For Adam Helfrich, the world of motorsports has been a constant thread running through his life since his earliest memories. From gripping the handlebars of a snowmobile at just three years old to chasing speed on frozen rivers as a teenage drag racer, that first rush of adrenaline never really left. What started as wide-eyed fascination quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of motion, machines, and the freedom they offer.
Over the years, that passion has taken Helfrich far beyond the track—across continents, through mountain passes, and deep into the backcountry. Whether it’s a solo, soul-searching ride down the Pacific Coast, an off-road adventure in the Andes, or a 14,000-kilometre journey to Baja, Helfrich describes a lifelong pull toward the next ride.
How would you describe your first experience with motorsports?
My first real motorsports experience that sticks with me was around three years old. My dad worked for a snowmobile dealer and would come home with new sleds all the time, and although I was told I was placed on a sled within my first year, it wasn't until three that I had my first core memory. I remember my dad borrowed his buddy's race machine. It was loud, it smelled funny and was low. My dad picked me up, put me in front of him and pinned the throttle across a lake. I remember hanging on to the bars for dear life and flying across the lake with everything being a blur. After we turned around and he pinned it across the lake again and I remember laughing on the second pass back. It was my first taste of adrenaline (if that was a thing at a young age) and after that day if it had an engine, I was immediately drawn to it. After that I lived on snowmobiles throughout my younger years before being introduced to mini bikes and dirtbikes around the age of eight. That started a new obsession that I still have to this day.
What’s your earliest memory related to riding or watching races?
My earliest memory relating to racing was going to the annual Festival on the Red where snowmobile drag races were held on the river and watching these crazy fast machines rip down the ice so fast you could barely keep your eyes on them. I was around 14. Little did I know it, but two years after that I would be approached by a team owner to be a part of his team as a snowmobile drag racer. In my first season of racing I won many trophies and travelled around the province, beating a lot of veteran riders with many years of experience. It turns out I had lightning-fast reaction times on the green and could usually leave them at the line.
Is there a bike or other machine that’s particularly meaningful to you?
The machine that is very meaningful to me is my black 2009 Kawasaki Concours 14 I purchased in 2011. I bought it shortly after a separation and had always dreamt of doing a long-distance motorcycle trip. Within eight weeks of buying it I packed up and rode solo from Winnipeg to Los Angeles, up the west coast to Vancouver Island crossing at Port Angeles, Washington, touring the island before returning to Winnipeg. That was a 10,500-kilometre round trip in 21 days, solo. That trip was monumental in re-finding myself and getting in touch with my soul again. It might sound corny but that trip reinvented who I was as a person, spending many hours in my head and reflecting on life's ups and downs and finding a path forward that was meaningful to me. I still own that bike and it is a staple in my bike fleet that's grown over the years. Fourteen years later that bike still puts a smile on my face and holds a special place.
How does motorsports culture (the social scene, community, lifestyle) compare to other sports you like?
Honestly, the motorsports culture is so deeply embedded in me that it's the only sport I like. The motorsports world is so diverse on so many different terrains that I've never taken much interest in any other mainstream sports. I find the motorsports social scene and community brings people of all walks of life together and the monthly moto socials I attend brings hundreds of people together sharing stories about trips and adventures other than just the bikes. Bike life for me is a lifestyle, and anyone who knows me knows that every weekend I am out riding something, whether it be a concrete trip on my Concours 14, an on/off road adventure on my Honda Africa Twin adventure bike or my latest bike, a KTM 500 EXC-F, riding challenging terrain including camping at any time with any of them.
Can you tell me about a particularly memorable ride you've been on?
I have two very memorable rides that equal one another.
The first was jumping on a plane to Ecuador in South America for my 50th birthday with a total stranger to go ride the off-road backcountry of the Andes mountains. (We were) on Husqvarna 701 enduro bikes for eight days, only to end up learning about one another and becoming close friends who ride together at every opportunity.
The second and equally memorable ride was doing an epic adventure with my girlfriend, riding our bikes from Winnipeg to Cabo, Mexico and back—over 14,000 kms within the first year of her starting to ride a motorcycle! The sights we shared, the amazing food we ate and the culture we experienced puts Baja, Mexico as a place that holds a special place in my heart for not only myself but also my girlfriend—we have discussed going back there at some point again.
How have you seen motorsports evolve since you first got into it?
I've watched motorsports evolve from a male-dominated sport to seeing more and more women enter, enjoy and succeed in it. I had a female rider beside me when I drag‑raced sleds back when there were no females in it at all, and now I’m meeting and befriending many women who have a real passion for it, and I welcome it.
What changes would you like to see in riding culture?
The one cultural change I'd like to see is people coming together as riders instead of being separated and judged for the different style of bike they ride. In my many years of riding I find this to be the most frustrating. The bottom line is we all have the love of freedom a bike or riding brings, and that's what should bring people together without judgement. We all share the love of the wind in our faces.
Do you compete in events? If so, which ones?
I have competed in a few motorsports events over the years. I have competed in ice oval quad racing finishing 4th, quad drag racing taking 1st, snowmobile drag racing taking multiple 1st, 2nd and third place awards, motorcycle derbies and a Mercedes Ice driving event (Put on by AMG Mercedes) where I placed first in the "Race of champions" in a 503 hp RWD C63 AMG Mercedes on lake Winnipeg, and being the very first and only Manitoban to ever win it. I'm very competitive and always focus on precision riding or driving.
How important is community to the growth of the sport?
I feel that events and places to attend to share and expand skills are extremely important as having a safe place to push your limits is what expands your knowledge, skill and ultimately makes you better and safer. Unfortunately, Manitoba is very limited, and our one and only motorsports park has officially closed its doors last year leaving no place to go for car and sport bike events. Forums are a great place to discuss likeminded topics but can be difficult to keep focused on one topic before someone takes a different direction and the initial topic gets sidelined. I am not part of any clubs at the moment.
What has been your all-time favourite place to ride so far?
My all-time favourite places to ride are in British Columbia, Southern California and any U.S. BDRS (Backroute Discovery Routes). I find as I get older, I want to go further offroad down the unbeaten path where the viewpoints are stunning and be at peace with nature. I've ridden a lot of epic motorcycle roads throughout the years and am constantly looking for more. The world is a huge place to discover and no two corners are the same.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I have a true passion for motorsports focusing in my older age on bikes and offroad riding. I have two BDRS planned this year with one being Idaho and the second being either Washington, Montana or Wyoming (haven't decided yet) I also have one TCAT (Trans Canada Adventure Trail) route planned in B.C., as well and the final trip in MOAB Utah in October. My obsession with bikes has led me to collect upwards of a dozen motorcycles from different years, makes and genres of bikes with a few being true collector bikes.
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