What age to begin grooming a future pro?

Roczoff
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Roczoff
Edited Date/Time 9/10/2022 11:49am
Clearly, for a long time, the plan for moto Dads has been to start their kiddo off on 2 wheels as soon as they're able to ride. It's definitely the way to create a fast youngster and to get the attention of the factories.

But is it the best way? We've heard of fast guys who started late; Justin Cooper and Peick come to mind (correct me if wrong, and mention others)

I wonder if years of concussions limit these guys when they get to 17+. Some guys just seem unable to focus long enough for consistent results (Stew, Baby Jesus, maybe Sexton)

Your brain is still a sponge at 10-13. Why not start there? I feel like they could also better understand the coaching they're getting at that age. And they don't already have 8 years of injuries and overbearing Dads at that point.

Now, please tell me that the status quo is always best,,,
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DrinkMoreWater 9/7/2022 8:16pm
9/7/2022 8:16pm
My father bought me a dirt bike at the age of 4 with no intentions of racing just a toy to play with, I feel like those first years on the bike helped me develop not only riding skills and feel of riding a machine but mechanical skills I guess it's kinda "fast tracked", I would never take those years back and if i have a son in the future and he likes bikes I'd do the same.

Now for racing and the goal being the number 1 kid that's up to the parents to read the kid if he's enjoying himself or if he wants to continue down the path, like with anything if things are forced it normally backfires eventually.
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tmx860
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tmx860 9/7/2022 8:37pm
9/7/2022 8:37pm
John Dowd and Joel Smets started late
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jmurphy243 9/7/2022 9:14pm
9/7/2022 9:14pm
Start them as young as possible and have no expectations, just fun, until they are at least 12.
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lumpy790
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lumpy790 9/8/2022 5:35am
9/8/2022 5:35am
How many of todays top pros raced a PW50 or 65 at Lorettas?

Do well and get factory sponsorship.
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Motofinne
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Motofinne 9/8/2022 6:04am
9/8/2022 6:04am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2022 6:19am
I see so many families spend way, way, waaaay to much money early on and run out of it when they actually would need it the most. It doesn't really matter what the kid does on a 65 or 85 (supermini in America).

Focus should be on fun and riding as much as possible and a diverse training method (forget living on a facility, i can't think of a more restrictive way of developing skills than that) at least until they step up to a 125 (14-16 years of age). Then if the kid has the talent, the work ethic etc go for it.

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Press516
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Press516 9/8/2022 6:04am
9/8/2022 6:04am
I don't think that a specific age is that important... But there is no doubt in my mind that riding by around 6 is an advantage. I got a Honda QA50 at 5 and was racing a YZ80 by 8. Speed wasn't really an issue, I had some natural talent. But I wasn't wired correctly in my brain to be a top pro... Never came to grips with the physical conditioning required. Turned pro at 15 and picked up a Honda support ride. The path was there, I was not... My dad was not a typical moto dad, there was no pressure and very little guidance. They just wanted me to have fun. I wish they would have pushed me a little harder...

So, riding by 6 and racing by 8 or 9 is the minimum in my opinion. But those that start early and have the drive should be easy enough to see... Like this young lad.


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quadzrulebro 9/8/2022 6:20am
9/8/2022 6:20am
Roczoff wrote:
Clearly, for a long time, the plan for moto Dads has been to start their kiddo off on 2 wheels as soon as they're able to...
Clearly, for a long time, the plan for moto Dads has been to start their kiddo off on 2 wheels as soon as they're able to ride. It's definitely the way to create a fast youngster and to get the attention of the factories.

But is it the best way? We've heard of fast guys who started late; Justin Cooper and Peick come to mind (correct me if wrong, and mention others)

I wonder if years of concussions limit these guys when they get to 17+. Some guys just seem unable to focus long enough for consistent results (Stew, Baby Jesus, maybe Sexton)

Your brain is still a sponge at 10-13. Why not start there? I feel like they could also better understand the coaching they're getting at that age. And they don't already have 8 years of injuries and overbearing Dads at that point.

