Insight: Brett Metcalfe
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 | 9:50 AM
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PrintWhere's Brett Metcalfe? After a big crash over the summer ended his 2012 season early, we haven't heard much from the likable Australian. Between tending to his new baby boy, Nash, and rehabbing from his injuries, Metty gave us some time to talk about his crash, his recovery, and his future.
Racer X: Hey there, Metty. What are you up to today?
Brett Metcalfe: Right now I'm at home and I just finished up my leg exercises. Still rehabbing my leg from the broken tibia, and still rehabbing the wrist, I dislocated the lunate bone. They're getting better, but they're on the slower side of the scale, so I'm still a few months from riding again.
This is an exceptionally long amount of time. Was it exceptionally bad?
Well, typically tibias take longer to heal because it's a large bone. I had my last x-rays two weeks ago and there was still some healing to do. I had surgery to have a rod inserted, and that adds some stability. I also had surgery done on the wrist; there was some carpal tunnel damage on it from the dislocation. The wrist is probably more of a time consumer than the leg.
So explain what happened with this crash. We heard you ran out of gas—take us through it.
Sure. During that period of time, after round five, I was sitting fifth in points and things were going pretty good. I was really starting to ramp things up and push through that part of the season. I was at Glen Helen, I had just done a warm up and was ready for a moto. So we filled the bike up, the gas tank was completely full of gas, and that day I was using a practice mechanic I had used many times before. He has done a whole season with me in the motorhome, so he has good credentials. So, I did my 30 minutes and on the last lap of the moto, I completely ran out of gas on a rhythm section, and I was forced to bail over the front. I had my leg out front, and that's what broke the leg. I face planted pretty hard. I was actually pretty lucky to only have the wrist and the leg injuries considering how hard I crashed. It was a frustrating deal, something that shouldn't have happened. When you think about all the things that can happen in racing, running out of gas in a practice crash isn't very fun.
A crash in practice earlier this year. where he ran out of gas, will keep Metty on the sidelines through supercross.
Simon Cudby photo
Well, what leads to running out of gas? There are a million variables—you ran out of gas at Southwick two years ago. So anything can happen.
Yeah that's true. I ran out of gas at Southwick two years ago, and [Ryan] Dungey ran out of gas at Texas last year. Now with the four strokes it needs to be on peoples' radars that it can happen. I've been struck by a few things in my career that happened during the week that people didn't even know about. Back in 2009, on the 250, the engine locked up on like a 90-foot table top. I endoed and landed on my head. I was luckily able to walk away from that. In 2010 I had a chain break and I went over the bars on the face of a jump. I dislocated my ankle. Then I ran out of gas at Southwick on the GEICO Honda even with an oversized tank on. But all of those incidents, they were just mechanical things. On a motorcycle, things can and will break at any given time and as professionals we all understand and accept that fact. But this was a different set of circumstances. There was actually the wrong fuel tank on the bike, or if it was meant to be there, they never told me. At the time of the crash, I had it running through my head, ‘How the heck did this just happen?’ At the time I trusted in the team and they indicated to me that I would never run out—after Dungey ran out in 2011 and that would never happen again. It was frustrating. Once I had the surgery and got out of the hospital, I was looking over the bike and realized it had a stock tank. And stock tanks, they don't have enough capacity to run the full factory engine and our different mapping. That was the reason for the crash; the incorrect fuel tank was put on the bike.
How does that happen?
From my perspective, I would hope it was just an accident, but things like that aren't supposed to happen on factory teams. I haven't had any communication from them at all about it. I haven't gotten the bottom line on it and I probably won't get an answer. It was just unfortunate on my end to be on the short end of it. To my knowledge they have three fuel tanks, the stock one they had on my bike that day, the factory tank that's about a liter bigger, then a carbon fiber one that got made up after Dunge ran out last year while using the factory tank. We used the carbon one for racing and the factory tank for practice, but unfortunately on this day they didn't have either one on there.
Who preps your bike?
