AMSOIL Swapmoto Race Series Rider Profile | Erik Sandin

By Dominic Gaytan

Age: 53

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Class Raced: 50 Novice

Sponsors: Backyard Design, NOFX

Erik Sandin is an avid motocross rider and racer, but he is known best as the drummer for the band NOFX. Once a co-team owner of the Moto-XXX team with Jordan Burns, Sandin says that his true passion revolves around two wheels and knobby tires, and we were stoked to see him on the starting line at our first race of the New Year!

How long have you been riding dirt bikes? We know that you are the drummer for NOFX so you probably don’t have a lot of time…

I have been riding dirt bikes since I was about 27. I had a bike when I was a kid but my parents never took me anywhere so I just rode up and down the street. So when I was 27 the band started doing well and I bought my first bike it was a 1992 Honda CR125R. I started racing around then. And as a drummer in a band that tours a lot, I rarely get to ride. I am in the middle of a six-month break so I am racing as much as I can. But, I can go up to a year without riding when we are on tour.

You used to be a co-owner of the Moto-XXX race team back in the day, how is the transition from being a race team owner to just a normal guy out riding and racing himself?

It’s not really any different. When Moto-XXX raced I didn’t race! I was in the stands watching as a fan. I have been a fan since I was a kid. I used to get Motocross Action Magazine and just stare at the pictures. I would imagine myself in there. I freaking love it. This is my real passion.

So how long have you been racing seriously?

I started racing in the 90s. For the last eight years I have been racing consistently for about eight years. But like I said I have to take a year off at a time sometimes. I love to race some motocross occasionally and also the Big 6 GP series.

We see that you’re here with Jordan Burns, formerly of Strung Out. We’ve seen the two of you at various tracks riding together, but what brings you guys out to the Swapmoto Race Series today? This is your first time, right?

My first experience here is awesome. The program runs fast and the people are awesome. The track is in great shape. To me, it’s a buzzkill when you do your first moto and have to wait around all day for your second race. Today I did my first moto at 9:00 a.m. and my second moto is coming up soon and it’s not even noon. What I do when I am off tour, is I look at my calendar and I pick and choose what races I want to do and which is good with my schedule. Today I had to talk Jordan into coming out and racing. I called him up and guilted into coming out today. I love racing with Jordan because he is super slow and I beat him and it is f-ing funny.

He’s on a 125 though!

He could be on a 1200cc bike and he would still be slow! He is carrying around a spare tire or four.

Will you be back out to our series?

Absolutely. 100% for sure I will be back. I normally do the Big 6 stuff because you know what time your race is going to be and then you go home right after. But the vibe here is awesome and I can’t wait for the next one.

Tell me about your race bike.

I am riding a 2014 KTM 350SX-F, disguised as a Husqvarna. I have Cone Valve forks and a Rekluse auto clutch. I love that thing because you can’t stall it.

Anyone who you would like to thank?

Of course! I need to thank my wife for letting me come out and do this! Thanks to Philip at Backyard Design for making my bike look cool. Thanks to Jordan for being my buddy, even though he’s slow. And thanks to the band, for giving me six months off to ride! Oh, and to Swapmoto Race Series for putting on a great race!