Singleton’s Ryan Smith has been winning Australian, and New South Wales (NSW), dirt track titles since the ripe old age of seven.
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The diminutive champion started riding a motorbike when he was just four, and over the years has consistently performed on both a dirt and long track.
For the past four years he has been invited to Motorcycling NSW Night of Champions, and has already won our local Junior Sportsperson of the Year award.
Despite his small stature, in 2016 Smith has mastered riding in the 85-150cc big wheel 11-U13 class.
And, the talented rider has been invited to compete at the Troy Bayliss Classic in the New Year at Taree.
This unique one-day event features racers from all aspects of two-wheeled motorcycle competitions, who come together on one of the few oiled flat tracks in the country.
The event now attracts international riders to the home track of the three-time world superbike champion.
Fans are able to get up close to the fast paced action this racing provides, watching 36 stars from several eras of the sport, including world champions and national champions alike.
But before this Smith decided to squeeze in one more competition before Christmas.
The gutsy competitor and his dedicated Dad, Darren, headed to the 2016 Victorian Junior Dirt Track Titles on December 10 &11.
The pair made the ten hour trek to the Bradford State Motorcyle Sports Complex and it was worth it.
He now has a Victorian title; recording a win, along with two places.
Smith says he came first in the 85-150cc standard wheels 11-U13 class, second in the 85-150cc big wheels, and picked up a third in 65cc 9-U13.
Competing in the 85-150cc 11-U13 age group has been quite a step up for the 12-year-old as a lot of the older competitors have a clear height advantage. Smith still stands on blocks to start his races.
“Some of the 13-year-olds are as tall as me,” Darren laughs.
This doesn’t appear to phase the youngster as his next plan is to try some road racing like Casey Stoner.
Born in Kurri Kurri, Stoner was a two-time MotoGP world champion.
And, if you retrace his early years, parallels can be drawn. Stoner competed in his first race at the age of four and won a race at the age of nine.
Between nine and fourteen years of age, he had won 41 dirt and long track titles and 70 state titles.
At the age of twelve, he raced in 5 different category races and won 32 out of 35 races.
But for now Smith will enjoy a well-earned break and would like to thank his sponsors: Port Tune Performance, Pro Moto Suspension, and Chris Watson Motorcycles.