Meet Jarred Fixler | Owner & Race Team Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jarred Fixler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jarred, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started Motorsport Exotica out of necessity. I had recently moved from the East Coast to LA and was unable to find a local shop that did work to my standards. Some specialized in just one thing, others claimed they could do anything I asked for. Few delivered what they promised, had good communication, fair prices and specialized in performance modifications. I finally had enough and started working on my bike as well as my close friends just to help out. Eventually it took over. I had 20 bikes in a 2 car residential garage. Building engines on my washing machine, tuning forks next to my hot water heater. My girlfriend at the time finally had enough and told me to step up and open my shop or stop. Clearly I stepped up!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We at Motorsport Exotica pride ourselves for being a step above. We don’t have conventional hours, we work until the job is done. Our services cater to a niche market of performance based riders. Specializing in racing and performance work. We are one of only a few shops in all of Southern California that offer the services we offer. Exotica is also a bit different as we practice what we preach. Our fully in house staff runs a regional race team and has multiple championships in several classes to back it. Our knowledge extends past just dealership maintenance work. Working with dozens of international brands and being able to deliver products that are otherwise unobtainable to the general masses. Nothing about starting your own business is easy. Especially a service based company. Being able to deliver on time while maintaining an extremely high standard is what was the hardest. A lot of shops crank out work but its done haphazardly or rushed. Being able to set realistic expectations and deliver is one of the greatest achievements I feel we have conquered. If there is one major thing I want the public to know about Exotica its that we are real riders just like you. We save up our hard earned money for parts, we get up on Sundays to go ride early, and have a tremendous amount of pride for our bikes. Exotica is not a large corporate dealership or a chain shop that follow a cookie cutter business plan and execute accordingly. We cater to each individual client and strive to give the best experience possible. You can catch us out racing in several racing series, doing track days, and working with several SoCal riding schools. Don’t ever hesitate to come by and say hi or ask questions, as thats how we all got started!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man, this is a good question. If any of my friends came out to SoCal from CT/NYC they all just want to ride. My itinerary isn’t the standard. Monday we would ride up the coast to Santa Barbara. Stopping at Neptune’s Net for lunch. Cruising up Mulholland through all the canyons while taking in the amazing scenery. Ending up in SB to catch an Air BNB and do dinner. Rolling back home Tuesday am. Tuesday would be an east side canyon day. Angeles Crest, 9 Mile, Angeles Forrest Highway. Breakfast at Newcombs Ranch and just lazy cruising all afternoon. Coming back down the mountain for some grub somewhere in West Hollywood or BH area. Maybe Catch or Spago for dinner. Wednesday would be a beach day or people watching day. Hanging out on Melrose or Rodeo just taking it all in. No place on earth has people quite like LA. Might as well sip a cocktail and enjoy it. Grab a bite at Craigs and see what TMZ paparazzi is going crazy over! Thursday is prep day. Go to the shop get the bikes ready for the weekend. Bring the team trailer out and start getting everything in line for the weekend. Load up all the spares, race bikes, gear, tools etc and then get on the road. Start heading to the race track. Buttonwillow, Laguna Seca, Willow Springs etc. Friday is a setup day generally at the track. Unload, tech the bikes for safety. Hang out with friends at the track and BBQ, maybe some delicious adult beverages too. Saturday and Sunday are ride/race days. Gear up around 6am and get out on the racetrack. Ride all day and then BBQ and hang at night. Bonfires, projector movies, and mini bike races tend to unfold. Tons of amazing people and a subculture that is second too none. The camaraderie at the racetrack is incredible. Everyone is always welcoming and excited to be there. Never a dull time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dedication is to all the Angeles Crest and Track Day riders that trusted a nobody to work on their bike. Some random guy working out a home garage with no real ties to the area or bike community. Clients trusted me to deliver as promised, quality work that exceeded dealership standards for a fraction of the price. I had a lot of people put a lot of trust in me now and especially in the beginning. I remember having BBQ’s and inviting everyone I could possibly interact with at the track and on the crest to just try and get my name out there. It was a huge uphill battle. My girlfriend proudly standing behind me at events 7 days a week. Walking around handing out flyers just to drive traffic to the garage and get some brand traction. Those first few hundred clients, the LA Ducati Club, Angeles Crest riders and Newcombs Ranch, Moto West GP and Trackdaz for all allowing me to come out and generate hype about this new up and coming shop!

Website: www.MotorsportExotica.com
Instagram: @MotorsportExotica
Facebook: Motorsport Exotica
Yelp: Motorsport Exotica

Image Credits
@CitizenKace @Wafflehouse