At just 8-years-old, Hayden Downie already knows what he wants to be when he grows up – a motocross superstar.
The Flagstone-based rider has competitively taken to the handlebars for the past three years, and after last weekend’s win, at the 2017 Coffs Harbour Stadium MX Series, the youngster feels more confident than ever.
Hayden placed first in the 50CC Division 2 Auto, consisting of riders aged seven to nine, in the junior section of the competition.
“It’s really fun and I like that if you push yourself hard enough, you can win and get a trophy, and actually get to go up on stage,” he said.
“I get to wave at my family from up there and it makes me feel really proud.
“I want to be like the motocross racer Ryan Dungey when I grow up.”
Hayden’s dad, Matthew Downie, hoped his son’s win would bring more awareness of the sport at a junior level to the area.
He said he would also like to see a publicly-accessible motocross track open closer to home.
“We have so many young, up-and-coming riders who would love to ride and train anytime they could,” Mr Downie said.
“We currently have to travel 45 minutes to the Q and P (Queensland Moto Park) track at Coulson just to practice, and that’s on the days we’re not training with the motocross clubs at Coolum and Kilcoy.
“It would just be great if we could access the track at Jimboomba any time – not just on special occasions or events – or even have a designated area the kids could ride on all year round.”
Mr Downie said the next competition on Hayden’s agenda – which the youngster will train hard for – will be the 2017 Australian Supercross Championship, held in Jimboomba on September 23.
The motocross enthusiast will also train to take part in the “Shell Advance Series” and the Australian Motocross Championship later this year.
“It’s a great sport for the kids to do,” Mr Downie said.
“You meet so many wonderful people; the sport has a great atmosphere, and it truly is something the whole family can do and enjoy.”
