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Waterford Elementary student excels in dirt bike racing

Carson Farmer started riding a dirt bike with training wheels when he was just 3. Now at 9, he just finished his first full racing season, bringing home a slew of awards, including three first-place finishes.

The sport has taught him how to win, how to lose and the importance of practice, said his mother, Kyla Farmer.

“Sometimes it’s not their fault if they lose–it could be a mechanical issue,” she said. “They have to learn to accept that, which is a good lesson.”

The Waterford Elementary third-grader has also learned responsibility for his equipment, knowing how to change the spark plugs, the oil and more on his bike.

Her son even has a signature racing look, after a Fourth of July race where the family pinned an American flag to the back of his chest protector, she said.

“(In the stands I ) could hear little kids keep saying ‘There’s the kid with the flag!'” she said. “While he was out there racing and hitting the jumps, the flag was flapping in the wind. Since then, we couldn’t take it off. It’s his staple.”

Carson said he’s looking for sponsors for the 2019 season and already anticipating those races.

Question: How old were you when you first started riding a dirt bike?

Answer: I was 3.

Q: What do you love about riding?

A: I love doing jumps, especially doubles, where there are two.

Q: What’s it feel like, when you’re that high, going that fast?

A: It’s awesome. When I have a couple I haven’t hit before I do kind of feel nervous.

Q: Who taught you how to ride?

A: I started riding with my dad.

Q: When did you start riding competitively and doing races? Do you mostly race against people your own age?

A: I was 6 or 7. Some of the people I race against are older but some are my age.

Q: Do you have to spend a lot of time taking care of your bike?

A: I have to change the oil after every race. I like to do it, though. It’s fun to do it.

Q: When you’re not racing, where do you like to ride?

A: Mostly at my house but sometimes I go to other tracks and practice.

Q: You had a lot of first place wins this season. What’s it feel like to come in first?

A: It’s fun. And when you win a series, it feels really awesome.

Q: Where do you see your future in racing?

A: My goal is to get to the Loretta Lynn (Amateur National Motocross Championship). You have to go to certain races and if you qualify, then you can go to the Loretta Lynn.

Q: What are your other hobbies?

A: I like to work on dirt bikes and to ride (bicycles).

Q: You’re in third grade. What’s your favorite subject?

A: I like math the most.

Q: What do you think you want to do someday as a career?

A: I want to go pro.

Q: Do you get to travel a lot to do these races?

A: Yes. For the qualifying races for the Loretta Lynn this year, we’re going everywhere that’s six hours around us.

Q: What’s it like to go to new places and talk to the other racers?

A: It’s fun. I make a lot of new friends.

Q: Have you ever had any accidents?

A: I broke my femur (riding a four-wheeler).

Q: Were you scared to ride again?

A: No. I wanted to go back right away.

Kate York conducted this interview.

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