2022

Josh Waters: Five Questions about That Deal

After Josh Waters incredible announcement the other day that he was set to join Wayne Maxwell’s Boost Mobile with K-Tech McMartin racing outfit, we hit him up with the five most important questions that we could think of…

Waters was thrown a lifeline for season 2022 aboard a BMW M1000RR with Maxima Racing Oils / Film BMW, but the relationship never bore fruit.

1 The MotoGP support event ride made sense when Wayne elected to sit it out, but just how did this two-bike team situation come about?

As I’m sure you already know the opportunity came about as the team needed the bike on the grid; a request of a sponsor. Wayne already had commitments for that weekend and wasn’t able to race so I was asked if I’d race.

After having a ride on the bike at a track day I said I’d race. Friday at the event was a really good day for me, P3 in session 1, P2 in qualifying and then to just win race 1 was great.

I was able to sleep on a few things and Saturday was even better winning both races and breaking the lap record. Obviously, it blew my expectations out of what I honestly thought I was going to be able to achieve that weekend.

When we were loading the bikes up on Saturday night after the race, Craig said “I think we should try getting you back on this bike for the final two rounds”. That’s how the idea started…

2 You seem to have come to grips with the Panigale V4R really quickly and easily- what do you put that down to?

I’m not sure how and why I was able to adapt to the bike so quickly. Maybe I came in with a blank piece of paper, no expectations of how it will feel or anything. I just knew it was set up to be ridden fast and I had to try to work myself out how I could.

Also, I seemed to like the way the bike was set, the team changed a few things here and there but they didn’t have to reinvent it for me. It was more me that had to work out how to ride it.

3 Wayne has a shot at the title as we head into the final two rounds- was that discussed? Are you part of the strategy to take the title? Are there team orders?

Yes, the team’s main focus is winning the championship with Wayne. I will pit next door to Wayne so my side can be looked over.

I think people are forgetting his results from the last time he was at both of these circuits, he was pretty dominant. I guess they (the team) wouldn’t want me to do anything stupid.

4 What are your goals for these final two rounds?

My goals are to be up the front of the field.

5 What does this mean for you in 2023 with Wayne definitely (?!) set to retire?

My focus at the moment is to try go the best I can go, enjoy it and see what happens.

asasas