Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com

El Dorado native and 16-year-old Brady Collins is still taking in everything that has happened over this summer – including winning a national championship in his favorite sport, motocross.

Growing up, Brady never felt compelled to play sports. Instead, he liked the rumble of an engine and dirt flinging behind him. That is what he has known since he was just three years old when his father, Nick, placed him on a motorbike. He began to compete at just four years old, loving every minute of the adrenaline and curve of the track.

“I never liked team sports because the whole team wins,” said Brady. “But in motocross it’s individual, so it’s all on yourself to win or lose.”

With his dad as his coach and mechanic, they’ve toured the Midwest several times to compete and practice. In fact, most of his skills and practice have some straight out of their backyard where they have a small homemade track. There he practices after school each day to sharpen his skills.

He says he has taken home some local titles but never imagined that just 12 years later he would win a championship title of the AMA Amateur National Motorcross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee.

“I feel a lot of pressure on national championship races,” said Brady. “I was very nervous.”

After racing against 40 other competitors throughout six races in two classes, Brady was able to secure the 250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited class championship plate. The competition spanned over a week in July but was worth the wait to hold up the coveted #1 plate.

“I think I was able to secure the championship by staying consistent and having the best starts,” said Brady. “I didn’t override and that was really important.”

Seeing his son having fun and enjoying the sport is the most important thing for Nick.

“I’m just trying to help my kids do the best they can,” said Nick. “He works on drills at home, and we support him however we can.”