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GuyB
7/20/2015 3:27pm
7/20/2015 3:27pm
Edited Date/Time
4/10/2017 4:40pm
This week's guest in the Vital MX forum QNA is Brandon Anderson. Currently Blake Baggett's mechanic with the Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team, he got started as a practice bike mechanic for Ben Townley, Davi Millsaps, and Malcolm Stewart, among others.
Bring your best questions, and he'll be peeking in here this week to answer them. As always, keep it respectful, and ask questions that you would like in a face-to-face meeting.
The Shop
What has been your biggest adjustment in moving into a race-day mechanic role on weekends?
Thanks for stopping by the Vital sandbox and best of luck!
Congrats on the terrific results at Spring Creek. Keep up the good work.
To answer your question: I don't think that size is so much of an issue on the 450. It's more about the strength of the rider IN MY OPINION. At the factory level, each team has countless options to accommodate every riders size and their riding style. It's more about the riders ability to test, and make beneficial changes to the bike.
It's not an overnight deal, that's for sure. There were years of successes and failures in between. However, I never stopped wanting the privilege of working for a factory team. I know I have a good reputation as a hard worker, and that carried with me throughout the years from one gig to another. So, when I asked for the job, these guys knew of my reputation, and decided that I would be an asset to the team.
Actually, my first industry job was at Seminole PowerSports in Sanford, FL (shout out to BoKey!) I raced a lot before that, but I knew I'd never make a living from being pro. I graduated from MMI while working at the dealership, and took advantage of a lot of different opportunities in school that involved motocross. After graduation I found out that the Wonder Warthog team was offering a supercross internship. So, I would work the service counter at SPS, take college courses at night, then go to the races on the weekend (eventually getting my associates degree). During the mx season, I helped a couple of local pros also. Through word of mouth, this led to my first "real" job as a practice mechanic for Ben Townley during that bummer of an '08 season. However, I must say that working with him was one of the most informative and eye opening jobs that I've ever had.
I'd say the biggest adjustment is devoting your life to your job. We don't get a lot of free time. Either we're on the road, or in the shop. You have to have a very understand girlfriend/wife/family as well.
I'd also have to say, another big adjustment is having so many options. Lots of works parts...and options for those parts. You can't just grab a brake hose when you're rebuilding a brake system, or a linkage bolt, or a clutch cable.
What is a typical work week like for a mechanic at your level? Back in the 70's I believe the mechanics drove the box vans and practically slept with the bike during the week while also getting it to the next event. Pics of top mechanics working in hotel parking lots and bringing the works bikes into hotel rooms were commonplace.
What is it like for you? Airports and test tracks pretty much fill up your work week? During the racing season do you get any days off or is it a 7 day a week commitment?
Thanks Brandon
It was quite unusual having a semi to myself at first. On build days, you have the entire semi to yourself. Having other hands at your disposal on race day is something new to me. As a practice mechanic, you do a lot of things on your own. However, it's nice to have the extra hands on deck when there are fire drills.
Pit Row
It seems many a wrench/coach/man friend get through with that same path. I actually took Todd Brown to his first race, I know he's MMI and scrambled around the pits with privateers to teams to Showa. I'd always try and look him up, but since he had his hand on Bubba getting those wins he's been hard to catch up with...that and its been a few months away... tell him Tumblin said hi please. I also know that young whipper next door at RCH Travis Parry is another MMI grad. Both coming from the great state of Jefferson!
I have no question, just a request. As you may well know (since you've already admitted lurking) every panty wearer on this board has to criticize our best when they take to their podium interviews. I usually go for a beer, but I ALWAYS want to hear Blake....or mostly see him because I swear when he gives that stare into the camera he's going to wink! Have him hook us boys and girls in our panties up so I can get on with my cold one!
& Congrats on your excellent season!
Thanks for the interest!
https://youtu.be/SbHIxXiFAyA
Couple questions:
What's the trickest/sickest/coolest/dopest "works" part you've ever seen? Maybe something that never got put into production (or hasn't yet) or something they weren't allowed to use for the AMA races? It's always neat hearing a mechanic's perspective about some of the stuff they work on because they have a different appreciation for craftsmanship than their rider does (in most instances).
If you could swap jobs for a week with anyone in the industry, who would it be and why?
Do you ever have any friendly competition between mechanics from your team or other teams? Either racing your own bikes, fastest rebuild times, quickest tire changes, etc?
Again, thanks for hangin out with us, and good luck in the rest of the season!
Congrats on the recent podium.
I'm curious to know how closely you work with the engineers who make the changes to the bikes sold to the public. Do you see them on a regular basis or is it more of a scenario where you send them test data and comments.
I suppose I'm interested In how factory testing is integrated into new bike design.
Thanks,
Good luck with the rest of the season.
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