Atlanta, Georgia,  May 12, 2009:  Clarkston, Georgia based technical college builds on existing strategic partnership with Liberty Waves Racing and creates internship opportunity to gain real-world experience by serving as team’s crew on AMA professional road race circuit. 

This is a tremendous learning opportunity for our students, states Mike Sachs, head of the  program.  We have supported riders on the WERA circuit, but being part of a professional AMA race team is a tremendous opportunity to do something extraordinary and exceptional.

This is part of a growing collaboration that started two years ago, comments Liberty Waves Managing Director, Kirsten Haas.  In exchange for helping promote DeKalb Tech Motorcycle Service Technology Program at the 2007 Road Atlanta race, DeKalb Tech provided capable mechanical hands and technical assistance to fine-tune our race bike.  Since then, our partnership has grown to much more. 

In 2008, Liberty Waves launched its second season on the pro AMA road race circuit and made the strategic decision to purchase a new Yamaha R6 to better compete in the highly competitive supersport class.  Time was running short and we needed help, explains rider Eric Pinson, and Mike Sachs and I had tossed around the idea of involving students to convert a stock bike to race-track-ready– so we made it happen. 

Two weeks before the second round in Barber, Alabama, the team delivered the new 2008 Yamaha R6, 500 miles off the showroom floor, to the programs well-equipped shop.  A team of three students were assigned to work on the bike under the supervision of Sachs, Pinson and Crew Chief Jamie Spinks. 

The arrangement marked a win-win scenario for all parties, adds Haas.  It was a great way to get the bike ready for the race track while also giving back to the community.  Work was videotaped for use as an instructional tool for program future students.  

In ten days, the conversion was complete.  A sparkling prepped race bike rolled out of the school shop and into the race transporter to head west to Barber Motorsports Park.  A strong contingent of DeKalb Tech program alumni showed up to show their support and excitement of the school presence at an AMA pro-national event. 

Alumni, Daniel Atkins of Blairsville, GA, braved the 2 hour drive on his supermoto bike in the rain to be there.  After graduating, I spent a year working for a dealership, but my dream was to go racing, explains Atkins.  The team was so impressed by his passion, they invited him to join the team.  He did and within 48 hours was copiloting the race transporter, rolling west to the next race in California as part of a four-month road trip.  By the second half of the season, Atkins worked into the role of chief mechanic for a second rider under the Liberty Waves umbrella, Eric Haugo.  Atkins assumed responsibility for preparing teammate Haugos two race bikes and helping him achieve some top twenty finishes.

Entering the 2009 season, Liberty Waves broadened its race fleet with the addition of a Buell 1125R to race in the
AMA Moto GT endurance class.  This 2-hour race requires pit stops to be manned by a capable crew for fueling and quick tire changes.  Sachs suggested the idea of a race crew internship to fulfill the practical portion hands on and real world portion of the program.   Under the supervision of Liberty Waves crew chief, Jamie Spinks, students deal with the high stress immediate challenges that team mechanics tackle during race weekends, handle preparation and organizational aspects between races and build people-skills required for professional motorsports fan interaction. 

 It is a big commitment. states Sachs.  While conventional internships only last a few months, this internship stretches over 6 months, requires the sacrifice of 6 to 7 weekends and requires travel to some of the countys most prestigious and revered race venues. 

Three students have risen to the challenge:  Kolin Hargrave, Adam Bruce and Ted Reed. 

What the Interns Say
I couldn’t be more stoked, explains Hargrave. I knew I was hooked when we nailed the tire change at the Road Atlanta
Moto GT race and then made it to the podium, pure adrenaline.  

 I can hardly wait for the next race, states Bruce, having experienced one weekend where things went great and one weekend where things were not so great, we are ready to take on whatever comes our way.

Learning about the bikes is great, but we see opportunity to help the team in other ways, like organizing the race transporter and helping set protocols.  It is great to learn stuff and know that we help make a positive difference for the team to help them win the GT1 championship.

About DeKalb Tech Motorcycle Service Technology
This program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the motorcycle repair industry. The program emphasizes a combination of mechanical theory and practical experience. The program includes courses in engines, chassis systems, electrical systems, fuel systems, and includes an internship experience.