DREAM JOBS: HOW TO MAKE A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE (08/01/12)


STEVE BUTLER
YAMAHA R&D DEPARTMENT

STARTING POINT : “In 1988 I came on holiday from Australia and met Doug Dubach at Reche Canyon. He needed a mechanic, and I took the job. I worked with Doug for two years, but I think it cost me money. Yamaha hired me to be Jeff Emig’s mechanic in 1991, and we won the 125 National Championship in 1992. Eventually, I became the race team supervisor before moving to the Yamaha testing department.”

THE JOB : “I think everything I learned as a mechanic has helped me in testing prototypes. I fly to Japan a couple times a year and spend most of my time at test tracks. Developing a bike that gets good reviews is rewarding, but it’s hard to beat the feeling of winning a race. At the end of the day, I’m still listening to what the riders have to say about the bike and trying to make it better.”

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