He is a virtual unknown in New Zealand but James Robinson is a motocross megastar in Asia.
The Kiwi has won countless championships, and competed alongside elephants and lizards "the size of alligators". He has raced in jungles, across deserted islands and in remote villages from Cambodia to Guam. He was once engaged to a famous Malaysian pop singer and has coached members of the country's royal family.
Originally from Palmerston North, the 27-year-old has been based in Asia for nine years. He says the sport is booming across the region, with crowds of up to 30,000 at some meets.
"It's getting really big," says Robinson. "Often there are so many spectators, they are almost standing on the track. It's insane but in places like Indonesia, it is hard to control them and keep them off the track. They love it."
After meeting a promoter at a New Zealand event, Robinson joined the Asia Pacific Motocross Championship in 2002 and was soon picked for a full-time ride by a team based in Guam. He spent three years living in the US territory in Micronesia, enjoying the laidback people and lifestyle. He also visited many of the nearby islands, rich in World War II history.
He was then signed by KTM Racing Team in Malaysia in 2006, swapping the island lifestyle for the capital buzz of Kuala Lumpur.
It was there he met Malaysian MTV sensation Sarah Rassiuddin, and found himself splashed across gossip columns during their relationship.
For the past two years, Robinson has raced for another Malaysian-based outfit, Clear Motor Kawasaki. He is also heavily in demand across the region as a coach.
"I get emails out of the blue where people want to pay me some crazy amount of money to come and coach them - or their sons - for a couple of days."
Recent assignments have included stints in India and Thailand.
Of his many experiences, Robinson nominates racing in Manado, Indonesia, amid intensely high security as one of the most memorable. At the time, there had been several kidnappings and organisers were taking no chances. He also enjoyed the challenge of China and racing in Thailand, with elephants lurking near the track.
Robinson is very aware of injury, especially as he is often competing long distances from the nearest hospital, but he has been lucky thus far. There have been "a few" concussions but he has yet to break a bone in the high-flying sport, the worst wounds being deep gashes on his elbows and shoulders, requiring up to 20 stitches.
Robinson has recently returned from Phnom Penh, Cambodia where he won the Total International Motocross Championship for the fifth time. He is next headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for his 'other' job, working for Air Atlanta Icelandic on their maintenance line. He was offered the position by an Icelandic motocross contact, and works continuous 14 or 21 day shifts in Jeddah around his racing, after which they fly him back to the destination of his choice.
Robinson is not one to be affected by culture shock but finds life in Jeddah quite intense. Under sharia law, the punishment for stealing can be as severe as cutting off your hand, and Robinson reports that there are often public beheadings in the town square for other crimes. He does not stray far from work or his condominium.
After almost a decade in Asia, this motorsport export has no immediate intention of returning home. He speaks "reasonable" Malaysian and has learnt enough of the other languages to get by in most of the countries he visits.
"Not everyone can adjust to being in Asia and living here but I like it as a lifestyle," says Robinson.
Motocross star enjoying the ride of his life
James Robinson is seeing plenty of the world. Photo / Supplied
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.