An In-Depth Portrait of Land Speed Racing’s Most Eccentric Innovator

When you first meet Jean-Paul “JP” Afflick, he doesn’t quite fit the mold of the stereotypical daredevil. He’s quick with a joke, delightfully self-effacing, and somehow seems both intensely focused and just a little bit scattered. Beneath his affable persona is a mind constantly in motion—a tireless tinkerer, problem-solver, and, above all, an adventurer whose curiosity knows no boundaries. It’s this blend of restless energy and scientific madness that has earned JP his reputation as the fastest mad scientist on two wheels.

The Interview: Getting to Know JP

Sitting down with JP for a long-form interview was an exercise in controlled chaos. We wanted to spotlight his personality—the quirks, the humor, and the relentless drive that have propelled him to two world land speed records. From the moment he started speaking, it was clear that JP’s story wasn’t just about racing; it was about a lifelong journey of discovery.

“Honestly, I’m the dumbest guy at the table,” JP said with a broad grin. There’s no false modesty here; it’s just part of his charm. He insists on downplaying his accomplishments, but the twinkle in his eye tells another story. Equal parts self-deprecation, dry wit, and boundless curiosity—these are JP’s defining traits, making him a beloved fixture in the land speed racing community.

From Hospitality to High Velocity: JP’s Unlikely Journey

Before his name became synonymous with breakneck speed on two wheels, JP’s path was anything but traditional. He spent years in the hospitality industry, where he learned the value of service, teamwork, and adaptability. But his career took a sharp turn when he co-founded a software company—despite knowing almost nothing about software.

“Yeah, it bores me to it,” JP laughs, recalling the leap of faith. “Sometimes you’ve just got to have a dig, you know how it is.” His job? Admin work. The technical heavy lifting was left to his partners. JP’s willingness to step into the unknown—armed only with curiosity, recognizing a good idea, and a sense of humor—would come to define his future exploits.

He reflects on this chapter with characteristic levity: “I sit in the background and let them do everything else. That’s probably for the best.”

The Workshop: Where Science Meets Speed

JP’s approach to building racing bikes is nothing short of inspired madness. His workshop is more laboratory than garage, filled with unusual parts, experimental designs, and engines in various states of disassembly. He relishes the challenge of devising solutions that no one else would try—and sometimes, only a mad scientist would dare.

Take, for example, his latest project: a 250cc compound-supercharged bike. JP knows it isn’t the most efficient route to blistering speed, but that’s part of the allure. “It’s a bit ‘mad scientist,’ you know,” he says, eyes sparkling. For him, racing is as much about the engineering challenge as it is about the thrill of competition.

He recounts a particularly eccentric ritual from his early racing days: “We used to turn the bike upside down before we ran it… just to get oil to the top end before we started it.” It’s a testament to his inventive, sometimes offbeat, approach to problem-solving.

Romantic About the Ride: JP’s Sense of Place

JP isn’t just driven by the pursuit of speed; he’s captivated by the places and experiences that come with it. His hometown of Byron Bay, Australia, is a recurring theme in his stories. He describes it with the reverence of a poet:

“It’s the most eastern point… that lighthouse there is the east point of Australia… it’s a beautiful, beautiful surfing location.”

But it’s the vast, surreal landscape of Bonneville Salt Flats that holds a special place in his heart. He recalls his first visit in 2010, painting a vivid picture:

“That large expanse of bright white salt… that was the “aha” moment. I’d never seen anything like it. Just being there, standing on the salt, you feel like you’re on another planet.”

The Calm Within the Chaos

Many would imagine land speed racing at 131.6 mph (211 kph) as a nerve-wracking ordeal. For JP, it’s almost meditative. Years of repetition and practice have turned start-line procedures into muscle memory, allowing him to focus on the present moment and drown out the chaos.

He compares it to an experience far outside the racetrack: jumping out of a plane, despite a fear of heights. “I thought, oh, my heart’s gonna be through the roof… but I was so concentrated on the steps I had to follow, I didn’t allow myself to get worried.” For JP, the key to handling stress is immersion in routine and detail—whether in the air or behind the handlebars.

Humor, Humility, and Heart

JP’s ability to laugh at himself is legendary. When asked about his latest venture—creating blog and video content for Top 1 Racing—he gives a wry smile: “If I started a software company without knowing anything about software, this is gonna be a piece of cake.”

Beneath his irreverent humor lies genuine passion. After four years of setbacks—mechanical failures, weather delays, and logistical nightmares—JP finally set the 50cc world record in 2025. The moment was deeply emotional.

“Yeah, I was very, very emotional after that… there was a few tears… and a bit of language flying around,” he admits.

Philosophy of Racing: More Than Just Speed

For JP, racing is more than the pursuit of records; it’s a way of connecting with others, testing the limits of human ingenuity, and exploring what’s possible. He’s quick to highlight the camaraderie that defines the land speed racing community:

“Land speed racers are those people that will lend you their part out of their bike to break their record,” JP says, pride evident in his voice.

He loves the sense of unity, the remoteness of the salt flats, and the fact that for one week each year, everyone is chasing the same impossible dream. “It’s not about beating someone else—it’s about pushing yourself, and helping others to do the same.”

Legacy and Looking Ahead

JP’s story is still being written. With two world records under his belt, he shows no sign of slowing down. His workshop hums with new ideas, and the salt flats call with the promise of fresh challenges. Yet, it’s not the records that define him—it’s his character.

Jean-Paul Afflick may call himself the dumbest guy at the table, but those who know him understand the truth: he’s resourceful, eccentric, and determined, with a heart as big as his dreams. He’s part mad scientist, part poet, and part stand-up comic. And if history is any indication, he’s far from done breaking records—or defying expectations.

• World land speed records set: Two (including 131.6 mph on 50cc, 2025)
• Signature projects: 250cc compound-supercharged bike
• Notable locations: Byron Bay, Bonneville Salt Flats
• Philosophy: Racing as a journey—of self-discovery, camaraderie, and creativity

JP’s legacy continues to inspire—a reminder that in the world of land speed racing, genius often wears a crooked smile and an oil-stained lab coat.