I live in California, so I'm 45 minutes from the factory Suzuki shop. So they prep up a bike in house, I generally go in there once a week, so that's pretty good for me to have a good bike to ride every week. But yeah, something was misplaced, and the incorrect tank was put on, and it shouldn't have happened.
A lot of times when a rider gets hurt due to a bike problem like this, the team has some sympathy and maybe offers the rider a deal for the next year—I know Andrew Short was hurt last year testing KTMs, and he could have come back to the team if he had wanted. So how did this impact your negotiations with the team?
Well, it changed a lot of things. For one, it changed my season because I wasn't able to race, so that hurt my chances to re-sign with Suzuki, or if they weren't interested, it hurt my chances of signing with another team. As far as Suzuki, I've tried to keep this as professional as I could, and that's why I haven't discussed this incident publicly until now. And when they asked for the bike back, I scrubbed it up as best as I could and returned it to them. Nothing was said since the crash, nothing has been said about what happened with the tank. So far my contract is expired and I haven't heard a word from them.
Traditionally your results do get better in the second half of the year—in both 2010 and 2011 your best finishes, including your win in 2011, happened late in the season.
Right and you can look back, since '08 the strongest point of my season really is the last half. And that's a little bit about how I set things up. There's no reason to take huge risks at the beginning of the season and put yourself out. So that was unfortunate to me to not get things rolling in the second half. But like you mentioned, it was only a little over a year ago that I won at Southwick, and it was with those guys at Yoshimura Suzuki. Since that time, the guys over here and the Japanese have been good to me. It was unfortunate that things ended the way they have. I had some good times with those guys.
Metcalfe has been linked to Valli Yamaha for the 2013 season, but nothing is official.
Simon Cudby photo
We hear you're linked to the Valli team for next year. So, when do you get back on a bike, when do you race again, and who will you race for?
I'll start off with getting back on the bike. I won't come back until I'm 100 percent healthy, and that won't be in supercross next year. I've made a decision to race outdoors only for next year. I've talked to a few teams, and supercross is so big that's it's challenging to get a ride like that, but we've got a few things we're working on and they should be set soon. You can probably read about those rumors on other parts of Racer X! But for me personally I'm 28 years old, I'm not even near the end of my career yet. I don't want to come back too early in supercross, go down on my wrist and re-injure it. So my plan for now is outdoors only for 2013, then back to full-time supercross and motocross in 2014.
Through all of this you and your wife Sheena had your first child, a boy. What kind of condition where you in during that?
Yeah by then I was able to get into a walking boot, and use one crutch. I could only use one hand on a crutch because my other wrist was in a cast. So I was able to hobble around and support my wife Sheena through the whole process. Little Nash came out super healthy and everything turned out great, but it was a little nerve wracking for a while. When I crashed, I was thinking, ‘This is the last thing I need to have happen right now.’ And anyone who has been through both knows the wife can get a little cranky sometimes! So you just have to be there and give the most support you can. I was just glad I was able to hobble around and help her a little.
So the future looks good.
Yeah, I think there's a good picture being painted for the future. My position next year will have me racing the 450 nationals and being ready to go for another win. I'm looking forward to what the future holds.
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Sucks for Metty. He is a good guy and deserves more support from Suzuki since it sounds like it was their fault for the crash. I hope he gets back to 100% and gets a good ride for motocross.
Suzuki seems like a bunch of dirtbags
I think he should hold off signing with anybody. By late winter/early spring some of the big teams will be looking for replacement riders, and they'd be lucky to get him.
Look at this from your wife's point of view: you were crippled during the birth of your child. You have the rest of your life to live as a father and husband and it is time to be there for your family in strong physical and mental states.
I respect Metty and all that he has accomplished in the sport, but it might be time to move on with the next stage of his life.
On the other hand, you can accept that there is no such thing as financial security or guaranteed physical safety and live life to the fullest without regret.
Top off the tank and ride and ride on, brother.
