Personal History
I had always loved getting dirty and power sports from a young age. From playing in mud, to monster trucks, to motocross. I was nonstop watching highlights from Chad Reed #22, James Stewart #7, Travis Pastrana #199, And Seth Enslow’s dare-devil feats. At 7 years old my parents got my brother and I a 2003 Yamaha Pw80, between my brother and I, we rode the wheels off the little bike. Without the money to maintain the bike, many things broke and it became too expensive to fix. It got taken to the shed to live under a tarp from that point on.
At age 11, my best friend, Carter, dad bought him a 1997 Yamaha RT100. He shared the bike with me and let me ride it as if it was mine. Looking back, writing this for future potential sponsors, I can confidently say that I do not think I would be where I am today without that 1997 RT100. After getting comfortable with a Dirtbike with a clutch, I decided… It’s time to buy a dirt bike of my own.
Little did I know, that decision would start a new chapter in my life. It started with mowing lawns after I had $150 saved up, Covid-19 started to come around, and schooling went online. As other kids my age sat inside and played video games all day, Carter and I took advantage of this free time. We started cutting, splitting firewood, and selling it. Along with any other miscellaneous jobs, we could find. We split the money 50/50.
After 2 months of saving money and scouring Facebook marketplace for deals. Going against what people told me, I bought a 2-stroke 125 at 12 years old, with my own hard-earned money. What I didn't know at the time was that a good-condition 2-stroke 125 for $1000 was nearly impossible to find. I bought a 1995 Honda Cr125, I rode it for less than 10 hours… the motor blew up, Top and Bottom end. Looking back as I write this response, I am glad the motor blew up. I would not know what I know now to the extent that I do. After watching countless Cameron Niemela 2-stroke rebuild videos, I told myself, “Well, they all look and work the same, it can't be too hard.” So I pulled the trigger and rebuilt my Cr125 motor. Paying every dime that went into the motor and the bike itself. As the motor came back together, to going back in the bike, to the first start, I gained confidence along the way.
Fast forward 2 years of working in diesel shops and farms, plowing snow, fixing dirtbikes and quads for family friends, and buying and selling dirt bikes and quads. I decided I wanted to race hare scrambles. I had $2900 saved up, I found an alright deal on a 1997 Rm125 for $1800 about 2 and a half hours away. My dad and I went to go buy it from a private seller, and that was the start of my racing career. On December 24th, 2021 the Motor blew up, and that was the start of the build on the bike to prepare for the race season. After my 2022 Rookie season, I attended 7 races, with 2 DNFs. Placing 18th out of 74 in D14+.
Riding Goals
I have always been the person to take small steps. As I progress through all of these small steps I look back and realize how far I have become. I make small goals that add up to the goals that people say are not accomplishable. For example, my first race, Olivers & Hills and Holler, my ONLY goal was to finish. As I finished my second lap and I saw the checkered flag, I asked the flag lady, “Did I finish on time to place?”. I finished in last place, and I was more than happy. After that race, my next goal was to finish every race I started as long as the motor ran, and the bike moved.
My plans for the 2024 season are to buy a new 250 4-stroke and to race C Lites. My goal for C Lites is to podium overall and to finish the season in the top 5 for my class. I want to continue to build good relationships with friends, sponsors, and the XC industry. I plan on racing throughout my high school career and potentially further past my high school career. Dependent on racing opportunities presented to me.
Competitive Highlights
After my rookie 2022 season, I had one main goal. That goal was to finish the 2023 season in the top 5 in my class. By the 3rd race of the season, I was in 1st place for points. At this point, I was aware that I was capable of winning the championship. I have been at the lowest of the lows of racing and the highest of the highs of racing. From my body crashing during extreme mudders to podium-finishing races. My best ride of the year, Redneck Run, I had placed second. I was 1 minute and 6 seconds away from first place. Meanwhile, my bike was not running right due to a clogged air filter. This caused me to have to pit two extra times and take the 1.5-minute pro hill go-around. I should have won that race. Instead of crying about it, I only let it boost and motivate me. After point drops, I finished off the 2023 season in second place. My goal was to only be in the top five seeing how I am more than capable of meeting my goals, I will use this as my motivation for the 2024 season.