COUNTLESS bruises and a fractured wrist have done little to quash motocross whiz Caleb Grothues’ love of the racetrack or his dream of becoming a world champion.
Bound for NSW this month, the Iluka 10-year-old, who has spent three years racing and has a national title in the 50cc division under his belt, will vie for top spot at the 2010 Honda Australian junior motocross championships.
Caleb is set to compete in the nine to under 11 years 65cc division at Lake Macquarie Motorcycle Club, with the one-week event to start on September 25.
“I’m really excited and really happy,” he said. “I reckon it will be tough but I think I’m going to do pretty well.
“I’m training to get my fitness up and running – I have never ridden at this track before so don’t really know what to expect.”
He said his dad Mark, a former motocross competitor, had taught him to “ride smart”.
“I just love doing it, and also when you get a good result from your riding and the congratulations,” he said.
“I really want to keep going, and am hoping to become champion and race in America, Europe and all over the world, but I will have to qualify and get really, really quick.”
Mum Kylie said that with riding in his blood, it was no surprise when Caleb and her other two children had taken to the sport.
“It is daunting because it’s a pretty scary sport, but it is what he wants to do and we are so proud of him,” she said.
“As soon as Caleb gets home from school, the first thing he does is call up his dad to see if he can go riding. His dedication has just blown us away.”
Mark said since teaching his son to ride, it had been more of a struggle to persuade Caleb to get off the bike.
He said the upcoming national competition was the “pinnacle” for WA motocross, with the most talented riders racing.
“I think he is really excited for this one and he has had a really good year,” he said.