Cobra Moto announces its new National Development Team

Memphis-based Lakehill Trackside Racing steps in to run Cobra Moto’s new National Development Team, prepping kids to be next year’s Cobra factory racers

HILLSDALE, Mich., (July 23, 2014) – When you’re working to pick the best kids on dirt bikes you have to remember the late bloomers. Guys like Jeremy McGrath and John Dowd, for instance, didn’t take motocross seriously until their teens. And for Cobra Moto, which starts working with kids as young as four, there’s been a lot of talented kids racing the American-made minicycles over the years that have, for one reason or another, gone unnoticed.

With that in mind Lakehill Trackside Racing’s Doug Cochran approached Cobra Moto President Sean Hilbert this past January with a plan – a plan geared towards developing a number of the not-quite-there-yet young racers into possible talent for Cobra’s prestigious National team.

Dubbed the Cobra Moto National Development Team, Cochran’s Lakehill Trackside Racing program has recruited the seven best up-and-coming minicycles racers in the nation and given them support at the national level at races such as Mill Creek (Ala.), Oak Hill (Texas) and Freestone (Texas).

“We often bypass kids who, at the time, weren’t ready for national competition,” said Cochran. “So we basically came up with the Cobra Moto National Development Team along the lines of a minor league baseball program.”

Working with engine and suspension specialist Josh Rogers, who owns the Houston-based EBR Performance, Cochran and his wife, Amy, have dedicated their time and much of their business resources this year to Cobra Moto’s National Development Team. Utilizing Cobra Moto’s dealer support network, Cochran was able to sign seven kids (below) – all of whom have qualified for the 2014 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Edgar Lewis    Virden, IL  65cc 7-9

Chris Sweeney  Jackson, NJ  65cc 7-9

Collin Allen    Haslet, TX  50cc 7-8

Brock Walker  Cleburne, TX  50cc 7-8

Cole Kish  Newport, MI  50cc 7-8

Kyler Rhom  Charlotte, NC  50cc 4-6 

Hayden Cline   Converse, TX  50cc 4-6

Cochran brings with him a wealth of experience at Loretta’s. His son, Casey, is a Cobra Moto National Team racer and the defending champion in the 4-6 50cc class. Casey will be on one of the 29 Cobras in the 7-8 class (of 42 bikes total) at Loretta’s, nine of which have Lakehill Trackside Racing support!

“I can’t begin to explain what a positive impact Doug and his team at Lakehill Trackside Racing have had on the Cobra Moto program this year,” said Hilbert. “Much like Cobra Moto’s mantra, the Cochrans have dedicated their business to support the Cobra Moto family, assisting kids who will no doubt be the front-runners for the Cobra Moto National Team positions in the coming years.”

Up next for Cobra: 2014 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., July 27-Augs. 2.

Cobra Moto, founded in 1993, produces the most successful line of competition mini cycles in the United States with more than 300 national titles in the last decade. Based out of Hillsdale, Mich., Cobra Moto's mission is to build premium products for the serious racer. For more information on Cobra products, please visit our website at www.cobramotorcycle.com and like us on Cobra Nation on Facebook.