Jimmy Griffin, 15, from Angledale has finished 3rd in the NSW Junior Motocross state titles and been selected to represent NSW in the Australian Junior Motocross championships at the end of September.
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Jimmy rides a Yamaha YZ125cc and a Yamaha YZ250cc in the premier under 16 years junior championships, and is strongly supported by Yamaha.
The state titles were held over three rounds in Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Oakdale, attracting the best riders in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Consistent top-five finishes in round one and two positioned Jimmy very well going into the final round at Oakdale, but he still needed to run top-three in the last round to podium in the championship.
Jimmy ran third on both bikes to finish third and fourth overall in the state.
“I was really pleased with my efforts in the state titles,” Jimmy said.
“My plan was to ride consistently early on and build up the pressure in the last round.
“I was stoked that I was able to get the trophy.”
Earlier this week, Jimmy received a letter from Motorcycling NSW notifying him of his selection to represent the state.
“This is the third time I have made the state team.
“It is a real honour to make the team and MNSW do a great job looking after us kids who make the team.
“I can’t wait to pull on the blue jumper and hang out with the boys,” he said.
Jimmy rides for the Far South Coast Motorcycle Club and is in his last year as a junior and will advance to the senior grades next year.
He works very hard towards his sport.
“Bega High gives Jimmy time off school sport on Wednesday afternoons so that he can go home and ride,” proud grandmother Shirley Griffin said.
“Practising motos and skills training are critical in this sport, and to be competitive you have to have time on the bike.”
Jimmy and his family have been doing plenty of travelling to take part in a number of racing series.
Jimmy is on the road three weekends out of four, with the average trip being to the Sydney area.
The family has just returned from Mt Kembla where Jimmy took part in the final leg of the five-round East Coast MX Series.
After strong performances in the first four rounds, Jimmy needed a podium finish with both bikes to take an overall top three finish from the event, which he managed.
He finished second on the 250cc and third in the 125cc class, with the result securing him second place overall in the 250cc and 4th in the 125cc class.
“It is another step up the podium!” sister Josie Griffin said.
“It is a fantastic outcome given the quality of the competitors in this gruelling series.”
Josie also rides in the senior women’s class and is often chasing Jimmy around on their home track.
She is currently sitting in third place overall in the women's East Coast MX Series with just one round left to race.
The family is off to Goulburn this weekend for the final round of the Amcross series, which Jimmy currently leads on both bikes after five rounds.
Locals have backed Jimmy's continuing success, with a number of businesses jumping on board as sponsors.
Mick Cole Motorcycles and Yamaha both contributed to the purchase of a new YZ250 for the season.
Bear MX, Scott and Singleton Motorcycles have also backed the talented young rider.
“I am fortunate that my sponsors are interested in what I do and are happy to support me. I could not do it without their support,” Jimmy said.
