Reggie Shepperd
April 03, 2007
Life as the mechanic has its ups and downs, you take the rough with the smooth, what looks like the second best job in the world (after being a rider) can sometimes have its knock backs; for RWJ mechanic Reg Sheppard, everyday is taken in his stride, the ‘it’s all part of the job’ attitude makes life a little easier and the work more satisfying, all of a sudden, the bad day at the races could have easily been replaced by digging up tarmac on the M25 which make the good days even more fruitful. The genuine man from Andover in Hampshire tells us a little about life on the motocross scene.
MOTO: When did you first get started as a race technician?
REG: I knew Steve Dixon from years back racing AMCA. He had stopped racing and become a mechanic, I carried on and used to get Steve to tune my engines and service my suspension, in return I helped him evenings and some weekends, stickering up plastics, cleaning bikes etc, doing the shit jobs. I stopped racing in 1998 and was helping Steve more and more. I spannered for Brad Anderson at the Foxhills GP that year and then decided that was what I wanted to do. I asked Steve if he knew of any jobs going as a mechanic and in the middle of 1999 he said he would need someone for Carl Nunn the next season.
What was your first break?
That was with Carl Nunn, he was a top rider even then and wanted to win so badly.
Who are your favourite riders you have worked with?
They have all been good but I’ll have to say TC and James Noble. They both give 110%, never give up and if they have a bad day at the office don’t blame their tools.
Have you ever not got on with a team?
Motocross is a small community, travelling and living in the truck, staying away for two to three weeks at a time, that’s the job and at times there is tension and tempers can fly, you’ve just got to get on with it.
Best team manager?
Church Kawasaki. MJ is the boss but Paul Trevathan ran the day-to-day things. Paul worked for factory Kawasaki for years so he knows what it takes to win, I learnt a lot from him. He’s also one of the lads and mucked in with the whole team.
Best and worst parts of the job?
The best is the satisfaction of seeing your bike at the front of a race. The worst is the travelling and cleaning up after a wet weekend.
Worst cock-up?
That was in 2000, the British Championship at Lyng. Rinaldi had sent another ignition in the week to help with the starts, but in practice the ignition broke. So we had to use the spare bike to qualify, he did pole. Steve got the race bike fixed and Carl used both bikes for start practice. Carl said the race bike was faster but the spare was more responsive, that was down to jetting. So I set the race bike up the same and he got the holeshot and won both 125 motos. After each moto I checked the piston for detonation, it had a bit so I used a new head for the last race. I warmed up the bike and the head was leaking on the O-rings with only ten minutes to go till the park ferme closed Steve and I put the old head back on and got there just in time. Three laps in I saw coolant coming out of the coolant drain, I ran back to the truck to get a bolt and some coolant, but unfortunately he didn’t make it back round to the work area. In the rush I hadn’t tightened the coolant drain bolt enough. I was gutted.
Best day at the races?
Has to be the week before Lyng, Plomion GP, France. Carl was pole in his group in qualifying and won both motos convincingly to take the overall, he was unstoppable that weekend.
Most talented rider you have worked with that failed to use it all?
Carl Nunn, he has so much natural talent. He went on to the 250s MX1 and lost his way a bit and came second in the British Championship so many times. He’s much better suited to the small bike; I’m so pleased that he has finally won the British Championship. Good on ya Carl!
What is the trickest bike you have worked on?
I would have to say Tallon Vohland’s ‘02 KX125 Kawasaki. That had some trick stuff.
Which bike would like to have worked on?
Factory YZF400 Prototype 97. Also any of Thorpey’s HRC 500s.
Have you ever crashed a race truck?
I haven’t, but I was a passenger in the Molson Kawasaki truck last year in the queue at Calais waiting to check in, when some mad Italian reversed his artic in to the front of the truck. Hot Tub, the truck driver for Molson, lost it, he was so pissed off! He keeps the truck spotless; it’s his pride and joy.
What is your best gift from a rider?
Come on we’re talking about the UK, it’s not like the USA. I did get Vohland’s sprayed up lid, that’s cool. It’s in my workshop now. Also James has given me a set of his kit from the Des Nations and his British Bulldog helmet.
If you hadn’t got into motocross what would you have done?
I am a car mechanic by trade, so maybe still doing that, but then I wouldn’t have met some of the top riders in the world.
Who do you turn to when things get too much?
That will be my wife, Catherine. We got married in February this year.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’m not doing GPs next year, but I’m staying involved with Motocross. I have my own workshop at home and am starting my own business doing bike preparation work; I hope to still be involved with British Championship racing.
Finally, words to live by?
Respect, focus, passion for what you do, trust.
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