Greg Kinsella, Irish Supermoto champion
What are you currently riding? A TM450SMX and a TM660SMX.
When did you start racing? I started racing in January 1991 in a Motocross race in Johnstown moto park in Kildare. My first supermoto race was in Mondello Park in November 2002.
How did you get involved in the sport? My father, Austin Kinsella, was a top Irish road racer and raced endurance racing in Europe. He was a long-time holder of the lap record in Mondello and Irish Road Race Champion. So I suppose you could say motorcycling is in the blood, up until recently my sister Gillian also raced, but due to a string of injuries and work commitments she had to give up.
What was your first machine? My first bike was a Yamaha PW50 - I think they're the first weapons of choice for most young budding motorcyclists. I've had a long string of bikes since then - TMs, Kawasakis and VORs. My current bikes are supplied by CCM Racing / Electraction in Tallaght and are full-on factory racers. They're very focussed - not for your everyday ride-out.
Do you have a road bike? No, but I'd love a Ducati 998. I can't afford one unless I give up my racing so it will have to wait for a while. Bikes are the only way to travel with the traffic these days. I get very envious of all the bikes blasting past as I sit in traffic.
Do you think Supermoto is a dangerous sport? Actually, I think it's very safe. There are hardly ever any injuries at a race, definitely far fewer than motocross or road racing. So, it's probably one of the safest forms of motorcycle racing out there.
Ever had any accidents? Every racer has their spills but I've been very lucky. In my 14 years of racing I've never broken a bone - it's a combination of knowing my limits and being lucky, I suppose. Touch wood though, I don't want to tempt fate.
Who is your biking hero? I suppose I'd have to say my dad. He's the one who has brought me to the level I'm at now and continues to bring me on all the time. His vast experience has proved invaluable to me time and time again and, although sometimes I don't want to listen, it always pays off in the end.
What keeps you motivated? I have a very competitive nature. I'm never happy with anything but a win really, so I suppose that's what keeps me motivated. As soon as I win at one level I want to move on to the next.
I've just returned from New Zealand - Moto Sports Unlimited brought me over to compete in the national championships and I won, leaving in the lead of the championship to come home and race in Mondello. I beat the former world superbike star, Aaron Slight, when I was over there as well. I also won at the first round of the Irish championships proving that racing abroad really raises your game and keeps you sharp.
How do you fund your racing? I have to make a huge effort every year to raise enough sponsorship to compete. It costs upwards of €50,000 to fund a season's racing and it's a constant struggle to get it.
I have some great sponsors at the minute, though, whom I'm very grateful to - Electraction/CCM Racing, Newlyn Developments, Armstrong Electronics, Web Sat, Moto Sports Unlimited and Freestyle Xtreme. I'm looking for sponsors for 2005 at the minute, so if anyone is interested I'll be delighted to talk to them.
Long-term ambition? To compete in the world Supermoto championships. I'm not far off being at that level now and, if I continue to make the progress I have in the past couple of years, it's only a matter of time before I make it.