Privateer Profile: Jack Kukas
In our latest Privateer Profile on Inside Dirt, we caught up with Jack Kukas, fresh from his fine showing at MX Farm, to get his thoughts on how his 2024 has played out so far.
How has the 2024 season been for you?
The season started pretty average for me, coming into the first round I felt I had a really strong pre-season with the 00 Elite crew and had great speed during the week, but just wasn’t able to execute it on race days.
Horsham, I had a collision with another rider, followed by another big crash, which ruled me out of the day and the following round at Gillman. Ever since returning at Maitland, I have been getting better every round, which led to my 3-8 moto scores at MX Farm, landing me tied for third overall, but dropping to fourth overall on count back.
Give us some insight into your privateer program and all involved that help make it happen?
I run a complete privateer program, so I’m very lucky to have Steve from Shephard Transport Equipment as my race day mechanic. That has been a huge help in getting my bikes to the rounds. Financially it’s difficult to manage sometimes, stressful if anything. All things bike maintenance related, such as chains, sprockets, tires etc, I pay full price for, so sometimes if I have a bad weekend, it makes it that little bit worse.
I do have great sponsors like the Lusty crew that have all the gear side of things sorted. James Mutton from Brisbane Motorcycles has me on Race plan Husqvarnas. Todd Waters from Raceline offered some awesome support for the engine side of things. My mum and dad help me if I fall short financially and it’s good to know I have their full support regardless of results. Nathan from 00 Elite pushes me every week on the track, and without all those people I wouldn’t be able to line up, so I’m very thankful I can still keep this dream alive.
What’s the average week in the life of Jack Kukas like?
I’m actually in the process of finishing my Carpentry apprenticeship, so I work three days minimum a week, four days if I can fit it in. I generally train on-bike three days a week and am in the gym or getting some low heart rate cardio in five to seven days. My schedule alters a lot depending on when races are and how my bike maintenance is. Obviously there’s a lot of maintenance riding as much as I do. It’s important I plan ahead, so I don’t fall short on any parts of my program.
Thoughts on racing overseas?
I actually raced in America in 2018 with the support of the Campbell family. I ended up breaking my wrist at Loretta’s and missing the Junior world titles at Horsham that year, but was thankful to get a ride on WBR for 2019. Unfortunately again, I did my ACL before the season got going and didn’t cope with it well. So being more mature now I would definitely love to go back.
Thoughts on the level in ProMX?
The level in ProMX is very high in MX2 right now. In previous years I was nowhere near the level I am now and I was close to getting in the top 10. This year I have devoted everything I can to it and I’m just now getting my break into the top 10. I’m just going to keep this momentum rolling and leave no stone unturned.
Goals for the rest of 2024?
My goal is unwavering, it doesn’t matter if it’s 2024 or 2025, I’m going to continue to push forward and work on improving where I can. Ultimately, it’s my intention to be a regular frontrunner, and if that happens at QMP, it would be great. But if not, then I’ll keep working on my weaknesses. QMP is where I train most weeks, so I plan to finish Motocross off with a bang. Then continue to build strength and fitness coming into Supercross, where I want to be in that top 10 group.
Images: ID Media Group
