One of the really cool things about our sport is that we are blessed with so many passionate and cerebral people. One of the smartest individuals that I know is Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Crew Chief Adam Robinson. Adam, like many mechanics in this industry, got his start at a dealership and helped out a few top pros in the late 1990s and early 2000s. From there, he became interested in suspension and really learned the technical side of the sport. Well, fast forward to present day and Adam is the man in charge of making sure team riders Matt Goerke and Brett Metcalfe have everything they need and that their Yamaha motorcycles are set up exactly how they want. Recently, Adam was also named as Crew Chief for Team Canada and their 2016 MXON effort in Italy later on this year. We caught up with Adam as he was fresh off his latest trip to California where he was testing with Goerke and Metcalfe.
Adam Robinson first began his motocross mechanic career back in 1999 when he was working for the infamous Machine Racing. Seventeen years later he still looks the same, but now he’s trying to help lead his Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team to their second MX1 title. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: Hey Stu (Adam’s nickname is Stu), thanks for taking my call. This must be a busy time of year for you and the team?
AR: Definitely, even though we’re still a few months away from the opening round, things are still wide open.
Are you at the new OTSFF race shop in Brampton right now?
No, I’m actually at home working on a motor. For me to drive to the new shop it’s a two hour commute each way. So these days I’ll try to bring stuff home and just work here. It makes a lot more sense than driving four hours in a day.
That’s great that you’re able to do that sometimes. Nothing drains your energy more than a long commute. That’s not good when you’re building motors and working on bikes. Well, I won’t take any more of your time than I have to. You recently returned from a testing trip in California, how is everything progressing with your riders?
So far everything is going really good and both riders love their bikes. We got an early start on testing with Brett because Matt was still healing up from his shoulder injury, and also, we were anxious to see what Metcalfe’s thoughts were on our equipment. This was actually my second trip down there. Just prior to my first trip down in January Metcalfe had been riding a completely stock Yamaha 450. We wanted him to try one out in its stock form before we started putting our race team stuff on it. Anyway, he really liked the bike from the first time he rode it, which says a lot about just how good the 2016 Yamaha 450 is.
What were your initial thoughts on Metty and his vast knowledge of testing and bike set-up?
Prior to heading down to meet him in California, I’d obviously heard a lot of stories so I kind of knew what to expect. Right from the start he’s been great, he’s a professional and he knows what he likes. Not only does he know what he likes, but he also knows what to do to get the bike to where he wants it. That’s the cool part for me and the team because it’s much more of an efficient process. Metcalfe is happy with everything so far; he likes the Factory Connection suspension we’re using. I mean he has a great relationship with FC so they all know him and what he likes. He’s happy with the chassis and the power of the Bondi Engine package. So far, everything is going great!
The Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team has already been doing alot of testing so far with their newest rider, Brett Metcalfe.
Metcalfe has made no secret of preferring the workings of a spring front fork over an air fork. So he must be really happy that he’s able to continue using them with the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team.
Yes, he’s very happy with everything suspension wise and the handling on the 2016 Yamaha. Even though we’re only in the early stages of testing and it’s only the end of February, he feels very comfortable with how everything is, and that obviously makes me feel great.
How does a rider like Brett Metcalfe like his motor to work? Is he a smooth power guy or does he like the power to hit hard?
He’s a lot like Bobby Kiniry was in that he likes a very aggressive, hard hitting engine. So with all of the knowledge and testing that we’ve done with Bobby over the years, it was pretty easy to find a setting that Metcalfe liked. What is also really cool is that Metty and Goerke are complete opposites. Goerke is smooth and flows on the track, while Metty is just charging everywhere. It’s pretty cool to watch them ride together, they both go very fast but they ride completely different.
That was my next question, how is Matt Goerke doing?
He’s great now and he’s back to his normal training schedule. Like I said, he got a late start on everything with his shoulder, but he’s healed up, healthy, refreshed and really motivated to defend his MX1 title.
The Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team has always had elite talent under their tent. However, this summer you’re going to have arguably the two of the series’ top riders under the tent battling it out for the MX1 title. You must be excited.
For sure, anytime you can work with the best it’s a very cool situation. Both riders are fierce competitors and will no doubt be up front battling, but they’re professional and I’m really looking forward to it.
I think everyone in Canada is looking forward to the impending battle in the MX1 class. Let’s move on and talk about the MXON and Team Canada. You’re going over to Italy as part of Team Canada, you must be super excited?
Without a doubt Palms, Kourtney and the team has given me an incredible opportunity and I can’t wait. Hopefully we can do some pre-testing with whomever gets chosen for Team Canada and go over there completely ready to race. It sounds as though Kourtney already is ahead of where any team has been before with her planning and attention to detail, so things are looking good.
Adam has been a fixture on the national circuit for over 15 years and in that time he’s worked for some of this sports top riders. Photo by James Lissimore
What is your opinion on what you think the team needs to go over to Italy and meet expectations?
Well, like anything it begins with a plan and it goes from there. There is a great plan in place and once we pick the team then we can really begin planning around each rider. Once we get over there and the racing begins, it’s up to the riders to perform up to their abilities. It’s a process and there’s never any guarantee of success, we just have to go and do our best.
I really like where Kourtney is going with Team Canada. It sounds as though you two and your meticulous planning attributes are going to make a pretty good combination.
I sure hope so!
So what is next for you and the team? When are you heading back to California?
I’ll probably go down in mid-March or close to it and continuing testing. I’m going to head down once a month until the season begins. That interval gives the riders time to just ride and train and not have to worry about testing. I know I said that the opening round is still months away, but you know that time always goes by fast.
You’re right, soon we’ll all be gathering at Whispering Pines in Kamloops for Round 1. Stu, thanks for your time and I’ll let you get back to your work.
Thank for calling and checking in Palms, always good to hear from you.