Dam Metty sure wants some answers..... and i dont blame him! As a fan of Dungey, i was pissed at suzuki when his bike ran out of gas last year. Now Im pissed at them again. Brett didnt deserve this. Hope he keeps his head up and gets back in the game
Dam Metty sure wants some answers..... and i dont blame him! As a fan of Dungey, i was pissed at suzuki when his bike ran out of gas last year. Now Im pissed at them again. Brett didnt deserve this. Hope he keeps his head up and gets back in the game
@endoman
Thats a great point
Won't be buying a Suzuki any time soon....the treatment of riders in this sport is sad. By the way, this is all Stewart's fault!
I agree with endo man.If SX in 2013 is like 2012 chances are there will be an opening on every major team for the nationals.He should of not said anything about the Suzuki.Remember they have JS7.Chances are good that he could ride the Yosh.Suzuki this summer.
Suzuki hired James the lawn dart Stewart soon after the 2nd race of the out door season they realized that they were going to need a LOT of parts. It's no wonder that they let Metty go.
I appreciate that he is telling the truth about the circumstances that led to his injury. He wasn't a test rider for the factory, but someone who was paid to present the product by competing at the highest level. He should have been told about the bike and possible limitations before being allowed to train and practice on it.
Good point Fred, may have been a good play for Metty to hold back on the Suzuki stuff and waited for James to break himself again.
Metcalfe, get a good attorney and sue. You are not a weekend warrior or a test rider. Your were an employee of Suzuki who was negligently given the wrong equipment to do your job. You are eligible for pain and suffering, all medical expenses, lost earnings and the negative impact this will have on your overall future employment as a professional motocross/supercross rider. You have a family to support and can not afford to take one for the team..plus it sounds like the team doesn't even want you on the team. Any future employer will know you were justified in taking legal action against Suzuki. They have a long history with this issue and they totally blew it with your bike!
Why is it that the factory teams or any other teams can do or say what they want to a rider and have repercussions? They have no respect for you as a person who is risking their life for your bike brand. Thanks Metty for standing up and telling your side of the story. Most riders would have kept their mouth shut hoping that maybe they could still get a ride.. Where is the RIDERS UNION for these guys? Cmon Reed your are the perfect person to start one.
@foundwood ya it's definitely cool he's straight up and not just tow the mx corporate line like usual situations.
I hope someone picks up Metty, he works hard and is fast. This will be Suzuki's loss about 4 weeks into the season.
@ Frankenstorm.........What happened to that kid is disgusting, thankfully here in Canada we have some protection from companies pulling crap like that. What a way to add insult to injury, I wish nothing but bankruptcy on companies that treat fellow citizens like that.
I have no interest in doing any business with Suzuki, after hearing this story. Too bad because I hear the 2013 RMZ 450 is a good bike... Good luck Metty, heal up soon!
bum deal sure......now to be fair and play Devils advocate, there are 2 sides to every story of course.....I am sure part of his contract had Suzuki picking up the tab for medical bills, so im sure he's covered there....I think the whole tank issue was just a accidental thing.......things happen sometimes as even Bret says...it was a mistake made and nobody caught it unfortunately.....Personally, with Stew coming on board and Brets performances prior to the accident, his future at Suzuki was already unknown anyway as his contract was up....so who knows what was said....phone works both ways....
..perhaps Suzuki didnt know of the tank blunder until now (it is possible)??? and they thought they had a disgruntled employee who may want off the team....No doubt JS7 took all the limelight in the Suzuki camp, especially coming out of the box with 4 straight moto wins while Metty had subpar performances......nobody knows for sure...it doesnt sound like a good situation - but nobody knows for sure what happened.......
Much as I hate to bring up the whole "Stewart can't finish a complete season discussion", Suzuki seems to be betting the farm that he will.
As far as getting a lawyer, I'd imagine a big corporation like Suzuki could unleash 100 lawyers to his one. They probably have language so tight, they could sue him if he even contacted a lawyer.
Well let us see.... Honda dumped Carmichael after he blew out his knee.(his contract was up too) .....its happens in all sports with all teams.
I don't believe they would have resigned him even if he was healthy & finished in the top 5. Suzuki is now giving factory support to RCH Racing so they have multiple riders.
It would be sweet to see RCH Racing sign him to a summer nationals only ride since he is
familiar with the bike.
