LRC EXCLUSIVE - Behind the Scenes: Scott Adkins

0 July 26, 2011, 6:39 a.m.

Main Photo: LRC EXCLUSIVE - Behind the Scenes: Scott Adkins

07/26/2011
By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

Many of us in the r/c industry are big time fans of motocross and supercross. In fact, many r/c racers also race motocross, and vice-versa. The two are a perfect crossover sport that goes hand in hand with each other. While there are many out there who race and participate in both, there is very few as close to the action in both sports as a good friend of ours.

As you might know this past supercross season was action packed with great racing and multiple winners. One of the biggest wins of the season came to the lites class rider, Ryan Sipes. Sipes, a veteran of supercross, took his DNA Shred Sticks Yamaha to the top, and right there beside him was his mechanic. His full-time mechanic and man behind setting up the winning Yamaha just so happens to also be a dominate force on the r/c track in his time off. With wins including the Airtronics Winter Nationals Electric 1/8, RC Pro Series, and many more, the TLR factory driver and man of the hour is Scott Adkins.

LiveRC: Hey Scott, thanks for taking some time out with us today. First things first, how did you get started in motocross and becoming a pro mechanic?

Scott: No problem. I first got started as a mechanic in the motocross field by racing at the pro level myself. I raced for a few years and when I knew I was done racing I still wanted to be around the sport, so I started asking teams if they needed help. I started out at the smaller scale teams and let my work speak for itself. I finally moved over to a factory team in 2005, Yamaha of Troy. From there it got a little easier.

LiveRC: Do you still currently ride and race in your free time?

Scott: Currently I don't even own a bike! haha But no I dont really ride anymore. Most of my time is spent testing or going out with Sipes and working on his bikes. At the end of the day I normally dont feel like going riding or working on personnel bikes. Also like the old saying is "you will never be as good as you once were". lol

LiveRC: How did you get linked up to be Ryan's mechanic full-time?

Scott: In 2007 I worked for Nick Wey over at MDK. Then in 2008 MDK merged with factory KTM. That formed MDK/KTM. The manager at the time said I could work for which ever lites rider I wanted, so I chose Ryan. I knew Ryan from the past and knew we would get along great! That is very important in being a mechanic with a rider. I knew with my experience and his skill we would make a great team. This is my fourth year with Ryan and we have had some great times!

LiveRC: We are aware that you can really wheel and r/c car. How long have you been racing r/c?

Scott: I got into r/c in 2008. I started out getting to know the guys over at Losi. Kevin Gahan, Dan Hissiam, Adam Drake, and Mike Truhe. Dan accually worked for Nick Wey a few years before me, so we had some stories! The more I got to know all of the Losi guys the more I found out how much they liked supercross and motocross. So I invited all of them to a few races and the rest is history. I work hard on my r/c to try and get better, I dont have much time so I try to make it quality. I also have alot of fun driving!

LiveRC: What is your proudest moment in r/c?

Scott: Well as you said I can wheel, but i'm far from the best. But I have had my moments! lol I was really happy in 2009 at the Sidewinder race to place 2nd in A main Int. buggy. There was also this time at the 1st annual Turkey Shootout when I tq'ed over The Drake. lol It was fun, and I have alot of respect for Adam, I think he will get a laugh out of this. haha

LiveRC: Is there any comparison to wrenching on an r/c car compared to Ryan’s bikes?

Scott: Yes, there is. Actually, one is just making sure all of the parts are clean and in racing condition. We disassemble the bike every week to clean and check for wear or fatigue. Before a big race in r/c I like to do the same.

LiveRC: You obviously have a very busy schedule travelling to all the races as a mechanic, but how often do you get to race r/c?

Scott: Well I dont get to go r/c as much as I would like but I go practicing a few times a week and I try to race as much as possible. I have recently been racing the new TLR 22 at OC-RC raceway in Huntington beach.

LiveRC: Would you trust Ryan to work on and set up your Losi cars, like he trusts you to set up his bike?

Scott: Yeah Ryan is actually a really good mechanic himself! He works on his bikes at home and his r/c cars all the time. He understands how things work and he is getting better at driving too!

LiveRC: If you weren't a motocross mechanic, would you pursue a career of some sort in the r/c industry?

Scott: Yes absolutely, r/c is fun and exciting working with new technology and using engineering skills to make cars work differently. Also there so many great people in the r/c industry and they would make working fun and productive at the same time. Thats why we all started racing r/c in the first place.

LiveRC: Be honest...how often do you rip out the 8ight and bash around at the motocross tracks?

Scott: We have driven on the supercross track a few times, you may be surprised at how much you can jump on a supercross track with a TLR 8ight 2.0! But for the most part we stay on local r/c tracks.

LiveRC: Where are you off to next for moto and r/c?

Scott: Next we are off to Unidilla New York for race number 9 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross national. Then we go to Mass., PA, and we end right here in Southern California at Pala Raceway. As for r/c race I will be at ocrc this weekend!!!

LiveRC: We wish you and Ryan the best of luck for the remainder of the outdoor mx season, and look forward to racing with you soon on the r/c track. Thank you so much for taking some time out today, is there anything else you would like to add?

Scott: For anyone that is thinking about getting into r/c, do it! You will have fun. I would like to thank TLR and all the guys over there. Special thanks to Kevin Gahan, Adam Drake, Dan Hissiam, Mike Truhe, Bill Jeric, Jerry Bloggett and JLR facility. Also horizonhobby.com, LiveRC, Orion, Spektrum, Nitrotane, Mark Pavidis at AKA, and everyone that has helped me along the way.

Check out the FCAMX video interview with Scott from the supercross season.

It was awesome getting to spend some time talking with Scott, and don't forget to tune in this weekend for AMA Pro Motocross Championship on SPEED Channel to watch Ryan and Scott fight for the win in the 250 Class! Best of luck to them both!