Team Suzuki Japan's Hideki Hiratsuka

Hometown: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture 

Years Wrenching: 10 

Rider: Yohei Kojima 

Past Riders: Akira Narita, Cloud Toda

- Donn Maeda

Believe it or not, motocross is not as popular in Japan as it is in the United States—even though the majority of the world’s motocross bikes are produced on the tiny island country. That said, those who are involved in the sport—be they racers, mechanics, or support personnel—are a highly dedicated group of individuals. Such is the case with Team Suzuki Japan’s Hideki Hiratsuka, who currently spins wrenches on the works Suzuki RM-Z450WS piloted by former All Japan National Champion Yohei Kojima. Hiratsuka’s younger brother raced motocross, and Hideki learned the ropes by helping him all the way through his professional career. “I never tried riding or racing myself, because motocross is dangerous!” Hiratsuka said jokingly. “My job is on the other side, working on the bikes.”

Through the years, Hiratsuka has worked for many different Japanese racers. “All of them are famous in Japan,” he said. We first met him, though, when he worked for the late Cloud Toda during his stint as a Suzuki factory racer. Next, he worked for 11-time All Japan National Champion Akira Narita on the N.R.T. Yamaha team, before returning to the factory Suzuki squad as head mechanic, where he was paired with Kojima and earned the championship in 2015.