Team managment at SUZUKI sucks balls and sadly not surprised you guys did Metty like that. One of the best guys in this sport and you just sh!t all over him. Yes, contract dropping is the name of the game in this sport, but to not even call the guy and give him an explanation. You guys screwed up on the tank placement for practice and it ended up lawn darting him. He was a loyal factory racer for your team, grab your balls and have some f'ing dignity.
I'll never buy yellow and will deter many of my riding buds from doing so as we all get new bikes pretty much every year. We're some old rich bastages and love spending our money on bikes. We won't be buying yellow and won't be buying those overpriced Yosh pipes. Go with MRD and buy quality and service over some overpriced trash can tin.
@MX Bob, you generally cannot sue an employer for negligence. In exchange, the employer pays the medical expenses and salary/wages per the contract as consideration for that employee waiving the right to sue the employer for negligence. The one exception is if there is an OSHA violation. Though Suzuki likely has many lawyers, only one can legally be assigned to a case at the “attorney of record” in any court. Provisions allowing an employer to sue an employee that seeks legal advice have been rendered illegal in every state since every person and corporation has a right to legal representation.
I think what is happening at Suzuki is likely similar to what is happening at Kawi. To sign RV for 3 years, Kawi axed its off-road Team to free up dollars for RV (probably a good move with Honda and KTM deep pockets out there). I assume to sign Stewart and the costs associated with the JS traveling show and all its accoutrements, Suzuki is tight for dollars.
It just goes to show how a lot of guy's are rethinking now day's about Factory rides!! First example Dean Wilson could have had a factory ride. Mike Alessi has been there done that. But look at him now at Moto Concepts a lot happier and better results. Chad Reed how factory teams left him hanging. The most like rider for years has been a non factory team and making a good living and being happy!!! K-DUB. I could go on and on. What i'm trying to say is, if you can enjoy what your doing without all the stress!!!!! and still make a living at it your much more happier and more productive as a person or racer.....
I know for a sure that Metty did in fact tell Suzuki about his issue with the tank a week after crashing at Glen Helen. He wrote and extremely professional letter to Suzuki informing them of the details only to here nothing from them. An interesting note is almost a week later James is riding in a video an he has the carbon fiber tank on his bike. This is not said to place blame on James but to highlight the fact that Yoshimura Suzuki was well aware of the gas(tank) issue.
As Metty stated he ran out of gas in 2010 and Dungey lost his championship(2011) due to running out of GAS AT FREESTONE ... After that incident GAS TANK issues should never arise PERIOD AT SUZUKI. One writer stated hey maybe Metty should have recognized the difference well the practice tank at one liter larger is very hard to differ from the stock tank. The other point is that riders without a doubt should be able to trust whats on the bike. At the factory level When a rider has to go over the entire bike BEFORE RIDING IT ....You know you have issues on the team and rider performance will be inconsistent at best. SUZUKI doesn't suck it's more to due with organizational management.
I GIVE METTY PROPS for letting the people know and for not dropping specific names. Metty is a consumate professional and should not be treated like this. Being in the sport for over 35 years I am shocked that they would treat a rider like Metty in this way.
Brett is a great guy and representative for the sport. He rides hard, gets good results, stays out of trouble, and never complains. In this business, he is a model rider. I hope he finds a home after he heals up.
@ 909r I totally agree with you.He could have been killed.
Suzuki seems like they are trying to sweep this under the carpet an hope it goes away.
I have not and hopefully never will have to sue anybody.
I got hit on my MTB last year by a nice mercedes suv when she failed to look after a rh turn stop sign.Turned out it was the wife of the owner of a huge pest control company.I just asked they paid for my bike repair.She even gave me a ride home.I noticed later I had a cut achillies tendon.Not deep just cut.
But in Metty's case.I'd sue.
Next Suzuki press release: "Stewart Injured. Out for season."
Next Suzuki press release: "Mike Webb and Yoshimura Suzuki part ways"
Next Suzuki press release: "Yoshimura Suzuki taps Metcalfe as fill-in for Stewart"
If people are going to point fingers, you can only blame the prep mechanic if anyone at all....and it was a mistake, a dumb one....but a mistake.....It has nothing to do with Stewart .....surely the Suzuki folks have more than 1 fricking gas tank......