Now, please tell me that the status quo is always best,,,
I was at Perris Raceway watching Peick racing PW50s back in the early 90s, so I’m not sure what makes you think he got a late start on racing.
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GG121
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GG121 9/8/2022 6:51am
9/8/2022 6:51am
quadzrulebro wrote:
I was at Perris Raceway watching Peick racing PW50s back in the early 90s, so I’m not sure what makes you think he got a late...
I was at Perris Raceway watching Peick racing PW50s back in the early 90s, so I’m not sure what makes you think he got a late start on racing.
I was racing Arenacross with Justin Cooper on 50s. When people say a pro rider "got a late start" I think that just means they weren't winning lorettas until big bikes.
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Blackie59
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Blackie59 9/8/2022 6:56am
9/8/2022 6:56am
Be careful using grooming in your title of your post. My kids are in Boy Scouts and grooming is a catch phrase to warn kids about child molesters. I understand the use here though. Carry on.
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SGoodman
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SGoodman 9/8/2022 7:13am
9/8/2022 7:13am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2022 7:15am
this thread title makes me wanna puke...

why?

How many pro mx riders are really, truly retired? Can anybody name one? Stew? MC? Hannah? Certainly not RC or The Man.... I say this because where's the pay off? You risk your kids life and future well being for cash (no different than the UFC, pro football, or even prostitution)... so where's all the cash? (if you don't know the answer, only a small handful at MXSports or Feld keep virtually ALL the money)....

Oh yes.. Feld and MXSports have one hell of a feeder system (read- groomers)... promises of fame and vast wealth to get these old men to turn their kids into pro motocross racers.... yet... I never see a retired mx'er out ball'n in the latest Rolls Royce... and.. i'd bet Jason Anderson/Dumb Dumb/AC9/etc could walk around any mall in the world and not be recognized...

so where's the upside of feeding your kid to the lions for the lions to keep the bulk of the cash??
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Falcon
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Falcon 9/8/2022 8:44am
9/8/2022 8:44am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2022 8:45am
Riding at a very young age, (4-5,) racing by the time he's early teens at the latest, and showing a lot of potential by the time he's 14 or so. If the kid is winning the Supermini class locally and is a contender at big races, then you have a diamond in the rough. That kid could go on to become a pro. Obviously, you could get a guy who gets his first motorcycle at age 12 and becomes the next Jeremy McGrath, but I believe that to be extremely rare.

EDIT: Also, and more importantly, the kid has to want it.
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LowBidder 9/8/2022 9:20am
9/8/2022 9:20am
Depends on what you want for your son... or daughter. Probably a Stacyc at 3 years old, a PW at 4 years old, and racing at 5 years old. When the kid is 10 years old, he/she should have been racing for half of their life. Local racing is great to get their feet wet, but if you truly want them to be up front, you will need to chase the fastest of kids, Freestone, Mini O's, Ponca etc.. Of course Lorettas, but there is no qualifying for these other races, which will prepare and boost confidence to qualify for LL's. Teach proper fundamentals early, motocross schools etc.. If a kid gets started racing at 10 years old, the kid is 5 years too late. It will be expensive, you will need several cobra's, several clutches, top ends, etc.. If you have a Nightingale / J Smart type rider, maybe you wont have to buy bikes after 9 or 10 years old (this is for national level racing, as you stated future pro)

Or just get a used bike and play around locally if not serious.

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Mavetism
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Mavetism 9/8/2022 9:29am
9/8/2022 9:29am
Didn't Justin Cooper start really late thinking about going pro? I think he also went to a normal school and finished there first.
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LouisianaMotocross 9/8/2022 9:37am
9/8/2022 9:37am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2022 9:38am
My kids will start a training facility at 3 and do home school so he can workout after riding.
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Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 9/8/2022 9:49am
9/8/2022 9:49am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2022 9:51am
Motofinne wrote:
I see so many families spend way, way, waaaay to much money early on and run out of it when they actually would need it the...
I see so many families spend way, way, waaaay to much money early on and run out of it when they actually would need it the most. It doesn't really matter what the kid does on a 65 or 85 (supermini in America).

