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Smakka's OUT!

Written by Goba Tuesday, 01 June 2010 11:11

Simon "Smakka" Makker is leaving Freerider to take charge as UNIT's Communication and Athlete Manager

There's been five Freerider Ed's now, Michael "Gil" Gilbert (1 issue), Andrew "Clubby" Clubb (7 issues), myself (20 issues), Benny Foster (15 issues), and the most recent Simon "Smakka" Makker (18 issues), who's about to move on to the next phase in his career as UNIT's Communications and Athlete Manager, a role I'm sure he will be great at.

Smakka's done an awesome job editing 18 issues of the worlds best FMX mag, and he's had to as Freerider's passionate readers wouldn't let him get away with producing nothing but the best.

It's never an easy task stepping into the shoes of the previous editor – the pressure is on from the start to fill the mag with credible content that readers will froth over, keep the advertisers happy without selling out, making every new issue better than the last, inspiring the contributors to supply killer photos and stories that offer insight, emotion, inspiration, and getting it all done in time for each deadline in an office where it's just the Ed and four walls, a one man show that has to keep finding the energy and inspiration himself to keep pumping out the highest quality every issue. It's no easy task let me tell you, but on the flip side you get to hang out at the coolest moto events for free, meet the world's best moto riders, capture cool images at the best compounds and riders pads, travel the world. Life is good being the editor of FRMX, it really is one of the greatest jobs in the world!

And Smakka has steered the FRMX ship through testing times in his three years at the helm, and thanks to him the mag continues to thrive stronger than ever. He's kept the mag real, worked hard to find the best stories and images, and his efforts haven't gone unnoticed, with Morrison Media founder and director Peter Morrison saying, "Smakka has always done an absolutely sterling job on Freerider steering the magazine through both good times and tough times with integrity and passion, and while he will continue to be a contributor to Freerider he is leaving some very big shoes to fill."

Smakka was sad to announce his resignation as editor of Freerider, but on the same hand excited about his new role, explaining, "It’s with both sadness and excitement that I announce my resignation from my position here as editor of Freerider MX Magazine."

"Yep, after three exciting, memorable and fun years at the helm of the magazine,  I’m heading out in a new direction, as Unit’s new communications manager and athlete manager."

"It’s been an awesome ride here at Freerider MX, and I’ll definitely be sad to walk out the door for the last time on Friday 11 June, but at the same time I’m looking forward to a whole new set of challenges in my new role with Unit."

Morrison Media is currently in the process of wrapping up the final interviews for Smakka's successor behind the wheel of Freerider MX, and the new editor will be announced very shortly.

On behalf of myself and and all the crew involved with making Freerider MX tick I wish Smakka all the best for his new role with UNIT and thank the man for his incredible efforts in producing what will be 18 killer issues by the time he walks out the doors of Morrison Media, and thanks mate for not breaking my record of 20 issues! Phew! LOL, cheers Goba.

Some of the goodness Smakka contributed to Freerider over the years

Josh Sheehan Whipping int the sunset

Smakka gets creative with this shot of Schuie

Reedy celebrating another victory on his way to winning the outdoor crown in America last year

Classic freeride action from NZ

Steve Mini jumps to the moon

Cherry picker action of Jacko Strong