By Brett Friesen (as told to Katherine Dolan)
It’s terrifying.
Every single time I line up behind the gate, or gear up for a practice, I always get nervous. The day I don’t get nervous? That’s the day I would know the sport of Motorcross isn’t for me. So for now, I will always get nervous.
I have been on a Motorcross bike since I was 4 years old and am now 17. I have three older sisters, who were also all involved in the sport and I have to say it is the most family orientated sport under the sun. Anyone can participate, the entire family can get involved and because of it, I had an amazing childhood.
Both my Mom and my Dad rode when they were younger. My Dad did it growing up but had to sell his bike because he didn’t have the money to stay in it. So growing up, he bought all 4 of us bikes and it became something we did as a family.
We would pack up the trailer and on Friday we would head straight to the track for the weekend. My sisters are in their 20’s now and don’t race anymore, but I will continue to pursue the sport as long as I can. And after winning my Junior Class with Wild Rose last year, I am pumped to be on the edge of my dream.
I was born into the sport as my father lives and breaths Motorcross and I have taken up the same passion. I tried hockey but I was always more drawn to Motorcross, so I hung up my skates when I was 15 and have been focusing solely on Motorcross ever since.
Some might see it as my father dictating my path, but that would be the farthest thing from the truth. It’s hard to explain, but I love this sport so much, I just want to master it and be the best that I can be. And my Dad doesn’t push me over the edge. It is my dream and yes he’s played a huge role in helping make this happen but it’s my decision.
It is an incredibly grueling sport to be involved in, both physically and mentally. If you haven’t seen a race before, it looks like mass chaos from the outside. Forty racers line up with their dirt bikes and all drop into the course at the same time. Going anywhere from 80 – 90 km per hour, we ride through jumps and corners hoping to be the fastest one through the course. It is a constant adrenaline rush from start to finish.
The track gets brutally beaten down as does your body because it’s so physically demanding. You wouldn’t think of it because you have a motor under you, but throwing around a 300 lb. machine isn’t easy to do. The best training you can do is to be on your bike on the track, but I also work out at the gym because you have to be in shape to push the limits like we do.
Yes, it is a dangerous sport. Yes, it is an expensive sport. Yes, my Mom doesn’t like to watch me compete, but I wouldn’t be able to compete in the sport if I didn’t have my faith. Before every race, I pray and that makes all the difference for me. You can never know exactly what is going to happen, as it is dangerous. But my faith has driven me to higher levels and comforted me so much, I don’t think I could put my leg over a bike if I didn’t have faith.
This is my final year of high school, so next year I’ll start chasing my dream to one day become an American Pro. I would be happy to be a Canadian or an American Pro, it’s just the sport is bigger on the other side of the border, with more money and more sponsorships. However, to be able to ride every day and do what I do, I would be thrilled with either.
The sport has taught me discipline, it’s taught me how to struggle, it’s taught me how to push the limits, and it’s taught me to take things as they come because there are so many elements out of my control (ie the bike), that you are pretty lucky to come out with a win.
It’s a wild, crazy, extreme sport and I can’t imagine my life without it.
See you on the track,
Brett