Jason
Finn - an extract from FHM Magazine Jason Finn - an extract from FHM "….I guess I was destined to do something tricky with two wheels. I started on a BMX bike and for some reason found it quite easy to do all the tricks and it just went from there. No idea where it came from - it's not like I was a child prodigy or anything like that. I didn't start riding trials bikes until I was eighteen and I thought it was a bit late in the day to start thinking of World Titles and British Championships. But I loved riding and the indoor stuff just appealed to me. I wasn't really into the mud and cold so it had to be indoors and lucky for me there was an audience for it. "I did a few shows, nothing big at first and I soon got the reputation of being the 'Car Park Kiddy' which suited me fine. One thing led to another and I was then booked to do bigger stuff which has gone on to things like the Formula 1 at Silverstone, World and British Superbikes, The Louis Vuitton Classic Car Show, Beaulieu Motor Weekend, The Isle Of Man TT, TV appearances - it just snowballed really and the general response has been quite overwhelming. "It's funny how things progress. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was riding around on Fantic 243's and 303's before being totally awe-struck with a Senor Jordi Tarres. That was a turning point for me. The way he threw that Beta around, the leg-waving, that suit! (Which I now own incidentally!) - the whole package just blew me away. A true, bonafide individual. That was it! I bought a Beta!"(laughs) Yeah, things have changed a bit. I've gone from turning up at a wet and windy arena trial in a Nissan pick-up with my bike lying on its side on top of a pile of rubbish to having a Mercedes Sponsored transporter, three sponsored Montesas, two Benelli paddock scooters, a mechanic and good mate and stunt co-ordinator in Craig Clemons. Dad only bought me the BMX bike to keep me out of trouble. Ha! Watching Jason Finn controlling a trial's bike is something that anyone who rides can learn from. You might not need to ride sections on your front wheel with your legs draped over the handlebars but if you could you probably would! Let's face it there is a special kind of talent at work here. The reason for the unwavering fondness for the shows is that despite the obvious showmanship par excellence just about everyone watching knows just how hard it is navigate a road cone without putting a foot down. Seeing someone scrape their back mudguard - a mudguard as short as the Montesa's - is a mind-boggling experience. Throw in front-wheel wheelies at close to 50 miles an hour, pin-point hops over a willing (not-so-willing!) assistant and inch-perfect near misses and you tend to get the picture very clearly. Awe-inspiring, definitely! But more than that you just know that if you tried it yourself you wouldn't get very far. There is more to it than a huge handful of throttle! This is a combination of 100% commitment, dedication, extreme fitness and passion. That's what makes a Jason Finn Freestyle show just that little bit more special. In all sports, in all walks of life, someone appears that not only breaks the mould but also sets the trend for the ones that follow. Jordi Tarres took trials away from the Belstaff jacket, flat cap and welly brigade and made it a far more colourful affair. Whoever becomes the next big thing in Trials Freestyle riding will in no small way owe their inspiration to a certain Mr Finn. Check out a show. You will see exactly what I mean.
From an early age I've always been a bit of a speed freak. I competed in motocross for 8 years, first on 125's before moving to 250's eventually on to 500's. It was a great experience but I felt as though I wasn't testing myself enough so I made a move into road racing. That pretty much stretched my nerve to the limit. I travelled up and down the country competing and all in all it was a fantastic time but I'm always looking for a new challenge and when Jason asked me to join the show I took the plunge. The fast lane gave way to something altogether different and I'm still there after three seasons and what's more I wouldn't change it for anything. I thought I travelled a bit with my other interests but nothing compared to this. We virtually cover the four corners of the British Isles and Ireland and soon we'll be covering Europe and America too. It's a hard life………… Riding crossers and road bikes is exciting stuff but ultimately you're the one pulling the strings. Confidence comes in knowing your bike and your own capabilities. With the freestyle show I have to put that confidence in someone else's ability and to be honest there is only one person on the planet I would do that for and that's Jason. When someone is hurtling towards you on their front wheel at 50 mph and missing you by a whisker you have to have 100% trust and thankfully I have that. I'm more than comfortable putting my body on the line in the name of entertainment; it's something that is second nature to me now. And anyway, I can always close my eyes! Craig's job is scary. How do I know that? Because I was mad enough to do it for a short while. Believe me - what looks good to the audience can be sheer terror for the man-in-the-middle. Consider it, lying prone, legs apart wearing no protection, parts of your body that could be used for better things exposed to 160Kg of man and machine racing towards you on one wheel, the rider slightly un-sighted, the engine screaming up through the gears. From that flat, helpless position you can just lift your head enough to see the rider come into view - but it's better not to look at all. God no! The engine noise cuts through your head. Closer. Closer. Your mind races : What if…… And then the deathly silence, the silence that tells you that a very hard front wheel is heading your way and the only thing stopping it is a small metal disc and two pads the size of a matchbox - and did you check those last night? Was that fluid dripping over the disc…….. What if the rider had a bad night's sleep? What if….And how about….And he looked at me funny this morning…Oh God!…RuunnNNNNNNN! And then the applause, a huge roar and, for now at least, you are still the same shape. The bike is between your legs and the tyre IS touching you but you didn't feel a thing. Pah! This is kid's stuff. Only it isn't. Craig's job as an integral part of the show can't be emphasised enough. His total faith in Jason's ability allows the tricks to 'work' giving it that professional, clinical finish. I've watched many times from the side lines and I, along with the crowd, have 'moved' for him. A little twist here, a leg-cross there. This professionalism is derived from countless hours of practise, working together relentlessly to see what is possible and what isn't. Check out the 'Precision Misses' where timing and flexibility play a major role and the 'Endo-Catch' where synchronised balance stops the bike dead. Fantastic teamwork. Some people fantasise about jobs that can be done lying down. Five minutes in Craig's shoes might change that fantasy for good.
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