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Young Tomberlin tears up motocross
WHEN THE question is: What sport would be good to keep my 6-year-old occupied? The answer usually isn`t: Give him a motorcycle.
Yet that`s just what Len Tomberlin did, and it seems to be working out splendidly. And Gavin Tomberlin isn`t just speeding around vacant lots and tearing up flower beds, either. He`s one of the top amateur motocross riders in the nation in his age bracket, having recently qualified for the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., July 31-Aug. 8.
Although he`s only 6, the Half Moon Bay youngster has been riding for two years.
"It was just meant to be, I think," his dad, Len, said. "He would ride with me in the basket on my motorcycle when he was very little, and just loved it. We finally gave him his own bike, and he just took off."
Gavin, a kindergartner at Hatch Elementary, also enjoys wake boarding, baseball and soccer. But that`s off the record. When asked what he likes to do, the only thing he will admit to is motocross.
"It`s a lot of fun; the best thing in the world," said Gavin. "I love the competition." What`s the worst thing about motocross?
"Getting stuck in ruts."
Gavin qualified for the AMA Nationals (called the Loretta Lynns by circuit regulars, because the finals are held at the Loretta Lynn Ranch) by finishing in the top 14 in his area qualifier, and then coming in fifth at the Southwest Regional competition at the Glen Helen track in San Bernardino last weekend. By qualifying for nationals, Gavin is one of the 42 best riders in the world in his age group — and one of the 14 best in the Western U.S.
Gavin almost won the Northwest Regional at Honey Lake in Milford but was involved in a crash and ended up finishing in 14th place.
"He got tangled up with a lapper (a driver who has been lapped by other racers)," said Len, "and went down. Other parents ran in to pick up their kids and take them off the track, but they didn`t re-start Gavin`s bike. So Gavin picked it up and managed to start it himself, and finish the race."
That`s the thing that motocross onlookers will tell you about Gavin Tomberlin`s racing style. He`s usually not the most skilled rider on the track, but he`s always the most persistent.
"He`s very competitive," said his dad. "He just never, ever gives up."
Gavin rides a 50cc Cobra — kind of the Mini-Cooper of motorcycles that was designed just for motocross
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racing. His sister, Morgan, 9, also races (she rides a 65cc), and was the CMC TransCal 50 Beginners champ this season.
Traveling the motocross circuit can be very expensive and time consuming. The Tomberlins have already traveled to competitions in Reno, Las Vegas and Arizona this year, and are currently trying to figure out how they are going to get Gavin and his bike to Tennessee for the nationals.
"A lot of families get a big motor home and a trailer, and travel to each stop," said Len, a plumber who is a fifth-generation resident of Half Moon Bay. "But we can`t afford that. I got a camper shell for my pickup and put a foam mattress in there, and that`s where we sleep."
The family has been looking into renting a larger truck for the trip, but aren`t sure they can afford that. One thing is for certain: They`ll get Gavin there somehow.
"This is his life right now," Len said. "I think most of the appeal is just the freedom of it. Once the helmet`s on, mom and dad can`t tell you what to do. You start up and away you go."
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