While most students use their free time to play sports, do homework or hang out with friends, junior Clint Wells has spent his time racing motocross since he was in kindergarden. He now even aims to go pro, switching to homeschooling in order to allow himself more time to train and compete.

11-year span distinguishes Wells’s dedication

When Wells was 5-years-old, his parents bought him his first dirt bike, which was a Yamaha PW50 from Wilson’s Motorcycles. Ever since then, he has been addicted to the sport.

“When I was first introduced to motocross, it was just so cool and I wanted to go fast,” Wells said. “I was so little I hardly remember it; all I know is that I was brought up through the sport.”

When Wells went out for his first time riding, he was eager to get into motocross, and enjoyed the experience. According to Wells, he has always liked the sport because of the adrenaline rush he feels through speed.

“I wasn’t really afraid of riding because, at the time, there was a little pin by the throttle to control the speed of the bike and to adjust how far you could pull the throttle out,” Wells said. “I kept telling my dad to loosen the pin and he did; I ended up grabbing a handful of throttle and went through a fence. So I guess you could say I wasn’t very hesitant.”

Throughout the years, Wells’s dedication to the sport has contributed to the development of his passion. When he rides, he also finds new aspects of motocross to enjoy, like the weather and the variations of tracks.

“Riding and racing motocross is my passion,” Wells said. “I am so addicted to it, and I don’t know what I would do without it. Why racers find it so incredible is because every single time you go to ride or race, it’s different. Whether the track is groomed differently, lines, dirt texture, rain or shine, how many friends you have with you, it’s always different.”

Although Wells has learned to love the sport, there have been times when motocross was not easy. Whether it be technical or personal issues getting in the way, it makes it difficult to focus on the track.

“Finding the time to ride can be frustrating because sometimes I have very little time on the track,” Wells said. “And there are also things like bike problems, money, sickness and traveling that get in the way.”

Wells enjoys many things about motocross, but he most favors the many variations he can take within the activity.

“I really like that there are a variety of tracks to choose from,” Wells said. “The fear of doing a new jump, the dirt, training, the smell of premix in gas, sometimes the traveling and that it is an independent sport.”

According to Wells, to become good at something, practice is required. Wells says practicing is a must for succeeding and, over time, his practice hours have increased, causing him to develop his skills in the sport.

“Riding times have definitely changed since I started riding; I ride a lot more now,” Wells said. “I try to practice at least three days a week and usually for a pretty long time. It really depends on what I’m training for at the time, but, for example, after school on Thursdays I ride from 4-8 p.m. When winter comes, I go out to the Wymore Training facilities [a friends’ house] and practice as much as I can and on the weekends as well.”

Though riding can be fun, there is always a risk to it. Serious injuries can occur, but this is something most riders are willing to face. Wells has had his share of minor injuries, but there were a couple times he was involved in some substantial incidents.

“A couple years ago in Madera, I swapped out, which is when the tail end of the bike moves back and forth, and eventually I was ejected off the bike, which resulted in a minor concussion,” Wells said. “When I was on a 65 [mini bike], I did not make it over a jump all the way and I got thrown off the bike and broke my collarbone. I didn’t know I broke it, so I got up and finished the race. About three days later we found out it was broken.”

Wells begins progression from amateur to professional

Over his six years of competitive racing, Wells has accumulated a multitude of trophies and plaques. Wells competes in two specific classes, the 250 C Class and the 450 C Class. Although age has a little bit to do with the placement, it is mostly classified by skill. Therefore, one would move up in class by improving and winning races.

When riders want to move up, it is advisable to have sponsors to help with reducing costs, bike repairs and other things, which can get costly for riders. Wells has worked hard to get acquire nine sponsors, which allows him to participate in more races.

“To get my sponsors I made a resume and sent it in to the specific company,” Wells said. “I am currently sponsored by Thousand Oaks Powersports, Clean Bottle, UFO Plastics, Von Zipper, Maxima Racing Oils, Renthal, Globe Shoes, EVS Sports, Gaerne Boots and Leatt Brace.”

Similar to other sports, there are several professional riders who are involved in motocross events around the world. According to Wells, he has a few favorites who have influenced him a lot throughout his racing career.

“My favorite pro-riders are Ryan Villopoto, Trey Canard and Ricky Carmichael,” Wells said. “I really like Villopoto because he is so fast! Canard is an inspiration because he has the same favorite Bible verse as me, which is Philippians 14:3. Carmichael is called the G.O.A.T. [greatest of all time]. They have all influenced me to continue riding and to become better.”

Because of school, Wells is not able to go to races that are more crucial to his riding career, so he has decided to do homeschooling.

“I need a more flexible schedule to get to bigger races farther away,” Wells said. “It was really hard going to school doing that, so I have decided to do online high school to broaden my chances of progressing in the sport.”

As this is another step toward’s Wells’s professional career, his dad, Scott, thinks that his son moving forward is reasonable because, after racing for so long, and he knows his son’s abilities.

“I think it’s great,” Scott said. “Clint has been racing for many years and it’s wonderful to see him set a goal and work hard to accomplish it. I just hope he can keep his bike on two wheels and stay safe in the process.”

Scott also comments on how proud he is of Clint and his achievements.

“Clint is a good and honest kid and this year Clint has an awesome GPA,” Scott said. “I am very proud of that. In terms of motocross, I am proud that he has advanced so much in the last year. He is starting to become scary fast out there and it’s a real pleasure to watch and support him.”

According to Wells, he is preparing to become a professional rider because he does not want to be stuck with an ordinary job.

“I for sure want to go pro because I really don’t want an eight-to-five job,” Wells said. “I really love this sport and I feel like I could go pro because I have God, my family and my sponsors backing me. Also, I know to go pro I have to work very hard and have a lot of dedication, which I do.”

For more student profiles, read the Dec. 15 article, Kim encounters cultures through exchange.