Personal History
Every person has their own individual goals and values in life. My own trials and experiences which I have endured have formed me as a person. At the age of 14 during my freshman year in high school, I made a major decision in my life that forced me to grow up a little faster than the "normal teenager". Graduating a year early to pursue my goal in the motocross and supercross industry. While doubled up on classes, I have been able to manage my career in the motocross industry as a skilled rider and trainer as well as maintain an above average gpa, generate sponsorships within my local community and business owners, and demonstrate leadership through volunteer work with organizations such as Project Lift, working with at risk elementary students. These last 3 years have been the most impactful on my attitude toward my passion and the big decision of putting myself into the so called “real world" a little bit sooner than my peers.
Prior to my choice in pursuing a career in such an extreme sport, dirt bikes were just all fun. I was like every 7 year old boy, I just wanted to have a little four wheeler to tool around and be the big shot on the block with an ATV. Little did I know that would lead to me getting on a dirtbike and being able to hang with the teenagers in the neighborhood! I thought I was so cool riding with the big kids. One kid in particular I had very high regard for, and I looked up to him like a brother. His name was Connor LaFrance. At the young age of 14 he noticed untapped talent in me, slowly telling me pointers and little things around the tiny track next to my house. Connor taught me to be a little racer on the trails. He had approached my mom while I was not around and had asked her to allow me to start racing, but she had declined his suggestion. Time and time again he had told her I was a talented kid and he wanted to see me get on a track. She began to consider the idea of me racing as I was bringing it up also. One day we got a phone call from Connor's father. He sounded uneasy; continuing on, he brought us terrible news. Connor had passed away in a tragic accident racing. Little did I know his death would change my family’s life forever. At Connor's funeral his father had me stand up. Being 7, I had to stand on the church bench so I was tall enough to be seen. In front of everyone he explained to me that he would like me to race in Connor's honor and continue with his passion and dream, and I have done so since that moment in my life.
The first two years of my "racing career" as a child were spent on the flat track and competing in TT's. I was pretty determined to make Connor and the community proud of me and felt a great responsibility at a young age to find success. I trained with Danny Walker's American Racing Academy and had the opportunity to train under the direction of Chris Carr for a few years, even earning the Etham Gillem Scholarship one year. I finished in the top three in all season championships.
From there I began my pursuing racing in arena cross, motocross and supercross events. A vast difference from the TT races I had been so successful with in previous years. I remember how hard it was to compete with other kids who had been racing in these competitions since they were on 50cc's. By my second year, there was no stopping me. I went from being content with a top ten finish to being in the top three finishing riders in almost every competition. Since then, I have continued to stay extremely competitive in every class I have raced in. I finished 2nd overall when competing in the 65cc classes, 2nd and 3rd in the 85cc and Senior Mini Classes (2013 and 2014) and 2nd in the Open Mini class for the Metropolitan Sports Committee (MSC) for the 2015 season. This past year I have also had the chance to compete all over the country against some of the best racers there are. I made it through my area qualifiers for Loretta Lynn's with an overall finish of 4th in Super Mini 2 & 5th in Super Mini 1. Unfortunately at Regionals, I ran into several problems. In one race I had mechanical issues that could not be overcome and at another an accident resulting in being run over. I did, however, have the opportunity to race in the LCQ at regionals, finishing 1st, but it just wasn't enough to get to Tennessee. This year is my year! Everything I have worked so hard for has culminated to this point. I am setting the bar pretty high and keeping my head held higher. Team #549 on point!!!
Riding Goals
My goals for 2016 will include starting off my racing season competing in the Amsoil Arenacross series. While I will not be able to complete the whole series due to school obligations the primary focus will be to maintain the competitive status I have thus far achieved, as well as continue to train and prepare for the Area Qualifiers and Regional qualifiers for the Loretta Lynn's Amateur Nationals. I will compete within my local AMA district races as well as at some more well-known racetracks such as Baja Acres, Southwick, Unadilla, Englishtown and Area 51. I would like to expose myself to as many of my competitors as possible to enhance my skills and knowledge. The first GOAL....make it to Loretta's and finish in the top 20!
After competing at Loretta's Nationals my goal is to take up training full time at a facility in the south. I have attended both MTF and JWTF training camps, finding them to be invaluable experiences. I have not chosen the facility I plan on attending full time as of yet since my parents and I will be making some visits to several before making our final decision. Once it is made, they will be leaving me there to train full time through the fall season to prepare for Mini- O's.
The Ultimate Goal, to become a factory backed rider and be able to qualify for PRO NATIONALS and as Connor would say HIWO (Hold It Wide Open) trying to make that happen.
Competitive Highlights
Please see the Events and Results section for the most recent highlights. I'll be back to have this updated as soon as possible.