Focus should be on fun and riding as much as possible and a diverse training method (forget living on a facility, i can't think of a more restrictive way of developing skills than that) at least until they step up to a 125 (14-16 years of age). Then if the kid has the talent, the work ethic etc go for it.

Exactly. That's where we are now - 16 on a 125 and showing some speed/skill, after riding and racing since age 5. But I don't yet see the work ethic needed to really go next level. He's coming off a collarbone plate and is getting back into the gym, so we will see what the next 12 months brings as it's now or never.

I don't push him at all. It has to come from inside. He either will do what it takes or he won't and my riding his @ss ain't gonna change that. Frankly, I'd rather we just ride for fun because the odds are way against him, and the injury risk/rate is so high. He's just 16 and has had a bruised spleen, broken collarbone, cracked ribs, and several concussions. Funny and scary that we consider that "pretty minimal" at this point.
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Tbteam
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Tbteam 9/8/2022 9:53am
9/8/2022 9:53am
Don't groom kids.
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kijen
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kijen 9/8/2022 4:26pm
9/8/2022 4:26pm
I think it starts before they are born, pick a wife with some athletic ability, not to tall, and embraces adrenaline sports sort of joking, sort of lol
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MotofactioN
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MotofactioN 9/8/2022 9:41pm
9/8/2022 9:41pm
LouisianaMotocross wrote:
My kids will start a training facility at 3 and do home school so he can workout after riding.
My kids will start a training facility program at 2 and obviously be homeschooled as well. Gym etiquette can be taught at the age of 3. I shall put headphones on his head and play races and podcasts of pro interviews, specifically Ryno, until he is of the age of 2 and in the training facilities. Good luck battling my son.
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Big Lenny
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Big Lenny 9/8/2022 10:20pm
9/8/2022 10:20pm
Press516 wrote:
I don't think that a specific age is that important... But there is no doubt in my mind that riding by around 6 is an advantage...
I don't think that a specific age is that important... But there is no doubt in my mind that riding by around 6 is an advantage. I got a Honda QA50 at 5 and was racing a YZ80 by 8. Speed wasn't really an issue, I had some natural talent. But I wasn't wired correctly in my brain to be a top pro... Never came to grips with the physical conditioning required. Turned pro at 15 and picked up a Honda support ride. The path was there, I was not... My dad was not a typical moto dad, there was no pressure and very little guidance. They just wanted me to have fun. I wish they would have pushed me a little harder...

So, riding by 6 and racing by 8 or 9 is the minimum in my opinion. But those that start early and have the drive should be easy enough to see... Like this young lad.


Boss...
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UpTiTe 9/9/2022 5:10am
9/9/2022 5:10am
Ryan Hughes didn’t start riding until he was 11.
ElliotB16
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ElliotB16 9/9/2022 5:24am
9/9/2022 5:24am
Make sure your AMA 4 year old is on Instagram too
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NotCore
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NotCore 9/9/2022 5:41am
9/9/2022 5:41am
If you are pushing, you are doing it wrong. if your kid is pulling, and you are supporting, you are doing it right.

