HAWKESBURy husband and wife duo Robert and Bobbie-Jo Simmonds won two state motorbike racing titles this season, and next year will line up against each other on the grid.
Robert won his fifth state modified bikes title, while Bobbie-Jo won her first street bike title.
They compete at the Sydney Dragway in the Thunder 400 series.
Robert said he just loved the thrill of racing his bike, and was stoked with his fifth title, and third in a row.
“I feel fantastic. I nearly got three in a row last time but blew it,” he said.
“I just love it. The adrenaline is good. Every round it comes down to the last race. I just had to finish in front of a bloke in the last round. We chased each other all the way to the final and I beat him there.”
Robert said he had some planned modifications to his Suzuki Hayabusa, to make it go even faster next season.
He said he does most of his maintenance work himself, with occasional help from a friend.
As for Bobbie-Jo, she said she was enjoying racing, albeit on a slightly slower bike than her husband.
“It has been fantastic, all the people are great, it is more like a family,” she said.
“Every time we go into a round, you are never racing with enemies or anything like that.
“I’ve got more confidence on the bike. I’m not scared when it goes flat out anymore.
“I did some national races this year, and it has just given me more race experience.”
In 2018, however, she plans to step up to the modified bike series and race against her husband.
The pair both laughed at the thought of taking on each other and the potential awkward car rides home should one outclass the other or cause an accident between the pair.
“Robert is a bit worried about losing to me because he might have to cook dinner for the next week,” Bobbie-Jo said.
Whereas Robert said he would treat his wife like anyone else on the track.
“It will be on for young and old. I’m fairly competitive,” he said.
“I bet that is going to end in tears at some stage.”
The pair are mad about biking. When not at high speed, their favourite past time is a weekend ride.
Sometimes they go alone, other times with two of their four kids. The other pair aren’t interested in bikes said Bobbie-Jo.
“We usually go for a ride on Sunday and our kids come along with us,” she said.
“We usually go to the Grey Gums out on the Putty Road or Wisemans Ferry. We even do big trips on the bike all the way around Tasmania.”