My parents got me and my brother a JR50 when I was 3-years-old in 2001. Dad gave me a few lessons, but I did not get serious until 2005. After I bent the frame of the JR50 because I was riding it so hard, they got me a RM65 and I began practicing on a regular basis. My very first race was in the BooKoo Arenacross when it came to Charlotte, NC in January 2006 where I came in 5th overall on the 65. After that, I was hooked and have not stopped since. I then started racing in the Parts Unlimited Ultra Series and in District 29. After my first outdoor race at Camp Coker on the RM65, my parents bought me a KTM 50 Pro Senior and I started racing in the 50cc 7-8 class.
My first year of dedicated racing (2006) brought me the third place trophies for the AMA Parts Unlimited Ultra Series in the highly competitive 50 cc 7-8 class and in the 65 cc D class. I decided to try to make a run at Loretta's in 2007 on the 50.
I was able to qualify for two regionals and transferred to the mains from both divisional races, however I had some tough racing luck and was unable to make it to Loretta's in 2007. It was a learning experience. I also remained dedicated to the Ultra Series that I had run in 2006--I only missed two races due to qualifiers! At the end of the 07 season, I was awarded the second place trophy for the 50 cc 7-8 class and the fifth place trophy in the 65 cc 7-9 class.
I have been fortunate in that I was able to race at the Mini O's at Gatorback in Florida this year. It was my first big national race. I raced in three classes: the 50 cc 7-8 class, the 65 cc 7-9 stock class, and the 65 cc 7-9 mod class. I made it to the main race on the 50 cc on the supercross track. Otherwise, I placed extremely well, especially since it was my first national race and changed brands on the 65 from a Suzuki to KTM considering the first time I rode the mod bike was in practice on the supercross track at Gatorback. It was a great experience and found out that I am able to race with some of the best racers out there on a national level.
So far in my first two years of competition I’ve competed in more than 50 races with two classes at each race not counting the area qualifiers and regionals. My first year I was a top 10 racer and last year I was a top 5 racer. Hopefully, I continue improve my finishes to a top 3 rider in the Ultra Series placing me higher than 5th overall at the end of the season.
Goals for the future
I’m totally dedicated to qualify at one of the Regionals and make it to Loretta Lynn's in 2008 and hopefully compete at a couple other national races this year.