Personal History
Hi, I'm Ethan and this is MY Story...I just turned 17 this summer and my dad is in the Navy, which means we move ALOT. In the past 8 years we've moved from Chesepeake, VA to Alexandria, VA (south of DC) to O'Fallon, IL (east of St Louis) to Meridian, MS and most recently to South Central PA, this past summer. That's been my 5th move (and 6th new school) in the last 8 years. I was born in the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. I got my first bike when I was 7 (a TTR-90), then stepped up to a KTM 65sx the next year, and started racing Hare Scrambles in the Virginia Championship Hare Scramble Series (VCHSS - Sponsored by Monster Energy) in the fall of 2008. I raced the first 2 races of 2009, in the Jr. Mini II (65cc) class and WON the second race of the year (Dillwyn, VA) then broke my elbow in practice a week later and missed the next 2 months of the season. My first ride back after healing was a club (Tidewater Dirt Riders - TDR) weekend at the North Carolina Motorsports Park (NCMP) and I broke my right hand on my 2nd practice lap - I was totally bummed, but 6 weeks later, I was back racing and "knock on wood" have been going strong most of the last 5 years, with a few minor setbacks for broken thumbs.
Last year wa my first year competing in the GNCC, I was able to make the first 5 GNCC and was holding my own in the 125B/C class. I took 1st in class in the first 2 races and have consistently run in the top 3 at most every event we attended. We couldn't make 3 races due to logistics and schedule conflicts (Tomahawk, John Penton, and Snowshoe), at the end of the year, I switched to a 250F and ran the 4 stroke likes class, but still finished 3rd for the season in the 125 B/C. Also in 2015 I got the chance to do the 14th Annual Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club 24 Hour Challenge for my First time. Something I've wanted to do for the last 8 years. We put together a Junior team (13-16 years old) that ran the 250 class and took 3rd overall in class on a 200, which was Awesome for All our 1st times. This year we did it again and won the 250 Sportsman class and finished 8th Overall. Next year we will have to move to "Expert" class...awesome!
So far this year, I've been riding in the top 3 in the GNCC 4 stroke C Lites class, and look forward to finishing 2016 season strong.
After moving to PA, I look fwd to racing and riding in some new areas and should make it easier to get to the GNCCs.
Riding Goals
As I mentioned we moved to South Central PA last August, so we're looking for a new local Series. The last 3 years, we raced the South East Cross Country Association (SECCA) which races mainly in Central Alabama, and has GREAT racing! This has been my first full year racing in the GNCC series, and even missing 3 races, I'm still sitting in 2nd...so, pretty happy with my progress this seaaon, and racing all new locations to me...SO, there has been a stee "learning curve" in getting use to the new courses and competition. So far I've had a Blast as the courses are fun and I've been riding real well.
My goal is to Do My Best each race and hopefully start working in some time on the 250F, as I hope to advance next season. I got to race in the Perry Mountain 24 Hr Challenge and pitted the Southern Stars/Max Motorsports team that took 1st Overall in the Innaugral NorthEast 24 Hr Challenge, in NY. I have ALWAYS wanted to race at Perry Mountain and the 24 Hour was the toughest race I've ever done, but also my most rewarding race experience, especially as a team of 6 "Minors". I always enjoy a challenge and doing the unexpected. I figure "the Bigger they are, the Harder they fall"....Good Luck to ALL. - Game on!
Competitive Highlights
Started 2016 GNCC @ Wild Boar with a win, the 2nd at GA. So far my highlight for 2016, was our team's win at the 15th Annual Perry Mountain 24 Hr Challenge in the 250 Sportsman class.
In 2015, I won my first two GNCC's the Wild Boar and the General in the 125 B/C class my first time racing the 10 am race. At the General I finished 14th overall during the 10am race.
In 2012 I won the first race of the season in the SECCA Series ....The Chickenhouse Race and won a CHICKEN! That was CRAZY. I also won the r St of the races that season 2012-13 and took home the Youth Championship.
I won my last race in Illinois in March 2012 at Belleville Enduro Track (BET), it was a MUDFEST and I won my class and the overall from the 2nd line. That was a BLAST.
Winning the last race of the season, 2 years ago on my 65, was awesome! I had been leading for most of the race, when my chain popped off about 3/4 of the way thru the race. Someone helped me get it back on and I was able to catch and pass everyone - My Dad said I was "in the Zone", all I knew was I wasn't ever going to quit!
My FIRST win ever was at Dillwyn, VA (Spring 2008) was awesome too, cause I was about 6th off the start and just kept picking off spots every lap and made the final pass for first on the last turn of the last lap! That still is my Favorite win. NEVER QUIT, that just how I roll...Peace...