CONSISTENTLY performing at a national level has become second nature to champion motorbike rider, Ryan Smith.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Over the weekend he did it again and placed third at the 2014 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships at Cowra.
An impressive achievement considering it was the first time Ryan had raced in the 80cc class.
“He had to wait for this year to ride the bigger bike at a competitive level as you must be nine years of age to step up to this class,” his Mum, Vicky said.
“The bike is quite a lot bigger so he has to use blocks to get on it. It was just an amazing ride, especially after his bad start in the final.”
However, it did not take him long to make up the ground he had lost and on the first turn he passed a number of his competitors to put himself in third place.
From here it was a tight tussle between Ryan and the eventual second placed rider.
“It was so close, the commentators were getting very excited and just about forgot about the poor rider who was coming first,” she said.
Although it was a race she nearly missed as the high speeds reached on the bigger bike causes her some anxious moments.
Ryan’s Dad, Darren , said during the race the riders were reaching speeds of up to 75km an hour which is something that doesn’t appear to worry Ryan.
“I just really wanted to win,” he said.
“It’s fun for me, I don’t get scared at all.”
Ryan has been riding motorbikes since he was four years of age after following his older sister, Bridget, into the sport.
She no longer races but this little champion has flourished.
“I can beat her now,” he laughed.
Ryan’s next challenge is the state titles next month in Tamworth which will be another full-on weekend.
At Cowra he raced in both the 50cc and 80cc divisions, made both finals and competed in a total of eight races.