HAVELOCK — Gauge McElvain was destined to be a motocross star from the start.

At an early age, McElvain had a goal to make it professionally.

At the young age of 9, the Havelock native is already one of the brightest stars among the top amateur riders in the country.

McElvain, a student at Arthur Edwards Elementary School, started to enjoy motocross at the age of two. He was given his KTM 65 bike when he was seven.

Now, he is tearing up the track. McElvain is ranked first in his age group in North Carolina and has been ranked as high as third in the nation.

“I wanted to start riding dirt bikes since I was about one or two, once I saw all the pros on TV,” said McElvain, the son of Courtney and Alura McElvain. “My dad was like ‘let’s get him a four-wheeler’ and my mom was like, ‘no, he wants to ride dirt bikes.’”

McElvain is the reigning state champ for the 60cc class in motocross racing. Last year, he was also the state champ for the beginner division for the 60cc class.

McElvain’s mother, Alura, was instrumental in getting him started in motocross. His father, Courtney, trains him on their five-acre track.

“That was the most important part about it because I don’t think anyone could train me as good,” McElvain said.

McElvain has traveled as far as Oklahoma to compete and has won about 30 races. From Aug. 1 to Aug. 6, he raced in the Loretta Lynn Nationals in Hu