California’s Jake Windham is on quite a roll in the world of freestyle motocross, coming off of his third IFMA championship in 2005 and gearing up for number four. From IFMA to the X Games, Jake is one of the most consistent-finishing freestylers the sport has seen. And believe it or not, freestyle motocross isn’t Jake’s primary focus in life.
“My regular job is working at a correctional facility,” says the 30-year-old defending IFMA champion, who admits that working a full-time job does interfere with his riding.
“It conflicts a little—I definitely don’t get to practice as much as I should be,” says Jake. “When the IFMAs are going week after week, I only get to ride on the weekends. That really has a tendency to slow my practice times down, but luckily I’ve been riding a dirt bike forever and a day, so I can learn a thing or two each weekend and stay competitive.”
And he’s been very competitive, as three IFMA championships, seven IFMA victories, and a bronze medal in the 2001 X Games prove. Such an impressive resume may lead to some people thinking that Jake has been a freestyler all his life, but it’s quite the contrary.
“I got started in freestyle from the halftime jump shows at Arenacrosses,” he says. “I raced motocross professionally for seven years. I was making enough money to barely survive, but that was about it. I made a lot more and had twice the fun doing freestyle, so that’s why I switched over full-time.”
Jake seems to have found a home in freestyle motocross. “I love it, it’s awesome,” Jakes says of the IFMA series. “There’s a bunch of really cool people that I get to ride with every week, and the people who run it are really nice.”
And fun is what it’s all about for the riders you see before you. That’s the reason they first got involved in this sport, and that’s the reason they stick around.
“I just want to keep winning,” says Windham. “It’s a cool feeling to win and I want to stay competitive. But as long as I’m having fun, I’m just going to keep pushing to do the best I can.”
Residence:Mather, CA Hometown: Placerville, CA Birthdate: 2/3/75 Bike: 2002 Suzuki 250 Sponsors: Works Connection, Lamson Porting, Azonic, DC Shoes, White Brothers, TBT, Acerbis, Ogio, Alpinestars, Tag Metals, One Industries, Kicker, Got20's.com, Boyd Cottington, Astrisk, Arnette
What are your career championships? 2000 IFMA Champion
ABOUT JAKE
Jake's style of "going big" has made him a crowd pleaser in any event in which he participates. Jake signature trick, "the ruler" helped him win his first IFMA victory in 2002 in front of his hometown crowd in Sacramento, California in January. Although that was Jake's first show victory Jake has shown that he consistently is the one to beat as he was the Overall IFMA Points Champion for the 2000 season.
FUN FACTS
Additional Occupation Correctional Officer
Favorite Class cooking
Favorite Track Mammoth - cause I did good there
I drive a Mazda Miata with bumper racks for my bike
If I could buy any car, I would get Pinto with 5 star wheels slammed and tinted windows
How I got into this sport Good food at the concessions
Besides Motocross, my next favorite sport is Couch Riding
Best Riding Moment I'll tell you when I win
Worst Riding Moment Losing to Dustin all the time
Hardest thing about being a rider None, I don't think
Best thing about being a rider Having fun with your friends
Favorite Music The kind in elevators
Food I Can't Live Without Everything
Favorite Brand of Clothes Osh Kosh
Favorite Movie Blue Streak
Favorite Actor/Actress Tara Ried
Favorite Cartoon Character Woody Woodpecker
Favorite Color Blue
Favorite Vacation Spot Jamaica
Favorite Book can't read
Hobbies Pocket pool
If I could kick anyone's ass it would be Mr. Buyten - he's a punk
If I could date a supermodel, I'd date Heidi Klum
What's buried in my closet right now? Buyten's dirty underwear
How many times I've watched Jerry Springer Every night
The scariest thing on my medical chart is Pulled hammie from rider tryouts
Accomplisments 4th Place 2002 IFMA Current Overall standings 1st Place 2002 Sacramento IFMA 3rd Place 2001 X Games Moto X 2000 IFMA Overall Champion
My worst nightmare Waking up when Buyten has left without saying bye
The word or phrase I overuse Stupid
Favorite Movie Quote "Yeah, baby?" (Austin Powers)
My career goal for the next 3 years To win
