Anchorage Dirt Bike Rider Heads South for Worldwide Competition

Chad Yoshitomi will ride his dirt bike more than 1,200 miles in South America

Tools

By Kate McPherson
Bio | Email

Story Created: Oct 20, 2012 at 9:19 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2012 at 9:29 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Since graduating from East High in 1982, Chad Yoshitomi has spent many days with his head under the hood.

He’s worked as a mechanic at Fats Automotive Parts on International Airport Road for more than 20 years.

"A lot of people want we to work on motorcycles, but everybody wants me to work on them during the summer when I want to ride, so that's why I work on cars,” said Yoshitomi.

Yoshitomi moved to Anchorage from Seattle in 1974 and says, when he first arrived, development was so minimal that he could ride his dirt bike all through town on the shoulders of the road.

Riding is Yoshitomi's passion -- and it’s one that’s going to take him to the other side of the equator.

Last month, the dual sport motorcycle rider competed in Utah, navigating through tight obstacles as part of the West Coast qualifying event for GS Trophy South America.

The 48-year-old scored himself one of the three spots on Team USA.

“This is a dream come true; I've never been out of the country except for Canada,” said Yoshitomi before practice at Kincaid Park on Thursday.

GS Trophy combines on and off road challenges covering more than 1200 miles starting in Chile in November.

BMW puts on the event for 50 riders from around the world to demonstrate team spirit, fitness, tenacity and riding skills over six days.

In preparation, Yoshitomi just bought a 2013 R1200 GS Adventure.

“Its got 50 miles on it, and today we are going to see if we can get her dirty and not dump it over,” said Yoshitomi at Kincaid.

Yoshitomi says he feels fortunate to be able compete and travel, especially when he's doing the one thing that he enjoys most.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

mitch said on Sunday, Oct 21 at 7:34 PM

Well done Chad, looking forward to you wiping to field in South America.

104529386
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.