Proud as punch: Eight-year-old ATV state champion Jake Gartside with his two 50cc quad bikes. By Glen Atwell
EIGHT-year-old Jake Gartside is already living life in the fast lane.
The pint-sized pocket rocket recently won the 2006 Yamaha ATV State Championship, and did so in memorable style.
Jake won 24 consecutive championship races on his 50cc ATV (all terrain vehicle), or ‘quad’ bike, and travelled all over Victoria in the process.
From Bairnsdale to Warrnambool and back to his home club Maffra-Sale, Jake has been riding rings around his opponents since he first began racing in April.
The Springvale Valley Primary School grade two student said he loved riding his bike all over Victoria.
“There is racing most Sundays, and I get to go all over the place, it’s great fun,” he said.
Reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour, Jake knows all about catching some serious air.
“I love the speed, turning and getting some air off the jumps,” he said.
“Jumping can be a bit scary though.”
Jake’s dad Grant, who won the Jumbo Junior championship, said he always got a bit nervous when his son was soaring through the air.
“I was really anxious when Jake first started racing, but now I relax as much as I can. He’s very good at what he does,” he said.
Grant said Jake’s dedication to the sport didn’t stop when he wasn’t racing.
“He has started taking to the mechanical side of things, he can pull wheels off and keep his quad clean,” Grant said.
Having eclipsed the junior 50cc division, Jake now has his sights set on competing in the 90cc championships.
“Next year I’ll probably do both the 50cc and the 90cc,” he said.
Luckily, Jake has the support of passionate sponsors, including ProMechA Suspensions, Dandenong Motorcycles and ATV Spares Australia. Grant said their support made Jake’s racing career possible.
“They are local businesses and have really given Jake the support he needs, he couldn’t do it without them,” he said.
