Jay Wilson entered the 2012 racing season with a lot of expectations that he’d be a MXD champion. However, some niggling injuries, including a broken wrist, put paid to those plans and he finished the year with disappointing results (by his own lofty standards).

The former Raceline Suzuki rider has signed with Scott Bishop’s GYTR Yamaha team for 2013 and is currently spending three weeks under the wing of 2012 MX Nationals champion Josh Coppins in New Zealand.

MotoOnline.com.au caught up with the 18-year-old to see how it’s all been happening and got his thoughts on five things moto.

The 2013 GYTR Yamaha deal…

After the Newcastle supercross Scott Bishop approached me and asked if I had anything locked in for 2013. At that stage Suzuki said they were interested to keep me on, but they had nothing confirmed and they weren’t sure on exactly what they could offer. I wanted to get everything rolling early so I knew exactly where I’d be for 2013, so I decided to ride for GYTR. Suzuki were really good about it and we left on great terms.

Riding Yamaha for the first time since junior days…

I rode a Yamaha YZ85 when I was 13, so it’s been a while. I think the Yamaha is a great all-round bike. I know it gets a bad rap from people and it’s still carburetted, but I knew the GYTR team would build a fantastic engine and I’m really surprised at how good it is. It’s a really fast bike, the suspension works great, and I find it’s really responsive and turns well. I’m really enjoying the new bike and am already feeling comfortable on it.

Not stepping up to MX2 this year…

I was looking forward to getting out of MXD and making the jump up to MX2 this year, but there weren’t many options and a lot of people have struggled to sign a deal, a lot more so than in previous years. When the offer came along from GYTR Yamaha it was a no-brainer. I decided to stay down in MXD this year and hopefully leave on a high. This year it’s all about the business of winning a championship and realistically I don’t think I would’ve been ready for MX2 this year. With a bit more race experience I’ll be more prepared for the seniors in 2014.

Working with Josh Coppins…

One of the clauses in my contract with Yamaha was to come over and ride with Josh Coppins. He’s a world-class rider and we’re currently in New Zealand to race the second and third rounds of the NZ Nationals under the JCR Yamaha tent to get some race experience and so some testing. I never really thought I’d work some someone of his calibre. He’s a really cool, level-headed guy and his input has been awesome. He’s been all over the world racing and I want to follow in his footsteps.

Aims for the NZ Nationals….

I love coming to New Zealand. I’ve met a lot of good people during my two times racing over here. The tracks are amazing and there are a lot of fast guys – they’re definitely no slouches at home. In saying that I’m not here to race for second place in the Lites class. I want to win these two meetings that I’m over here for, as well as continue to gel with the bike and get more race time. I’m looking forward to Patetonga this weekend, as I’ve heard it’s a pretty awesome track.