Personal History
My name is Brian Austin Palumbo everyone calls me Austin. I am eighteen years old and my life revolves around riding and racing. I have had a bike since I was seven years old, but I didn't get involved in racing untill two years ago. I first tried out motocross and raced a few races, then I tried my first off road race at Roush Creek, PA and I was hooked. It was so brutal. The next year I raced part of the PA State Harescamble Series. I had a slow start to the year and only had mediocre results in the top twenty. Then at the end of the season I bought a KTM two stroke and started racing it instead of my Honda CRF250 four stroke and things started to change. My only complaint with the Honda was that it didn't start very well and I was a beginner so I stalled a lot, not a good mix. My first race with my 2007 KTM 250xc-w I holeshotted my c class line and finished eighth. That winter I road as much as I could (three-four times a week in the harsh PA winter) and by this season I was much improved. I decided that I would race the AWRCS series in Pennsylvania and a few of the nearby GNCC's. My first two races I didn't do so well because I had brake issue then my third race at Redbank I rode good and finished third. That is when I realized that I could win. After that race I started riding everyday and working out to get in shape. I also have attended three riding schools (two dirt wise with Shane Watts and one Gary Semics Motocross school). Since then I did really well for only my second year racing. I finished the season with second place in the AWRCS series in the XC1C class. In 2011 I made a huge jump to A class because I feel the only way to get better is to ride with the best! I had a roller coaster year and fought through many technical failures and a extreme case of nervous. Things are starting to get better as the season goes on. With the end in sight I feel like I accomplished alot for jumping up two classes. I am now a competive A class rider with many years to hone in my skills. If it wasn't for the support Oneal, Amsoil, TwinAir, Cycra, Sunline, Vortex, Motopro Graphics, and Pit Posse gave me I don't think I would have made it to where I am now. With the new year right around the corner I am doing everything I can to become a better racer. I work hard and don't give in when things aren't going my way. I also get along with all the people at the tracks and make friend every where I race. I am not one to brag, I feel my actions do more than my words so once the race starts I am there to race.
Riding Goals
Next year I am going to have to race more localy because I am currently attending Wyotech in Blairsville, Pa and won't be able to travel to Flordia or any southern races. I still plan to race the AWRCS series in PA and OH, I will be running the gncc rounds in PA, OH, and WV. I also plan to try my hand in motocross because I feel I can learn alot from the rythme you have to keep during a moto and it doesn't hurt there is a motocross track ten minutes from my new appartment. I will be running 250A and xc-1a once again and I hope to start moving up the ladder to become a top local guy. I will work hard and stay focused even while in school. I can't wait for 2012!
Competitive Highlights
My highlights have all taken place the past two year. I won two races in the AWRCS series. The first one was at Crows Canyon in Ohio, and the other one was in Templeton, Pennsylvania. At Crows Canyon there where twenty-two bikes and at Templeton there were sixteen. What makes these races highlights is that I beat Joseph Geyer Jr who is currently first in the nation in the GNCC series. He races the open C junior 22+. At this time he is also first in the AWRCS series. I am finished the season second in the series only behind by 5 points. My other Highlight this year was my third place finish at round 12 of the GNCC series at ITP Power Line Park St. Clairsville, OH. I had a great race working my way up from eighth place to second at one time. On my last lap I screwed up on my line choice up a hill climb and let the second place rider by so I finished the race third. I raced the 250c class and over all I finished 98 out of 402 riders in the am class. This years highlights so far have been my A class debue down in Flordia with a solid 14 and my highest placing in the gncc at Patton, Pa with a 10th. After that my most impressive finishes have came in the AWRCS series with a 15th and a 20th overall. I plan to have many more highlights to come. This isn't anything yet!!