Personal History
I grew up in Northern California riding BMX bikes and playing basketball as my competitive release. I remember riding my bicycle to the 'local' Kawasaki dealership, 10-miles away in the next town over, just to sit on the dirt bikes. My dream was to have a KX80 big wheel! My parents were not on board and my dream bike stayed just that.
Upon graduating high school and thus the end of my basketball career, I went to college at California State University, Chico. I majored in Manufacturing Technology, a natural transition for me having worked with my hands on classic cars with my brother and dad from the time I could walk. After graduation I moved to Southern California for my first 'real' job! Things were starting to happen. I got married to my college girlfriend, bought our first house, and I was finally able to buy a dirt bike!
Riding Goals
Growing up in California I have always been surrounded by motorsports, but I didn't have the means to enjoy them on my own until I bought my first KTM in 2006, a 450 XC. At that time I was working for a trailer manufacturer and had the privilege to use their trailers and explore the deserts and mountains of the west coast. Life took its course and I ended up divorcing and selling by beloved KTM. I would be yet again bikeless, until 2013.
I begun working at Eibach Springs in 2013 and this gave me the opportunity to get the suspension dialed on my KTM for the first time ever. Man, what a difference. I thought I enjoyed riding before, but this was game changing. I am a larger rider, 6'5" tall, and I had gained a new respect for these machines once I setup the suspension and bike for my height and weight. I found myself riding more and more, and in progressively more difficult terrain.
I began racing in 2015 at the age of 35, a late bloomer for sure, at the encouraging of a few friends who raced the AMA D37 Big 6 Grand Prix Series. The second race of the year at the Glen Helen Big 6 Grand Prix, I had broken my leg pretty badly. Soon thereafter I met my wife, my race support team, and mother of our son. She helped nurse me back to health and encouraged me to get back on my bike and keep riding. I was back racing in January of 2016. Each year since, I have progressively added more and more races to my schedule as the need for competition grew within me.
Starting late in 2017 I decided that I would race as much as possible in the AMA D37 Big 6 Grand Prix Series and AMA D37 Desert race series. As a member of the Hilltoppers MC, I have the opportunity to be surrounded by peers who enjoy and promote the future of the dirt bike lifestyle.
I use riding and racing as my escape from the daily routine of life. It is the best way to clear my head and refresh that I have found.
Competitive Highlights
U.S. Desert Racing (www.usdesertracing.com):
2015 Red Mountain, Wagon Wheel West – 2nd Place Vet HWT Beg. (1st ever race!)
Big 6 Grand Prix Series, AMA District 37 (www.big6racing.com):
2015 Glen Helen Grand Prix – DNF (injury during this race caused withdrawal of 2015 season)
2016 Adelanto, CA Grand Prix –24th Vet HWT Novice (1st race back after broken leg)
2016 Primm, NV Grand Prix – 10th Vet HWT Novice
2017 Taft, CA Grand Prix – 7th Vet HWT Novice
2017 Taft, CA Grand Prix – 16th West Coast GP Vet Novice
2017 Glen Helen, CA Grand Prix - 11th HWT Novice
2017 Spangler Hills, CA Dual Euro - 6th Vet HWT Novice
2018 Spangler Hills, CA Desert Scrambles - 8th Vet HWT Novice