Going into this weekend’s third round of the Power Maxed Arenacross series at the Genting Arena in Birmingham the British fans will be looking for somebody to support, in their young riders go head to head with the ever-powerful French.

While most riders are racing for money, some are doing it for the passion of the sport. Some have a full-time job, but still give it 100% in their training and preparation and Jack Brunell is one of those guys.

The Team Green Holeshot Kawasaki rider works during the week as an Air-Condition engineer, and on weekends he gives his all indoors, at the moment in the Power Maxed Arenacross series in the UK, a series where he is the leading British rider.

In his mid-20’s Brunell enjoyed racing as much as ever and the Old Windsor rider, who won the famous King of Chemnitz in Germany and has been one of the most talented indoors riders in Europe for some time now is looking at this weekends Birmingham round of the Power Maxed Arenacross to silent the current domination of the French riders.

We caught up with the Brit as he was flying across the English Channel to get some dry weather riding in before the weekend.

MXlarge: So where are you at the moment with this terrible weather?

Brunell: Yes, I am in Goes in Holland. They have a race this weekend and I am able to use the track. I would normally race in Goes this weekend, but we have a round of the Arenacross this weekend in Birmingham. The weather is too bad in England at the moment.

MXlarge: How do you feel your rounds have gone, the first two rounds?

Brunell: First two rounds have been good, I made the finals without any head to heads, so no drama and that is the goal for this year, just to stay consistent. We want to make all the finals and keep progressing.

MXlarge: It seems as usual the French are really on fire and have dominated the first two rounds. You are the top French guy and sixth in the championships. What’s the story with the French and their domination?

Brunell: To be fair, we are not far off pace wise, we are good there, but the starts, I have been getting a little bit bad starts and had to come from behind. Everyone is so close, so a bad start or a mistake makes it difficult. The French are strong, they are coming off a strong indoor season in France and we haven’t really raced much. The first two rounds we haven’t been that far off them, so that is good.

MXlarge: And the next round is in Birmingham, which is often a good one for the Brits or not?

Brunell: Yes, normally I do well there. The dirt is really good, so they make it technical. Obviously, the French guys are really good on that also, but it suits me more.

MXlarge: I always hear from the riders that the atmosphere is really good, does that also make it better for you guys?

Brunell: Yes, the atmosphere is really good, but again, like I said, the dirt is so good, so they make hard rhythm sections, and that is fun and also means more overtaking places.

MXlarge: I understand you are an Air-Condition engineer. How does that work when you are racing like six weekends in a row?

Brunell: I work for a company, so I only get like 24 days off. I hadn’t had any time off until this week, last week I worked five days and then raced on the weekend. I got a day off this week to come to Holland to ride. So, after riding in Holland on Tuesday, I had to drive back to England, get home around 2am, then be at work around 6.30. I try and sleep on the way back and then Friday we go to Birmingham.

MXlarge: I am guessing the French guys, they are all professional or not?

Brunell: Everyone in the series are all pro’s. I have a mortgage and need to pay that. I just do the racing for fun. My boss knows I do the racing and he gives me a little free time if I need it.

MXlarge: The arenacross is a lot of weekends in a row. They talk about the AMA Supercross, but the arenacross is also tough. How do you do that when you also work so much during the week?

Brunell: Obviously if you are tired you train less, but its hard when you have a full-time job and you are getting home at 4pm, then motivate yourself to go training and then clean everything and get to the races, but I think its great weekend after weekend. I love it. It is like 12 weeks now, what with a race I have in Denmark, also those two arenacross races in Belgium and Germany.

MXlarge: As far as the series, it just looked better and better as far as the show goes and the presentation. What is your opinion?

Brunell: It is really good this year, a lot better. A really good show for the arenacross. It is more about the show than the racing, but its good fun.

MXlarge: What about being top brit, is that important?

Brunell: All I do is go to the race and if I am top Brit at the end. I have been top brit in rounds one and two, and that is good. Its good for your confidence to know I am still working full time and still top brit. I just need to stay consistent.

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