DAVID JEFFERIES

David Jefferies needs no introduction. In the last two years, the 28-year-old Yorkshire man has won just about every meeting he has entered.

He has won six TT races in two years, including the record busting Senior race this year, where he upped the lap record to an amazing 125mph. He also won a hat trick at last years North West 200, and has won three races in only two visits to the Ulster Grand Prix. Add victory at last years Macau Grand Prix, countless wins at Scarborough and a British Production Championship Crown, and you get the picture.

Now after tasting the British Superbike scene with a couple of Stand-In rides for the Virgin Yamaha Team this year, he now has the chance to compete at this level full time with the 02+/Page 3.com team aboard a factory Ducati.

We spoke with him days after it was confirmed that he would be a full time British Championship Contender for 2001.

David, first of all can I ask you about the new team and your plans for next year. You must be happy with the new set up and confident of gaining success in the BSB Championship?

Yes I am. The British Superbike Championship is the best domestic series in the world and to be finally given the chance of competing on proper factory Ducati’s is brilliant!  I have an excellent team behind me in O2 Plus so I am sure 2001 will be a great year.

Did you speak to any other teams before-signing with O2+?

No not really.  Most teams don’t know what they are doing yet.

As we now know, this means that you will be missing next years TT. How difficult was this decision was that to make?

Very difficult.  O2 Plus offered me the ride on the condition that I did not compete anywhere else except the BSB championship.  I had to do a lot of soul searching to say ‘yes’.  The TT I have enjoyed and it has been a brilliant stepping-stone for me but the chance to compete with a high profile team on the best bikes was too good to say no.

And what about the North West 200? Will we see you there next year?

No and Yes!!  No I won’t be competing but yes I will probably be spectating!!

Going back to the TT, can I ask you about this years events? You must have been delighted to score another hat trick of wins?

Yes I was pleased.  I was most chuffed about setting the fastest ever lap record!  I was lucky because early on in the week I managed to get lots of practise in and get my bike set up, others didn’t because towards the end of the week the conditions got really bad which hampered practise.  My bike felt good and worked well all week and I went out and won! I’ve now won every class that I have competed in, at the TT, which makes me feel good.

And can I ask you about Joey Dunlop? Obviously you would like to think that you could have won the Formula One Race had you not broken down and of course we’ll never know what might have happened. But how highly did you rate Joey’s performance during that race?

The conditions were ideal for Joey; he knew every bump, rut and wet patch on the road! Joey went off from the start at full pace it took me several laps to get up to race speed!  There won’t be anyone who will match Joey.

What were your feelings after the news broke of his tragic accident?

I was at Silverstone when news started going around in whispers about his death.  At first I just thought ‘these are only rumours they cannot be true’.  When I found out it was the truth I was in total shock I could not believe it had actually happened.

Do you think that we can ever expect to see you racing at the TT again after this year?

I wouldn’t rule it out.  I earn good money from it but more importantly I love it.  Next season will be hard missing it.  However, in the future who knows?  Get the right team and package and I could be back!

You were due to be racing at The Macau Grand Prix next month. Will you still be going there?

Certainly will. It will be the last ride for V&M!  I wouldn’t miss it for the world!  I will race and then have a bit of a holiday at the end!

And does this new deal mean the end of the all-conquering David Jefferies/V&M Partnership?

Unfortunately yes for the time being.  V&M have been a professional team and a partnership that has been very good.  That is the way it is though, I am now going in to British Superbikes with an excellent team and am looking forward to it.

So going back to the British Championship, there will be high expectations on you to perform on such good quality machinery next season, but how do you think you will perform?

I am confident.  I proved that I could get results on the Virgin Yamaha this season, which confirmed that I am not just a good road racer.  I won the British Superstock Championship which halfway through the season looked as though it had been wrapped up by my team mate Matt Llewellyn.  I am going to do everything now to get myself fit, focused and generally in shape to set me up for next year.  This is definitely the best time to be going into the championship.

How close to the Ducati’s being used in WSB will the bikes you and Matt ride be?

Don’t know.  The factory WSBK team always has the advantage; our bike will be like the WSBK from this season.  Nobody else will get bikes like us in the BSB championship unless they are from the factory as well? 

Your Production Championship title and the experience gained from the Virgin Yamaha rides should stand you in good stead for the season. From this experience, who do you think are going to be the main contenders for the Championship, bearing in mind there are still some rides up for grabs?

With Neil Hodgson going and the possibility of Chris Walker and James Haydon also departing the man that springs to mind is John Reynolds.  He is smooth, consistent and has been there so many times before.  After him it is a lottery.  I would say there are several people who have a good shout, with the likes of Matt my team mate, me, Sean Emmett and Steve Plater.

Looking further into the future, do you see yourself moving into WSB at some stage and if so, do you consider this opportunity as the ideal stepping-stone?

Definitely.  Look at what Neil Hodgson and Chris Walker have achieved.  Neil is going back to WSBK for next season and Chris could be on his way too.  McWilliams is 36 and is still competitive I am only 28, which gives me at least 8 years!!

Thank you for taking the time to speak to us, and we wish you all the best for the coming season.

Interview by Paul Phillips
*Special Thanks to Tiny Cooper for setting up the Interview for us.

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