Lanesborough Boy, 9, Heading to Motocross Nationals
Mickle took on more than 22,000 hopefuls from across America to earn one of 1,482 qualifying positions.
“The Amateur National at Loretta Lynn’s is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in,” event director Tim Cotter said. “A win at Loretta’s gives a racer instant national notoriety and can serve as a springboard to a lucrative professional motocross career.”
Most of America’s top professional motocross racers, including James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana and Ryan Dungey, have won AMA Amateur National titles at Loretta Lynn’s.
Mickle, who attends Lanesborough Elementary in the 3rd grade, has been riding dirt bikes since he was 5 years old.
With the help of sponsors such as Mickle Electric Inc., Sandbox Kings, Minton Cycle, Bell Helmets, Dunlop, Performance Rec, GoPro, and Illusive gloves, who help pay his way to the races, Mickle has had the opportunity to pursue his dreams. He has won many races in the last three years and competes nearly every weekend in races across the country.
This is his second time making it to the National Championship, the first was in the 4-6 class, where he finished 31st out of 42 racers.
Mickle will make the journey to Hurricane Mills, Tenn., along with his family, The race runs July 31 to Aug. 5, 2017. Mickle and his family will be camping onsite for the week-long event and will have the opportunity to participate in many non-racing evening activities.
The top finishers in area qualifiers and regional championships earn a gate position in the National Championship race at Loretta Lynn’s. Racers may enter a wide variety of classes, from minicycle classes for children as young as 4, all the way up to a senior division for riders over 50. There are also classes for women and classes for both stock and modified machines.
In total, there are 38 different classes of competition. Mickle will compete in the 50cc 7-8 class.
The track is built on a section of Loretta Lynn Ranch and Campground. The course contains a variety of jumps, corners and other obstacles designed to test the skills and stamina of the racers. The motocross track is used only once a year for motorcycles, so there is no hometown advantage. Racers compete in three 15-20 minute races over the course of the week per class, sometimes in grueling temperatures. Proper training and preparation are paramount.
Most riders attend the event with the help of their families. In fact, many consider the event their family’s summer trip, nicknaming it the “World’s Greatest Motocross Vacation.” Besides the races, the week-long event hosts many family-friendly activities, including swimming, a talent show, concerts, and live entertainment.
The race action will be telecast live daily at www.racertv.com, Aug. 1-6, for a total of 40 hours of live coverage. In addition, two highlight shows featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network in the fall.
For additional information on the Amateur National, visit the official website at www.mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0101. Also, follow the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for exclusive content and to catch the latest news.
