How's everything going today?
Things are going great! I am working out of the KTM east HQ in Amherst until tomorrow, getting Russell Bobbitt's Enduro race bike re-prepped.

So going back a bit, how did the Penton go on your end?
The Penton was the kind of race I can't really be happy with how it went, but I'll take it. I know Kailub wants to win, and I want to win, but 2nd kept us close in the points. I think that is more important as the year winds down to the final races.
The focus is on the championship.

What was the toughest part of the weekend for you?
The toughest part of the race for me is always the first hour. That's when I'm most anxious for updates, and you can kind of see who is moving forward or fading back, etc.

So for those who have never looked into it, what does it take to be a top level mechanic?
I'm flattered you'd even ask me that! To be a top level mechanic, it has to be your dream job. Otherwise, it is hard to devote enough time and stay enthusiastic. You have to be eager to learn, but already have a good mechanical foundation to build from. You have to be willing and able to travel a lot. If you are in a relationship, your partner has to be able to handle you being gone for months. Meet everyone you can, the more people you know, the more doors open for you!

How much do you recheck things to make sure they're good to go?
I would have to take off my shoes to count. (laughs) I'll usually have my rider come over and at least spend a few minutes riding around. They are riding the bike, so their opinion is most important. I will usually ask Chuck Marchant (Charlie Mullins' mechanic) or Tony Hall from our motor dept. to come look at the bike. A fresh set of eyes and ideas always helps!

What is the toughest part about setting a bike up for a GNCC?
Setting up a bike for a GNCC isn't a whole lot different than any other race. You just have to keep in mind the bike is going to go three hours. No wires can ground or pinch. Have spare wheels, brakes, anything you think you could need to replace. You have to be ready.

How much different is it setting up a bike for GNCCs and a bike for National Enduros?
To set up a bike for national enduro's, put on some bark busters. The suspension is typically softer, since the trails are tighter and speeds slower. Most of the top pro's are running a 250 or 300 two stroke. For GNCC's, Kailub is doing great on his KTM 350 xc. In the top 10, there is a lot bigger variety in sizes of the bikes, and you see more four strokes than a national enduro. Bark busters aren't so mandatory in GNCC's, we run Acerbis X-force handguards.

Is it tough to remember the little things that both your riders like?
At first it was tough to remember what little things Kailub and Bobbitt like with their bikes, but after the first year I feel like I have it down. They are both so easygoing, it makes my job easier and more enjoyable.

How much work goes into a full on race bike?
Rebuilding Bobbitt's bike is usually two days, Kailub's can take 3. To get to where we are before the bike is raced takes weeks of testing though. And we are never done. If you built a replica of his bike at the penton, we will make changes by unadilla.

So what is a typical race weekend like for you?
On a typical race weekend, we'll park the truck at noon on Friday and wash it. We'll set up until about 4, then work on the bikes until about 8. We'll then grab dinner and head to the hotel. On Saturday, we'll get to the track about 9, work on bikes until the quad pro start in the afternoon. After watching that, it's bike work until the evening, when we pack up and once again head to dinner and the hotel. On Sunday, we show up early, usually at the track by 8. We'll check over the bikes until Maria Forsberg's race in the morning, when we go to the line to support her. Maria's mechanic, "Woody" Bramlett handles her bike prep. We'll continue final bike prep until the afternoon. Once the green flag flies, we'll start heading to our pit board locations. Sometimes we get a workout! We have to pit board at a few locations so the riders know how the race is unfolding. After the race we (hopefully) head to the podium, then help tear down the truck and head back to Ohio or Georgia with the sprinter.

What about once the race is over, what do you do during the time before the next race?
After the race we usually head back to Ohio. Earlier in the year, when the races are in the south, we work out of Bo Bobbitt's shop, Cycle Specialties. It's in Fayetteville, Ga. We'll re-prep The bikes until Tuesday night, And fly back to Ca Wednesday. If we have back to back races, we stay in ohio or Georgia and drive Thursday to set up Friday.

How did you originally get involved in the racing world?
I originally raced motocross in the northwest. There is a great racing scene up there. I was lucky enough to have tracks like Washougal MX Park within a couple hours drive. I always had a well prepped, clean bike. People see that, and it helps your reputation! I started working for an amateur MX rider from the NW, and later Brad Nauditt in a national arenacross, along with regional races. After that, I worked for almost 3 years with Ricky Dietrich in the WORCS series, also Endurocross, where we got the #1 plate in 08.

How did you end up on the GNCC side?
Working with Dietrich, I got to meet a ton of people. I lived with Brenden Ritzman, who rode for RPM KTM in the WORCS series for a couple of years in Ca. At the WORCS races, everyone on the KTM team was always friendly, and it always seemed like a great work environment. When I got the opportunity to join in late 2010, working for Kailub Russell and Russell Bobbitt, I was and still am very grateful for the opportunity.

What is your favorite part about the GNCCs?
My favorite part about the GNCC's is the race format. It's long enough to test the endurance of any rider. And the pace is continually getting faster!

Alright before we wrap this up, anything else you want to add?
If I could just thank Drew Ivey for influencing me to get into the sport when we were growing up, Jon Adams for hooking me up with my first job, Brad Nauditt for being awesome to work for. Ricky D for the opportunity, Jeff Decker and Jensen Hendler for teaching me so much. Antti Kallonen for this current opportunity. My parents for keeping me moving forward, and always being there. My girlfriend Brittney for staying with me, when I am gone so much. Kailub Russell and Russell Bobbitt for being awesome to work with. And the entire FMF KTM crew!