Yamaha Crew Chief Rick Hobbs Inducted into Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Recent MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Among Many of His Achievements Honored at 13th Annual Induction Banquet and Reunion
Cypress, CA – November 19, 2018 – Yamaha’s Rick Hobbs, Crew Chief for Cameron Beaubier’s 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship-winning Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing YZF-R1, was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame during a banquet and reunion that took place in Burnaby, British Columbia on Saturday night. Hobbs’ storied career, from dealership service manager to Superbike Championship-winning guru, received accolades as he was honored for a lifetime of contributions to road racing in both Canada and the U.S.
“It’s such an honor to be inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” said Hobbs. “Especially to be inducted the same year as my good friend Steve Crevier. It’s such a great feeling to be recognized. Congratulations to my co-inductees, also.”
Hobbs began riding motorcycles as a child, living in different parts of Canada with his family as they made their way to the city of Whitehorse in the Yukon territory when he was 12. In Whitehorse, he continued to ride and race throughout his teenage years while learning how to maintain and tune his motorcycle.
After high school, Hobbs attended a motorcycle repair school before eventually beginning his career as a Service Manager at a motorcycle dealership in Vancouver, Canada, owned by New Zealand road racer Gary Goodfellow. There, Hobbs cut his teeth as a professional road racing tuner while volunteering to support Goodfellow during the 1982 race season.
With a combined total of 20 Canadian and U.S. National Championships throughout his career, Hobbs has worked with and advised many riders on different brands of motorcycles, but his connection with Yamaha has been a big part of some of his fondest memories. Beginning with his role in Steve Crevier’s 1989 Canadian Pro Superbike Championship on the Yamaha FZR750RR OWO1, and Canadian Pro 600 Production Championship on the Yamaha FZR600, Hobbs found winning formulas for the Yamaha motorcycles he tuned and the riders who piloted them.
“It was with Yamaha motorcycles, working with Steve Crevier, that I won my first national championship,” said Hobbs. “That led to being hired at Vance & Hines on the Yamaha race team. My favorite race bike through the years is the Yamaha OWO1.”
Some of Hobbs’ most recognized accomplishments with Yamaha include: Eddie Lawson’s 1993 Daytona 200 win on the Vance & Hines Yamaha OWO1 Superbike; Jamie James’ 1994 AMA 600 Supersport Championship on the FZR600; Tom Kipp’s 1995 AMA Supersport 750 Championship on the Vance & Hines Yamaha YZF750; Josh Herrin’s 2013 AMA Superbike Championship on the Graves Yamaha YZF-R1; and Cameron’s Beaubier’s 2015, 2016, and 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championships on the Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing YZF-R1.
“Anyone who knows Rick Hobbs knows how much he deserves this Hall of Fame award,” said Yamaha Racing Division Manager, Keith McCarty. “Rick brings so much knowledge and passion into every paddock he has worked. His abilities go beyond the mechanical side of the business. To be a crew chief means that you find ways to motivate and support your rider and put him in the mental state get the job done. We’re very lucky to have Rick Hobbs as part of our Yamaha Racing team. Congratulations to Rick and his family!”
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