Personal History
- Began racing on a 1999 yz125
- Next season was on a 2006 RM450f
- Currently riding a 2001 RM250
Hi, my name is Justin Wilson Shipley, I'm 19 years old, a student at Kennesaw State University. Motocross has been my passion and my dream ever since I was 8 years old and got to see Ricky Carmichael dominate at the GA Dome for the supercross race that year. I unfortunately grew up playing the wrong sports (baseball, basketball, and football), but when I reached the age to be able to support myself in racing, I began chasing my dream. My parents had bought me an XR80, a CR85, but I purchased my 1st bike to race on at 17 years old- a yz125. I competed in my 1st 2 races (the last 2 races of the season at Durhamtown, GA) and placed a respectable 5th both times. Then I sold my yz125, bought an RM450f, and entered a race on it 2 days later. Yes this sounds ridiculous I know, but with only 1 day of practice, I was able to finish 2nd place for both of my heats. Unfortunately a couple weeks later at a practice session I suffered a series of bad crashes in 1 day and ended up with a C6 fracture in my neck, cracked ribs, a concussion, sprained back, and stitches. How was this possible? Well after having a "normal" wreck on the whoops and getting back up, my bike went into neutral on the takeoff of a jump and I front flipped. I hit head 1st and this is when I sustained the C6 fracture, concussion, and sprains. I was so determined to continue preparing for my race in 7 days that I went back out on the track (not knowing how badly I was actually injured) and lost it in a turn at a pretty high speed. I had no chance of saving it because I could already barely walk, so when my back end slid out in the turn, I literally just got rag-dolled into the dirt head 1st. This completed my injury list and I was knocked out briefly for the 2nd time that day...
I know this may make me sound foolish, but this really is just a true testimony to my hard work and dedication to achieve excellence. I don't believe in doing something halfway. I want to be the best at everything I do, and motocross is at the top of my list. I came back from my injury and ended up moving off to college. Now I'm in my 2nd semester and have a schedule worked out that I am able to ride every single Saturday and Sunday. I am in the gym Monday-Friday pushing myself to new limits daily. You can't deny a hard worker.
I'm now riding a 2001 Rm250 and just looking for the support I need to enable me to take that next step and unlock my full potential as a new rider. I will do whatever it takes to accomplish my goals. I will represent your company to the best of my ability, if I am chosen to do so. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and may GOD bless you,
-Justin Shipley
Riding Goals
To win the 2014 Mx series at ScrubnDirt/Durhamtown and to receive my 1st couple of sponsors, so I can begin branching out to other tracks and become successful in my region.
Competitive Highlights
- Two 5th place race finishes at Durhamtown on my 1st two races on a 1999 Yz125
- Two 2nd place heat finishes at ScrubnDirt on a 2006 Rm450f (on 1 day of practice)