Monster Energy Interview | FIM Speedway Grand Prix’s Aussie Wonder from Down Under – Jack Holder

In a breakthrough year in 2023, Monster Energy FIM Speedway Grand Prix racer Jack Holder shot like a rocket up the series’ results board, finishing 4th overall in just his third season of SGP racing.

And it could have been even better.

Holder suffered a hand injury and was forced to miss a round (Latvia) following a wreck and serious (requiring surgery, plate, screws) hand injury at the FIM Speedway World Championships in Wroclaw, Poland. Had it not been for that, Holder, who averaged 13.6 points per round (including 5 podium finishes), would have easily blown past Slovakia’s Martin Vaculik for 3rd place in the standings. As it stood, he missed the 3rd place Bronze SGP medal by two points, 125-123.

Holder will explain that further below. But the gist of it is the young racer out of Australia has, in one blazing SGP season, made himself one of the early championship favorites as the season gets underway this Saturday (April 27th) in Croatia.

Lots going on in the off-season with Holder, 28, including finding out he’s going to be a dad. On top of a whirlwind travel schedule last week, all sorts of media attention in Europe this week and practices and races heading into this weekend, Monster Energy was fortunate to catch a few minutes with Holder to get his take on his upcoming SGP campaign; who are the guys to beat and what it’s going to take to earn the title of the world’s best speedway racer.

Monster Energy: Jack! Got a big flight ahead of you here. Oz to Croatia. Lot of time to think about the upcoming FIM Speedway GP season. … So what’s your thoughts?

Jack Holder: Yeh the first round is just around the corner, very excited to get the GP series underway. Lots of hard work in the off season to get here, so really looking forward to it!

ME: Unbelievable 4th place overall SGP finish last year. And it could have been better if not for a crash that injured your hand at the Wroclaw Speedway World Cup round, and missed the next SGP round (Latvia), you could very well have been on the overall podium. Talk about the 2023 SGP season and what it meant to you to do so well in just your third year racing on the world’s premier professional speedway tour.

JH: Unbelievable season for me last year for sure. Going from making no finals (in 2021 & ’22) to making five podiums was a massive achievement for myself. And to miss out on a bronze medal by only two points was a tough pill to swallow, but only lit a bigger fire in my belly for this season.

ME: Rewind a bit to the time you spent last year in Oz and talk a bit about what you did to get ready for Croatia – and beyond – this weekend.

JH: Just the normal stuff really. A lot of family time and training back home in the sunshine. Good to hit the rest button and look forward to this year’s GP season.

ME: You also race the Aussie Speedway Championships when you’re home. How’d that go this past season?

JH: Ended up 3rd in the Australian titles back home, not what I wanted, but I had some issues with my injury throughout the series. But it was a good start to the big year ahead.

ME: In addition to being back home, you also found out you’re going to be dad. Congrats on that. Big news.

JH: Thank you. Yeah, big news in the holder camp (laughter), becoming a dad.

ME: Have you thought about how being a dad is going to affect your racing? Talk to anybody in that situation now (and there’s plenty) and how the handle things?

JH: My partner Jess and I are very excited and looking forward to the new chapter in our lives. I think it will do me good this year. More motivation to do well and make me and my family very proud.

ME: Back to the 2023 season, how’s the hand doing? Explain the injury you suffered and where it stands now.

JH: For such a small crash I did a lot of damage in there. Broke five bones and dislocated my wrist. You know I had a lot of metal work in there in order to come back as quick as I did. Everything is out now and it was a long process to get where I am to fully fit and ready.

ME: Another big career speedway milestone for you was when you teamed with Max Fricke and Jason Doyle to win the 2022 FIM Speedway of Nations at Denmark’s Vojens Speedway Center. Discuss that event and what it meant for your professional speedway career.

JH: Winning that Gold medal was an unbelievable feeling. A few years ago I missed out on being selected for the team, so I finally got my chance and I made sure of that with max to win the Gold.

ME: 2023 – five SGP podiums. That’s pretty rad. That and the fact you upset champion Bartosz Zmarzlik more than any other racer. Discuss how you’re able to use that effort to motivate yourself for this season, knowing you’ve proven that you can compete with – and beat - the fastest speedway guys in the world.

JH: It’s not just him (Zmarzlik). There are 15 of the best riders in the world chasing that world championship, like myself. I’m just focusing on me and showing up to every round 100% ready.

ME: Who’s Team Holder for this season - the people keeping everything in line so you can focus on winning races.

JH: Jack Holder Racing. It’s myself, my partner Jess, Bartek, Zibby, Kamil and my mechanics. My brother Chris, when he can make it there with me, and the rest of the family back him in Australia yelling at the tv screen early hours in the morning (laughter).

ME: Hahaha, which is what we’ll be doing here at Monster HQ in California as well! That’s about it on our end, Jack. Best of luck to you and Jack Holder Racing. We’ll for sure be tuning in. 

JH: Thanks for all the support you guys give me and let’s get the show on the road!

Up next…

The 30th annual FIM Speedway GP season opens on April 27th with the running of the Croatian Speedway GP at Donji Kraljevec’s Speedway Stadium Milenium. For further information, including the season race schedule, racer bios and timely results, link to: www.fimspeedway.com