JOSH Hook was still a teenager when he set out to become a professional motorcycle rider.
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However, the now 27-year-old revealed he thought his career was over following a short and unsuccessful stint in the World Superbikes in 2016 with the Grillini Racing Team.
Hook left the team early in the championship and finished up riding the season in the British Superbikes. He confirmed in a video interview to appear on the Manning River Times on Friday May 29 that he was disillusioned with the sport and he returned to Taree to look for another line of employment.
The offer of a replacement ride in the World Endurance Championship with Japanese team FCC TSR Honda rekindled his love of racing. Hook is now a fulltime member of the team, dividing his time between Europe and Australia to meet commitments with the World Endurance Championship and the MotoE World Cup. He won an world endurance title with FCC TSR Honda two seasons ago.
During the interview Hook recalls the early days when he started riding at the Old Bar Roadside Circuit with Taree Motorcycle Club, his progress to racing professionally, riding in the Troy Bayliss Classic and his plans for the future.
He also explains the challenges involved, both physically and mentally, with endurance racing, particularly 24 hour events including the famous Le Mans in France.
The video will feature on the Manning River Times website at 3pm on Friday May 29.
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