as the local!
Do you find it harder to progress now that you're not living close to Woodward camp no more?
Jamie: No, it just hurts more when I do push it and come short. It's nice to ride places back home in the UK it keeps me fresh - but I am out here for the season now, working on some new treats.
Do you plan on traveling a lot this summer or are you staying put? Jamie: Oh yes, I will be at all the Dew Action Sports Tour events, X games, Gravity, I don't have time to stay put, especially when you have a young son in tow and a hectic schedule, my down time was -christmas & that is over now.
Is your steering wheel on the left or on the right side these days? What is the steering wheel hooked up to in the UK?
Jamie: Both, but back in the UK it's hooked up to a diesel estate made by the Germans, and a saloon stateside. I just love German cars, vorssprung durch and all that, but that new Bugati Veyron would be worth a test drive, hhmm Would you enjoy car racing or superbike racing on a closed off circuit?
Jamie: Both, I think with cars I would push it hard as I would feel a little more safe, but Superbikes are my love, but require way more skill to push hard around a track. So much to think about, at blinding speeds. I did the demo ride with Randy Mamola in Valencia at the Spanish GP a few years ago on a 2 seater Ducati. 120mph around corners is no joke.
Jamie Bestwick at the Isle of Man any time soon? Jamie: Yeah me and Tim March are going, what a cracking time it would be with that lunatic in tow. Mad flat out racing watching from a pub and camping in a farmers field, top weekend and bonker's action to boot.
What's the latest cool picture you shot?
Jamie: Probably of my son, or maybe the picture of Sergio Layos' fufanu on a 9 foot bank to wall. I try and shoot every day so there is always something cool that comes out of it.
When's the first full Jamie Bestwick photo exposition? Jamie: Probably never. I don't think that my work would be good enough to display for a critical audience. The photo's are for me and my friends if they want them. I would like to go to university and study photography some more. I think when it comes to my own work, I don't hold it in the same value as I see work from others in.
Do you love England?
Jamie: With all of my heart, it's where my family are, all of my friends and anything that I really love is all there. It's just a great place, the food, the fashion, the people, Big Brother, Bullseye, the Lakeside Classic Darts, great music, good times, and that there's a pub at the end of my road, terrific!
Have you been to a football match since you moved back? Jamie: Of course. We even roped my mate Jay into going, which was a small victory in itself, now he's a full on hooligan, Derby all the way I am afraid. Even went to see Man City and Tottenham play, top night out that was. I just love football, i just hate it when Derby get thrashed 6-1
World Cup for England this summer?
Jamie: Too right, and I thought we had a good chance until that idiot Sven Moron opened his big mouth. Why is it so many greedy people get caught out like that? He saw all that cash and decided that selling out our national team would be more beneficial for him. Aside from all the bad mouthing he did of top teams, players and shagging the odd FA secretary or two, I was quite happy to see him suckered into that whole scam they had going, fake sheiks eh. The best thing that can happen to that bloke is for him to go and replace him with Bobby George the darts player. He will have about the same amount of football knowledge as Sven, but Bobby has way more bling, check out the rings on his hands and the necklace that was used to keep the QE2 in place when it was in port, bling bling Bobby on the oche!
Thanks Jamie
Jamie: Cheers Bart
Pics: Jared Souney and BdJ
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.