Jett
Lawrence
Australia
·
Supercross
Date of birth | August 9, 2003 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Landsborough |
Age | 22 |
Nationality | Australia |
Career start | 2019 |
Disciplines | Motocross |
Only age could keep Jett Lawrence from turning pro. When he reached 16 in the summer of 2019, the affable Aussie made quick use of his three professional MX starts. Jett couldn’t wait to leave the amateur ranks and find his flow in Supercross and Motocross – even topping his older brother Hunter to score his first SX podium at SLC 5 in June.
Before most kids have their training wheels removed, Jett was ripping his PW50 Yamaha around Queensland. “I hated training wheels,” said Jett. “They cut down on my air time.” By four years old, he aspired to follow his brother’s path through the motocross ranks on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. “Hunter did the enduro thing. When I came along, I went straight into riding on the track. I didn’t do much trail riding. I went straight into racing behind him. I just followed his footsteps.”
As the siblings amassed wins and championships in the lower classes – including Jett’s 2014 FIM Junior MX 65cc world title – the Lawrence family sold everything and moved to Europe in 2016 so the boys could pursue MXGP. “My mom and dad made a huge sacrifice – plus my middle brother, Tate, has autism,” Jett said. “He went to a special-needs school there and loved it. So they went through a lot of things to get us where we are now.”
The Lawrences lived in Holland during the first season when Jett was with the CLS team, then moved to Belgium for the last two seasons during the boys’ run with Team Suzuki and finally Geico Honda. Initially, Jett struggled to acclimate socially because of the language barrier. He missed his mates and the weather. “It was a bit of a struggle,” Jett said. “I had all of my friends in Australia and left at age 12 or 13. You didn’t want to leave your best buddies. I had to learn to live life without them. It was harsh, learning to live in a different country where they didn’t speak English at all, but I’m kind of glad I went through it.”
Jett gained success and recognition first in the German ADAC series and in EMX85s before grinding his way into the gruelling EMX250 class. The 14-year-old’s finesse was on full display with his Assen GP victory and the ADAC Youngster Cup win. While times were financially tough on the family, Jett found remarkable freedom on his bike.
After two years, the gamble paid off. In 2018, Hunter and Jett were both recruited by the Geico Honda Team for the following season. Hunter, then 19, rode for the Honda MX2 team while Jett raced with the Factory Connection Honda amateur team.
The family moved to the US in the autumn of 2018. Jett’s entry into the US amateur ranks didn’t disappoint. Not long after the family arrived in the US, he had an impressive run in the Mini Os 2018 Motocross. The chance to ride bigger, faster bikes was right in Jett’s wheelhouse. The shorter motos – which felt more like sprints – weren’t. But Jett adapted quickly as he was introduced to new courses. And he had Hunter to lean on for advice.
Jett capped off his US coming-out party with a stunning run in the Loretta Lynn's 2019 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. Just days later, after his 16th birthday, Jett made his professional debut in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross at the Unadilla National. He finished 13th overall in the 250 class with 21-8 scores, then returned home to compete in SX2 Australian Supercross Championship in Melbourne, where he scored 4-3-2.
Jett came out of the gate strong for his rookie year, but received a dose of reality in his third start. After leading 16 laps, Jett flipped his Honda while trying to hold off Dylan Ferrandis and broke his collarbone in the process. After six weeks on the sidelines – and three missed shows – he returned with something to prove. Jett qualified 12th at Salt Lake City 5 in June and passed Hunter for his first SX podium. He finished 10th in the standings despite missing a third of the events.
Jett’s SX experience paid off as he moved to Pro Motocross. He scored a top 10 in the kick-off at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, persevered through mechanical failures in the next round and finished fifth overall at Ironman Raceway. He used the next six events to work on consistency and topped his rookie season with the win at Fox Raceway.
In just his second full season as a pro, Jett showcased his undeniable talent as he tallied eight moto wins and four overall victories to secure the 2021 AMA Pro Motocross 250MX Championship.
In 2022, Jett proved to once again be the man to beat as he dominated the AMA Supercross 250cc Easts series and the AMA Pro Motocross 250MX Championship again to defend his title.
Long touted by those in the know as a generational, game-changing talent in the sport, Jett confirmed this in emphatic fashion during a sensational 2023.
He wrapped up a second straight 250SX title before jumping up to the premier 450 class for the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, where he made history by not only winning the title in his rookie season, but also winning every single moto of the entire championship to score only the fourth unbeaten season in motocross history after the legendary Ricky Carmichael (twice) and James Stewart. All before his 21st birthday!
Is there a better motocross racer than Jett Lawrence on the planet right now? It's hard to argue otherwise.