No matter the age. No matter the career.
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Stewyeww
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Stewyeww 9/9/2022 6:03am
9/9/2022 6:03am
I'd say 2, any older and your wasting your time.
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ecavaliere
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ecavaliere 9/9/2022 6:15am
9/9/2022 6:15am
When the sperm hits the egg. Any later than that and you are behind and playing catch up
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drivrswntd
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drivrswntd 9/9/2022 6:20am
9/9/2022 6:20am
ecavaliere wrote:
When the sperm hits the egg. Any later than that and you are behind and playing catch up
Bingo. Need to plan that perfectly so your kid has a January or February birthday at the latest to take the most advantage as possible with the AMA age rules.
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Chris_Buehler 9/9/2022 9:12am
9/9/2022 9:12am
LouisianaMotocross wrote:
My kids will start a training facility at 3 and do home school so he can workout after riding.
MotofactioN wrote:
My kids will start a training facility program at 2 and obviously be homeschooled as well. Gym etiquette can be taught at the age of 3...
My kids will start a training facility program at 2 and obviously be homeschooled as well. Gym etiquette can be taught at the age of 3. I shall put headphones on his head and play races and podcasts of pro interviews, specifically Ryno, until he is of the age of 2 and in the training facilities. Good luck battling my son.
I will have my pregnant gf hold her baby bump against the TV whilst playing coaching vids on YouTube and old races. Once my son is born I'll do motos with him on my back, in a baby bjorn, so even as a newborn he will get used to speed. My son will smash yours
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Jeremy Macduff 9/9/2022 9:18am
9/9/2022 9:18am
Pros who raced the 50cc class at Lorettas:

Trey Canard
18th 51cc Stock (4-6) 1996
10th 51cc (4-6) AMA 1 Stock 1997
28th 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 1998

Mike Alessi
8th 51cc Stock (4-6) 1994
1st 51cc (4-6) AMA 1 Stock 1995
42nd 51cc Stock (7-8) 1996

Davi Millsaps
31st 51cc Stock (4-6) 1994
10th 51cc (7-8) AMA 2 Stock 1995
1st 51cc Stock (7-8) 1996
1st 51cc (7-8) AMA 2 Stock 1997

James Stewart
20th 51cc Stock (4-8) 1991
2nd 51cc Stock (4-8) 1992
1st 51cc Stock (7-8) 1993

Wil Hahn
41st 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 1998

Eli Tomac
29th 51cc (4-6) AMA Class 1 1999
23rd 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 2000
9th 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 2001

Broc Tickle
23rd 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 1998

Cole Seely
42nd 51cc (4-6) AMA 1 Stock 1997
14th 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 1998

Blake Baggett
3rd 51cc (4-6) AMA Class 1 1999
7th 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 2000
2nd 51cc (7-8) AMA Class 2 2001

Comes from this RacerX article: https://racerxonline.com/2012/08/08/bench-racing-ammo-starting-early
Lucas Windham 9/9/2022 9:54am
9/9/2022 9:54am
I don't think you should get into moto with the intent of going pro. Start the kid out because of the love of dirtbikes and just have fun with it. If he shows talent and commitment on his own then you can cross those bridges when you get there. Expectations early take the fun out and most of the time just disappoint in the long run.
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Dclassdad
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Dclassdad 9/9/2022 10:55am
9/9/2022 10:55am
I ask our 6 yo every time he lines up at the gate, “what’s rule #1?” Have fun! he answers. As it should be at that age. I don’t push him to be the best, however, I do push, but not up his a$$ about form and technique. I figured I’ve seen he likes the throttle, I know he loves to ride, so if he is going to ride and needs to have form in check to be safe as possible. From a 6 year old he says he wants to go to lorettas and win it and I have to try to manage expectations without killing his dreams lol. I tell him just making it is huge as you are one of the fastest 42 in your class. He is pretty good locally winning both championships in the 2 series he competed this year in the 4-6 class. We have not done a national although he has been asking, we did do a area qualifier for lorettas this year but he ended up getting the flu and had a 103 temp on race day. He only cried when we told him no about racing that day, so we gave in and let him race as long as he took his medicine without any fuss. Doped up, flu, fever, he missed the transfer spot by 1, that was a punch in the gut. We have kids in his class that homeschool at that age to train. We aren’t going to do that, as I figure if he loves it and keeps working, he will get as far as his talent allows. No need to jeopardize everything else right now at his age.
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backinthesaddleagain 9/9/2022 11:06am
9/9/2022 11:06am
At this point its already too late, unless he is playing RAW cassettes from the 1980's for the fetus to hear.
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