Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
For this week’s Yamaha Canada Amateur Profile, we stay in Ontario to have a look at one of this country’s fastest, young 65cc riders, Kayden Keller. This Exeter, Ontario resident has been steadily improving each year under the watchful eye of his father and his riding coach, Dusty Wise. Heading into 2015, young Kayden will be moving up full time to the 65cc class and he hopes to have another good year.
MXP: How are you Kayden? Can we start off by you giving us your age and where you call home?
KK: I’m doing great Chris, thank you for asking! I just turned nine-years-old and I live in Exeter, Ontario. Exeter is a small town located in Huron County. The closest track to me would be Walton and it’s about a 25 minute drive.
How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived in Exeter my entire life.
At just nine years of age Kayden has a bright future ahead of him.
Huron County is a beautiful part of Ontario, it’s too bad there aren’t more tracks over there. What class do you ride and how long have you been riding?
This season I will be riding 65cc 7-9, 65cc 7-11 and 65cc Open classes. I am still eligible to ride 50cc 7-8 but have decided to forgo my last year as I have grown too big for my bike. I started riding when I was four-years-old. My Dad said as soon as I could ride my pedal bike without training wheels I could get a dirt bike. The next day I rode without the training wheels and a few months later my parents bought me my first bike – a Honda CRF50.
I love your story Kayden, that’s what I did with my son. What did you do during the off-season to prepare for the 2015 racing season?
During the off-season I did some indoor riding, a lot of indoor BMX, rode my scooter, worked out, as well I spent some time down south at Durhamtown Off-Road Resort in Georgia. It was definitely a long winter but we made the most of it.
It sounds as though you had a great off-season. Can you tell us about some of your past racing highlights?
In 2014 I qualified for Loretta Lynn Regionals in two different regions. Even though I came up short qualifying for Lorretta’s it was a great learning experience. I won the Moto Park Cup 50cc 7-8 series and placed 2nd in the GP Mini. Last year I also finished 7th overall in the AMA District 14 – Michigan State Championship. Before last year I won back to back 50cc 4-6 CMX Provincial Championships.
Wow, so far you’ve had a pretty successful career. Do you have a favourite track?
My favourite tracks are Baja Acres, Valley MX, Freelin MX (all Michigan tracks) as well as Moto Park, Panic Rev MX, and Gopher Dunes. There are so many great tracks that I couldn’t just pick one!
I was going to say, I guess it’s hard to pick just one track (haha). What are your goals for the 2015 season?
My goal this year is to podium in a 65cc race, if not more than one! This year will be a huge learning year for me since it will be my first year racing a 65cc. Depending on how my season goes I‘d like to race the Parts Canada TransCan in August. This year I plan to train and prepare myself to make a run at Lorretta’s in 2016. My biggest goal is to have a safe and fun filled motocross season in 2015. If I can do that then it will a very successful year.
You definitely should race the Parts Canada TransCan Kayden, I think you’d do really well there. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given so far in racing and who gave it to you?
My parents are always giving me good advice and I have also learned a lot from family friend and motocross racer Dusty Wise. He is always on the sideline cheering me on and giving me tips after each race. He has always told me not to be scared of riding ruts. A few weeks ago during a Lorretta Lynn’s Area qualifier I was so proud of myself for finally hitting a rut so smooth and perfectly in order to make a last corner, last lap pass for position. I am finally figuring these ruts out. Now I have to just keep practicing and perfecting!
Well, like I said, if you like ruts then you will do well at Walton Raceway. Do you like music? What is your favourite music?
Yes, I like music. My favourite music is pop and rock. I like anything with a beat!
Here is a different sort of question for you. What are you usually thinking about while the thirty second board is up?
All I can think about is being first to that corner, and hoping that nobody goes down in front of me.
What is your video game of choice?
I like MX vs ATV Supercross & Untamed as well as GTA.
Since he lives close to the border Kayden and his family often head over to famous tracks like Baja Acres to compete. photo by speedpunk images
Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?
Yes, most people know I race and they think it is pretty cool.
What is your favourite subject at school other than Gym class?
My favourite subject at school is Science because I get to do experiments.
I love that you said science. That is a pretty cool subject. It sounds as though you like to do a lot of different things. What is your favourite thing to do other than ride a dirt bike?
I like to hang out with my friends, as well as scooter at the skate park. I guess I just like to stay active and keep busy.
That’s very important Kayden. Here is your final question and it’s an important one. Who would you like to thank?
First off, I would like to thank you, Chris, for thinking of me and allowing me this opportunity. I would like to thank my parents and sister for always being there for me and providing me with everything I need to be a successful racer. As well I would like to thank everyone who helps me along the way: SPY Optic, Forma Boots USA, O’Neal MX USA, Xtreme Mini Motorsports, Goldentyre, Tric Carbon, D&D Moto Products, Matrix Concepts, Wise MX – Dusty Wise, Panic Rev MX, and Jeff & Tanner Ward.
