Josh Hook on the Grillini World SBK drama
Firstly I would like to thank all my sponsors for their support, these guys are unbelievable, staying by my side through thick and thin.
Australian Brewery Bell Powersports Alpinestars Adina Watches Shotz Sports Nutrition Oakley
I’d like to share a bit of info that some may or may not like, but it is what it is.
Everything I do is for a reason, and I must protect my future career in this sport, this sport can be brutal at times and here’s a prime example.
Grillini’s reasoning behind me getting the “Don’t come Monday” before Donington was lack of performance, which is complete bollocks, if we were going off performance my team mate would have gotten the flick.
When I was back to 100 per cent fitness in Sepang I did a good job…… The results weren’t great, that’s for sure, but I got the maximum out of the package Grillini has to offer.
The way that whole Grillini team run is a joke, lack of staff, knowledge and materials, no communication between any team members, and honestly not a Scoobydoo.
After riding for them, it beats me how they are even in the championship, it’s clear to me now they are there to make money, and having bikes on the grid is part of that business, fighting for results isn’t their priority.
Like everything I do, I give my absolute 100 per cent, I was determined to make this bike work and I put a lot of pressure on the team to make things better. Bringing in a race winning WorldSBK rider to help with communication, and get a direction with the bike, they didn’t appreciate at all and soon put a stop to that.
I offered to bring a extremely talented crew chief to help, at my cost, in the best interest for the team and myself, again…. No go.
The team believe they are capable of top ten in the normal circumstances, not sure what planet they are living on, I’m sorry, but you couldn’t grow a Chocho vine over a brick shit-house.
There were certainly no shortage of mechanical failures. It got to a point where I’d exit pit lane and think to myself, what’s going to break this time……
It soon became quite dangerous, with the bike dumping oil several times mid-session. In the opening race at Assen the team tried sending me out on a bent chassis, only to be stopped by scrutineers who deemed the bike unsafe to ride, the list goes on.
As soon as this sport becomes dangerous due to teams taking short cuts, and not doing things how they should be done, it’s time to take a stand and explore other avenues.
I put that much pressure on the team to get their shit together, they had enough of it, and decided it would be much easier to put someone on the bike they can actually make money out of.
So that’s how that went down, which leaves me to now. Where I am now open to all opportunities, and will continue living in Europe to pursue my dream. I will continue to train hard and be ready when the time comes.
I will be heading to Snetterton next week for official BSB test with WD-40 Kawasaki, will see how things go, with the intention to finish the season there.
