FROM the drop of the gate to the chequered flag is where Millicent youngster Tom Lambert showcases his incredible motocross potential.
The 11-year-old motocross racer has improved in leaps and bounds over the last two years and currently leads both the South Australian and Victorian titles in his respective classes.
Lambert began racing just three years ago after watching his friends race the stadium cross at the Millicent Show.
While he had been given his first motorbike at just six years of age, racing was another level to riding around the paddock.
However, that did not stop Lambert from progressing into an impressive young racer.
Lambert attended a come-and-try day at the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club’s McNamara Park motocross track and never looked back.
“I though it would be good to start racing,” he said.
“It is fun, you can meet new people and I like taking risks.”
The Lambert family are constantly travelling the countryside, with parents Shane and Linda committed to their children’s motocross aspirations.
Tom shares the track with his younger sister Emily, who is also an impressive racer.
His highlights are sharing the road with his family and testing himself against riders from all over Australia.
“I like travelling because I get to ride new tracks and spend time with my family,” he said.
At one point in his career, Tom decided to move his focus to off-road racing, but has since shifted back to motocross.
In 2017, Tom won the 65cc C Grade Western Region Motocross Series overall title and also finished second in the SA Off Road series.
This season he currently leads the SA State Titles in the 65cc 10-12 Year class and sits equal second in the 85cc Small Wheel 10-12 Years class with two rounds to run.
The recent round was held at Murray Bridge where Tom claimed the win in his 65cc class, then finished third overall on his 85cc.
After three rounds of the Victorian State Titles, Tom leads the 65cc B Grade, despite blowing his bike up in the first meeting.
He won the overall on his KTM 65SX at Round 2, then finished second on both his 65cc and 85cc machines in Round 3.
And the motocross rider’s success does not stop there.
He has also headed his competitors to hold the lead in the Victorian Western Region 65cc B Grade championship and sits second on his 85cc.
The youngster is a quiet achiever, but his style on the track certainly speaks for itself.
His corner speed, jumping and general pace are just some of the factors which see Tom finish at the head of the field.
Tom aims to make his way through the junior ranks and continue to improve, then hit the senior classes and race overseas.
“I want to go race over in America,” he said.
“I would also like to keep getting good results so I can get some sponsors.”
Tom thanked his parents, sister and mechanic Wade Fennell for helping him achieve his goals.
