By Staff
NILES - Taylor W. Davis just made his dreams come true.
The 12-year-old dirt-bike racer has qualified for the largest amateur motocross race in the world, the 23rd annual AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Hills, Tenn.
Taylor's parents, Anne and Kevin, will pack up the family camper and head to Tennessee for the National race, which is held Aug. 2-7.
Most of America's top professional motocross racers, including Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart, have won the AMA Amateur National championships. A win at this race is so valuable that two teenagers, Georgia's Davie Milsaps and Pennsylvania's Broc Hepler, were awarded with six figure pro contracts after winning that championships last year.
Taylor, who attends Howard Elementary School, has been riding since he was four years old.
He has won over 200 races in his career and competes every weekend at Red Bud in Buchanan, Dutch Sport Park in Bloomingdale, Log Road in Coldwater and many other out of state races.
Taylor is one of 1,700 riders who has spent the last four months qualifying for the event. The top finishers in the area and regional qualifiers earn a birth into the National Championship race. Racers may enter a wide variety of classes, from minicycle classes for children as young as four, all the way to a senior division for riders over 40.
The track is built on Loretta Lynn's Ranch and campground. The course contains a wide variety of jumps, corners and other obstacles designed to test the skills and stamina of the racers.
Most riders attend the event with the help of their families. In fact, many groups consider this their family vacation. Besides races, the ranch provides family friendly facilities including a game room, swimming pool, arts and crafts and a fashion and talent show.
Taylor would like to thank everyone who has helped make his dreams come true: Moose Racing and Parts Unlimited, Smith Goggles and Alpinestar Boots, Behind Bars Motocross and Motorcycle Shop (James and Craig), Torco Race Fuels in Decatur (coach Preston), Lake Effect Power Sports in Sister Lakes (Brian), Frese Discount in Dowagiac (Fred and Kendra), B &S Trucking for all your hauling needs (Brian and Shelly), Red Bud Track N Trail and Dutch Sport Park, Hacker's Golf and Games, Campbell Ford and all of their employees, B &J pub and all their patrons, The Finley Family of Edwardsburg, Grandma Diane and Grandpa Dave, Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Gary, Grandma Wilma and Grandpa Bill, Uncle Bill, Aunt Karen and all of the gang, Aunt Peggy and Uncle Brent and all of the friends and family that have been so supportive over the last eight years.