MXP Top 20 – #14 Jay Burke

Jay Burke (Blue) is a “lunch box” racer and that’s what’s made him a fan favorite at the races.

Motocrossers love to reminisce about the throwback days, back to when tracks were tougher, bikes a little cooler, and yes, riders a little tougher. They are the nostalgic memories of our sport that are as important as the future. In Canadian pits, in the sponging air filters clean days, comes a throwback rider that is as old school, as tough and gritty as any rider that has pulled up to the line. This week’s MXP Rankings rider of the week is Jay Burke.

There is no mechanic in Burke’s pits during most national rounds; no one holding the pit board, his approach is simple: When the gate drops, race hard with as much intensity as you can until the checkered flag falls. Don’t quit, don’t look for excuses, simply race. Bouncing across the country in his old Dodge and Campmaster rig, Burke’s season didn’t start off the way the Hamilton native hoped. A mud soaked Nanaimo and 15-16 finishes didn’t sit well with Burke whose eye was firmly on the top 10. The next two rounds improved but Burke would have to deal with poor starts to get towards the much sought after top 10. Edmonton would be a flash card example of Burke as a racer. He managed a 10^th in the first moto following a solid start, but in moto two however, he was left him lying on the ground in corner one. As the rain pattered down and the pack long gone, frustration had to be building.  Burke, without goggles, charged from dead last back up to 11th on a track that is difficult to pass. There was no drama, no excuses, no giving up. Burke posted his best race result of the season.

Poster boy for the Canadian company FXR

Burke hasn’t been afraid of work. The 25 year-old has worked a full time job since leaving high school, and has raced Pro motocross the entire time. An industrial plumber, finding balance with jobs and a consuming sport is tough for most athletes in motocross. Burke made it tougher when he crashed a few years ago, bad enough that doctors worried he would never walk, never mind race again. Burke returned with his own team in 2011. JBR, on Hondas with familiar sponsors and people helping, went back to the National series. As the series crept across the country, Burke crept up into the top 15 in points. Unfortunately injury would sideline Burke and he would drop down the points ladder by the end of the series.

In 2012, Burke’s number was up at the front of the pack in most motos. Career best finishes, confidence and his trademark blue collar approach put him in the top 10 in points. In four attempts to finish the series, injuries have always blocked him from accomplishing his goal. In 2012 however, Burke finally finished the series and earned himself an 8th overall in MX1. Only once did he finish a moto out of the points, a DNF in moto 1 at Sand Del Lee; even more impressive for his solo approach.

Burke is at his best when the sand is deep and the sun is hot.

In 2013, Burke is hard at work and preparing for the new season. The #8 Honda will once again bring a big dose of consistency, and his own rugged determination that has earned him respect in the racing community. Burke will be determined to hold on to his single digit in 2013, and for those reason and many more, he is number 14 within MXP Rankings of top Canadians that will line up in 2013.

Jay will be running his best national number since turning pro. 2013 will see him dawn the #8. He actually missed #7 by just one point.