Jacob Hook Returns for Second Season

NEWS Saturday 10th December 2022, 7:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Edinburgh Monarchs are bringing back 20 year old Australian Jacob Hook to build on what he learnt in his first season, and to see how far he can go in 2023.

The young Aussie, a finalist in the recent Australian Under-21 Championship, scored an acceptable 114 points in his debut season in the UK, and impressed with his tidy style, but feels there is a lot more he can do.

Jacob said, "I'm super excited to be coming back next season, I really enjoyed my first year. I found it a tougher year than I thought it would be, I had expected to do a lot better but I have learnt a lot."

Jacob is aware that he will need to be getting out the traps a bit quicker next summer. "I have to agree that my gating was not as good as it should be. When I got out in front I was able to stay there. I have been trying different things with my clutches, I did try something at the last meeting last season which seemed to work so that will be my starting point when I am back over."

He added, "The team spirit with the Monarchs was great last year. Sam and Josh led the team well and the rest of us just chipped away, and as the season went on we became a real team. We were definitely written off at the start but in the end we did fairly well.

"I did find Armadale quite tricky at first but I gradually came to like it more than most of the tracks. It can give you a home track advantage."

Most Aussie youngsters find that British racing gives them a boost when they return to their home tracks. Jacob said, "Back home I definitely feel more confident because of what I have learnt in Britain, I have more idea of setups. I haven't had much luck here though, I was T-boned in my first meeting and after that I have used loaned machinery. In the Under-21s I had a burnt out clutch in the final.

"Coming up on the 17th I have the Darcy Ward Invitational with the likes of Adam Ellis in it. Chris and Jack Holder were due to be riding but I think they have now switched to the rearranged New South Wales titles. I was going to be doing some meetings at Mildura but the floods there will prevent that.

"I will also be relaxing a bit and preparing for next season, training. My bikes from last year are still in Scotland and I intend on using these. I might bring over another engine, I haven't decided. At the end of last season I did buy an engine – not new but one new to me.

"I will probably be over by mid-March, I have to sort out a van and I will be going to Poland where I have linked up with Grudziadz. I think they pick their team weekly and I hope to get plenty of outings with them which should help my racing for the Monarchs."

2023 Monarchs: Josh Pickering, Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook.