15
We're super excited to see the influx of young talent coming to the track! The plan is slowly unfolding as we hoped - get young riders the opportunity to try out the track on smaller bikes (which was a major goal with our events at Canaan) and then transition them on to full size bikes when they are ready. We love the energy and enthusiasm these kids and their families bring to the track. The future of our sport is looking brighter every day. I thought it would be fun just to talk about a few of the new under 18 faces that have either come in the last couple seasons or are on the way!
Teagg Hobbs (16)- started in 2017 with LRRS. Already a CCS national expert champion and Moto America top 7 finisher
Ben Gloddy (14) - started in 2018 with LRRS. Won LRRS ROY, current LRRS championship leader with LRRS and Moto America top 5 finisher
Lukas Doucette (16?) - started in 2018 with LRRS, Son of the King Rick Doucette and steadily gaining speed- -down do the 1:25 range on an R3
Eli Block (16) - started in 2018 with LRRS. LRRS championship leader in 2019, current 500 Supersport NHMS record holder (19.2) and planned 2020 Moto America rider
Brianna McHugh (13) - started in 2019 with LRRS. Aiming to be the 2nd youth rider in 2 seasons to advance from Novice to Expert in one season, already down to steady 1:24's on a Ninja 300.
Renee Franco (15) - started in 2019 with LRRS. Has raced two events, and just broke through a barrier this past Monday and dropped 4 seconds per lap! Has set a goal of winning her Novice races at LRRS in October.
Jacob Crossman (14) - participated in his first race with Penguin (NESBC at Loudon this past Monday) and is looking forward to starting with LRRS in 2020
Trafton Taylor (12) - standout at the kids days at Canaan on his CRF150, faster than a majority of adults on full size sport bikes. Has purchased his 300 and is looking forward to trying to race in 2020
....and there are more where these guys came from. I'm sure I've missed a few that are already here. We're working to make it easier for families and kids to experience our great sport in a fashion that is both safe and fun. If there are any more kids that you think might have interest in asphalt racing (perhaps not on the "big"track at NHMS, but just in general) let's get the conversation started here. Perhaps some 8-12 year olds that have a TTR90, XR100 or similar that cold be set up with street tires (a la NJ Mini GP)? There are some cool things boiling under the surface and I'd love to have some gas to throw on that fire to help them come to life sooner than later!