Lascassas native Hubert Roland (Left) has traveled the world as a mechanic for extreme athlete Travis Pastrana (Right). (Photo submitted.)
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If one has watches the X Games during the past decade, or seen the MTV show “Nitro Circus” one has seen the daredevil tricks performed by popular rider Travis Pastrana on many vehicles.
However, Pastrana would probably never be able to accomplish most of these feats without the help of Lascassas native and motorcycle mechanic Hubert Rowland.
Rowland hooked with the popular rider about six years ago after Pastrana saw his work fixing bikes.
Their first meeting took place when Pastrana was practicing backfilps. The Lascassas native said Pastrana liked the way he worked on the bike and they have been together all over the world ever since.
“He is just like a normal guy,” Rowland said of his boss and friend. “His family treats me like family.”
Rowland has traveled around the world and across the nation during his career.
He said he has been to 47 states, and also visited several countries including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. However, Rowland, said it does not beat being home.
“My favorite place is home,” he said. “There is no place like it.”
Besides going to all of the events like the X Games, Rowland and Pastrana also travel with their action sports friends doing stunts as part of the “Nitro Circus” tour.
The group has produced several DVDs, they’ve had a show on MTV, and right now they are shooting a 3D movie that will come out during the holidays.
“The meaning of Nitro Circus is to hang out with friends and everybody gets paid,” Rowland said.
Some of the stunts include a guy in a wheelchair doing backfilps, and Pastrana trying a backflip on a big wheel and a monster truck.
No kidding.
One of the group’s goals is to try stunts that have been never been done before.
Nitro Circus has performed sold-out shows in Australia and New Zealand and this Saturday they bring their talent to Las Vegas for their first live event on American soil.
“We want to be known as one of the wildest action shows in the world,” Rowland said.
Rowland also has done many side projects including building tracks for the different professional events like, the AMA Arenacross Tour and Monster Jam.
“It’s like being an artist on dirt,” Rowland said of his work.
One day, Rowland said he would like to build an off-road park here in Middle Tennessee.
Right now, he wants to enjoy the moment and success.
“I’m going to ride this train until the wheels fall off,” Rowland said. “This is a dream come true.” MP |
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