THE name Brad Walkom might not be familiar to many, but the youngster is one of the South East’s brightest sporting prospects.
Walkom is a little 11-year-old who loves motocross and excels at it.
Despite being unable to touch the ground on his bike, he travels around South Australia and Victoria competing against riders up to four years his senior at various state level competitions.
On the weekend, Walkom finished second outright in the Western Region Series at Horsham – his first time at the event.
What made the achievement even more special was he had to overcome a number of setbacks against state-level competition which possessed superior bikes.
In wet and muddy conditions on Saturday, Walkom was caught in the gate which compromised his start dramatically.
After giving up time before he was able to drop the clutch, Walkom caught the field and finished third.
On the final day’s running, he experienced even more highs and lows riding his more powerful bike, the KTM 85.
Walkom said he had to overcome an incident before his eventual race victory.
“I fell off the 85 through the whoops,” he said.
“I went over the handlebars, but I still finished first.”
The event in Horsham was the last round on a six-race schedule for the Western Region Series.
Walkom’s other notable result this year was a victory in an endurance race at Warrnambool.
He said he had to fight through another setback before taking the chequered flag at that event.
“I was leading and we went into this single wheeltrail stuff, but I took the wrong trail” he said.
“I went over the log and bars again and had to chase them down.”
Walkom’s speed and skill continues to improve and amazes his father Tim at every event.
Tim said Brad is extremely committed to motocross, which sometimes proves costly.
“The only reason why I keep pumping as much (money) into it is because of his passion,” Tim said.
“He used all my data on YouTube studying the tracks.
“He inspires me with the drive he puts into it himself.”
Brad’s interest for the sport all started when Tim bought him his first bike for his fifth birthday.
However, Brad said he actually did not enjoy his maiden experience.
“All I remember was coming around the second corner and spinning out,” he said.
“I did not want to do it again.”
But it did not take long for Brad to catch the bug.
He said he now enjoys the feeling of riding bikes and pushing the boundaries.
“The best bit about it is just riding” he said.
“I just get into it because it is fun and I always think I can go a little bit faster.”
Unfortunately, Brad and Tim have had to overcome a number of setbacks during their short journey in the sport.
During Christmas time last year, Brad and his two brothers lost their mother to breast cancer.
On the track, the Walkoms’ are forced to start on the back foot due to struggles with the increasingly expensive nature of the sport.
At big events, Tim and Brad arrive with their gear in a trailer in contrast to some of their rivals’ fancy motorhomes.
But Tim said the difficulties make the success extra special.
“It is a good feeling not having the newest of everything, because it is more about having the ability,” he said.
“We run a shoe-string budget, while a lot of the city kids have got all the new bikes.”
Despite this, as Brad continues to climb up the ranks, the expenses rise even higher.
Tim said his family is starting to search around to continue Brad’s journey.
“We are trying to get a bit of help around the place,” he said.
“Brad has had to come out of his shell a bit to talk to people.”
Brad said he has the dream of breaking into the international stage when he grows up.
“I would like to go over to the United States and do the Monster Energy Supercross or to Europe and do the MXGP,” he said.
“I like watching how the bigger boys race around the track, to see what they are doing and how I can improve.”
