REECE Crutch isn’t afraid to admit that he gets scared.
But that hasn’t stopped him from living out his dream and mixing it with the very best young motocross riders in the country.
“I started riding when I was about four because my older brother would ride, and I started racing when I was seven and I liked it ever since,” Crutch said.
And last month he claimed victory in the Australian Arena Motocross Series in the 65cc category, which was hosted over two rounds at Bathurst and Brisbane.
Crutch proved that consistency was the key to success.
At Bathurst he finished third, third, and first in the three races at that event, while in Brisbane he finished third, second and second in the trio of races, which was enough to claim the crown.
The 12-year-old, who goes to school at St Dominics College in Penrith, said it wasn’t until the second race at Bathurst when he realised he belonged with the best for his age in the country.
“It was really scary because I’d never ridden in a stadium or a showground so I’d never had that many people watching me the whole time. I wasn’t used to that,” he said.
“The nerves got better about halfway through the day when I knew I was one of the fastest kids out there and it made me more confident.
“I’d never rode a track like those ones before so I didn’t know if I’d be as fast as everyone else.”
Mum Melissa admitted that the family moved to their property at Glossodia mainly to give her kids a chance to ride their motorbikes, and Reece has made good use of his home-made jumps and course.
And he’s already eyeing-off an even bigger 2015. ‘‘Next year I’ll move up to 125cc,’’ he said.
He is coached by fellow Hawkesbury champion Mackenzie Tricker, who is competing in the US.
