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My own thoughts on Jim are quite simple really. He just says what he wants to say, he doesn't tell people things just for the sake of them going away with a story, although I suspect he likes to throw some people off the scent when he needs to. His mind is working all the time, his eyes are looking at what's going on, especially at race meetings. If he's looking at a TV monitor, checking lap times, or whatever, I can assure you he's taking everything in that's going on around him. He listens, his eyes flash at a passing machine's going in and out for qualifying and he glances at what tyres other teams and riders are using. He runs over to give advice to other riders while watching all around. At the same time he's listening to what other people are saying while giving his own opinions, and if you asked him he could still remember what times the top ten or so riders have done without looking at a time sheet or monitor.
I'm convinced Jim can, or does, hold a perfectly respectable conversation at the same time he's running other subjects, perhaps more important to him, through his mind. You could say this behaviour, if true, as being arrogant or even ignorant. Nothing could be further from the truth; in fact I believe it's Jim's way of accommodating the amazing amount of things that are going on in his mind at any one time. I also believe he can shut down other thoughts, concentrating solely on the job in hand. I think it depends on the real importance of what's happening at any given time. It's one reason why the guy keeps himself so fit, so when he races, it's one part of the equation that won't let him down. That's why he decided to go through with the series of operations on his ankle. Fitness, or lack of it, is something that never comes into his mind when racing. Moodie can get round the last few laps of a race faster than most, nothings left to chance. The 2000 WSS round at Brands was the perfect example, Moodie was the fastest man on the track for the last few laps…That was a true world class performance against world class riders.
Watching him closely at Oulton Park, summer 2000, waiting for the start of the qualifying session to begin, Jim's upbeat, relaxed and having a laugh, at the same time I get the feeling each lap, each corner, each breaking point is running through his mind. When he puts on that distinctive Mad Dog Shoei helmet, the whole picture changes and the concentration bores through like a couple of laser beams.
When Jim makes his mind up, that's it, there's no going back. I'm sure he doesn't take the big decisions lightly and if there's one thing Moodie has never been afraid of, that's controversy. It's all in the search for one thing….Success. I get the impression he doesn't see it as controversial at all, he probably sees it as a means to an end, the next step to the next win. I also get the feeling he has a special circle of very close friends and family whom he can rely on. Some people think that Moodie's good at creating his own publicity, a point that is questionable when you consider he rode in the Spanish championships, on and off, for four years running up to the year 2000. In general the motorcycle press were unaware at the time and it wasn't until Moodie broke his ankle (after the gearbox oil seal went while running in a new Ducati engine) that they became aware he was even competing in Spain.
Jim likes things in its place; he likes things nice and clean. That's not to say he couldn't rough it if required. If you happen to give him a loan of something, you would get it back squeaky-clean. In turn, he would expect the same if he gave you something, if not, I suspect the loan arrangement would come to an abrupt end. He has his own etiquette if you like and if you don't like it then hard cheese. There's lots of things about Moodie that people don't know, I suppose we could all say that…..But most people don't know how much Jim has helped other people, other riders, and not just by giving them hints and tips, but by dipping his hand into his own pocket and I don't just mean a pound or two. I've seen him turn up late at night, the day before his own race, and set the suspension for a young rider after personally paying for a new rear shock. Watching Jim setting up a bike is sheer magic, a bit like Hizzy, he oozes confidence in his set up ability, it's an art form, and it's great to watch and listen. I know for a fact he has helped many riders over the years, in more ways than one…it's just that he doesn't go around, or wants it to be, broadcast in any way shape or form. It doesn't matter to him, he's not looking for that good guy label, it's the people close to him that matter and it's only the people he helps that really know, its Moodie's way. However, he is aware of the fans and he wants to win for them as much as for himself.
Moodie's sharp, straightforward and to the point. If a rider wants Moodie's opinion he will give it, maybe not what the rider wants to hear, but it's what he's going to get. You've gone to the wrong man if you just want encouragement, although he will give it. Jim will point out the negatives and it probably won't sound too good. But if you turn it into a positive then you're on you're way. If a rider spends loads of money, on say travelling, fuel, bikes, spares, you name it, and he doesn't have much money left for tyres then Jim will give it to him straight. Why leave the tyres to the end of the budget chain…..simple. If you really want to succeed, then what's the point in going to all that expense, time and bother, only to leave yourself short on tyres…….you're just as well staying at home or going back to club racing.
I get the impression Moodie is never really relaxed, possibly because he doesn't want to and possibly when he's relaxing he's invariable telling some story or other. He's always on the move even when he's sitting, but not in a nervous way; it's hard to explain. He doesn't like to waste time, he wants to get on with things and when he gets a project in his mind, he goes for it big time, no half measures here. Take his latest successful project for example…helicopter pilot…. Moodie has read a pile of books on the subject that would make you're eye's pop. And what about taking Ross McCulloch under his wing, not just managing the talented rider and the team, but putting Ross through the Moodie training regime. Once again, no half measures….all or nothing. Commentating for Eurosport-another new for Moodie and again, when he takes something on, he takes it very seriously and does his homework before hand. More important, it's one of Moodie's ways of keeping his presence in the racing scene when injury puts him on the sidelines.
Jim's a planner rather than a schemer, he likes to have the psychological advantage and he has many ways of doing it, and it works. He respects people who speak their own mind, even if he doesn't agree with what they're saying. He's no jack of all trades, he'll have a go…yes, but he'll leave the subjects that doesn't interest him or like, to the people who know better.
Give Moodie a competitive machine and he'll run with and beat the best in Superbike, Superstock or Supersport. He fears no one, but respects other riders. He's super fit and super confidant in his own abilities, even after a year out. Moodie's taken, and will continue to take, hard decisions with only one aim in mind…..to be at the least competitive, or at best to win. If you take on Moodie, you're taking on a winner.
I know for sure there's a lot more to the man than I'll ever know. However, It's only my observations over a long period of time and the racing world needs people like Moodie. He gives the punters and media alike something to talk about, apart from the fact he's a top class rider and entertainer….Yes, one of the true characters of the racing scene and long may it continue…………. Harvey Thomson. March 2002. Home Page
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