It sucks that Metty got hurt. But truth be told nobody has done less with more than Metty.
909R??? seriously sue suzuki? It would be easy to say that its Mettys fault or the mechanics fault for not inspecting the equipment properly. they should have known by how much gas they put in the bike. Now I am not condoning what Metty is saying is Suzukis attitude, but Sueing is not the answer.
And the last thing this country needs is more Unions geez.
As far as the "kid" who got hit by a car and lost his job. There are already LAWS in this country to protect him from getting fired. It doesn't matter what state your in.
Anyhow, It will be good to see Metty back for MX, can anyone say 22?
Pitbull.who says them orange bikes don't have a 2nd rider lined up for outdoors 2013.........
Metty is a top 10 guy every week! Even if everyone is healthy. He can consistently beat guys like Brayton, Grant, Tedesco, Chisholm, Millsaps, Short, Craig. He keeps the bike on 2 wheels every week, if any of the fast 5 (or 7 this season) goes down hes right there to capitalise. Suzuki will come crawling back to him when JS7 is injured.
@Blue445, with that union crap I am sure you are voting for Obummer.
Metty is one of the good guys!!! Bummer he won't be ready for supercross. He is smart to make sure he is 100% before racing again.
Hey those four strokes are pretty neat. Nice to see how well they are working after 14 years of development. You can't give the Yamaha's away and they are still overweight pigs. But at least they don't turn well, are hard starting, expensive to mod and maintain, and perform tricks like "lock up before a 90ft tabletop, run out of gas at a moments notice."
Lets just ignore the 50HP 212lb "other bike" that has features such as "starts up, turns, simple, cheap." How are you supposed to ruin careers and bankrupt the sport on machines like that? They don't even do the machine-gun rev limiter.
@ Micahdogg......4 strokes are better race bikes, plain and simple. I own a 2 stroke and it's fun as sh*t but they don't hold a candle to how well a new 4 stroke race bike works whether the 2 stroke die hards can get out of the past or not. Most people's 4 stroke problems are self inflicted, I haven't had a mod or stock 250F or 450F blow up since I switched to 4 strokes as my primary race bikes in 2005.
By the way, running a strung out time bomb 250 2-stroke that you have to rebuild every 10-15 hours is no cheaper and they're 10x more likely to scatter than a stock or lightly mod 450 that will still walk away from you when it comes time to actually put the power down on the track.
@RMZ819 Close but I think Brayton holds that crown. Metty has won races, metty has rather consistently finished in the top 5 and top 10 through many indoor and outdoor series. Brayton is a top 15 guy on an average day and somehow gets ride after ride on good teams.
To the person that wrote the subtitle, "Metty comes clean on the crash that ended his 2012 season":
The term "comes clean" is not appropriate. It implies prior deceit -- that Metcalfe was previously not truthful and is now fessing up to the truth. That is clearly not the case and is misleading. It was also tweeted by Racer X, and made me go WTF?
"Metty breaks silence on the crash..." would have been more accurate.
Metcalfe wasn't an employee of Suzuki. No factory rider is. They are contract workers, which is different. They are paid for a singular service and are not entitled to benefits from the company that they are under contract with. That's why the riders need to pay their own medical bills and such. There is probably a stipulation in their contracts that won't allow the riders to sue them under almost any circumstance. These are major corporations we're talking about, and you can bet they make sure their contracts have iron clad safety nets. Also, many of the riders themselves are usually home schooled and probably sign whatever is placed in front of them as long as there are enough zeroes on the check.
Sue those MTF Mettys.
A good rider would know what kind of tank was on that bike. Period!!!!!!!
this whole thing sucks, but yeah, your legs touch the tank, he didn't notice a different tank in 30 minutes of riding? You guys act like they put it on without him having any knowledge of it. Especially since they run different tanks at races and practice, I'd say he shoulders some of the blame. He's been riding professionally for years, he's not a dummy.