Wednesday’s Yamaha Motor Canada Amateur Profile: Kobi Cox

More than ever before, I believe, this country is loaded with young and talented riders; if they continue to work and stay healthy, all should have a very bright future. In our continuing Yamaha Motor Canada sponsored Amateur Profiles, this week we speak to Ontario rider Kobi Cox. Twelve year-old Kobi loves riding, and when he’s not riding, he just loves being a kid. In 2015 he will be moving up to the bigger 125cc machines so it will definitely be a steep learning curve for him next year. Kobi is a kid that takes everything in stride so he should have no problem adapting to the bigger bike. Here is what Kobi Cox had to say when we were able to catch up with him.

MXP: Hey Kobi, how are things? Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. How old are you, and where do you and your family live?

KC: No problem Chris, thanks for calling. I’m twelve years-old and I live just outside the town of Waterford, Ontario. Waterford is a small town surrounded by farmland and it’s about a 20 minute drive from Gopher Dunes.

How long have you guys lived there?

We’ve lived in this house for two years; our last house was closer to Port Dover, Ontario and we were there for five years.

That’s a nice area of Ontario, I definitely think I could live down there. What class do you ride?

This year I rode the 85 7-11 and Super Mini classes but my Dad got me a YZ125 in the summer because I have grown quite a bit in the last little while. Next season I plan to race Schoolboy and another class, but I’m not sure which one yet. I actually really enjoy riding a 125, so far as it’s not a lot different than my Super Mini bike.

It’s good to hear that you’re enjoying the 125, sometimes kids struggle when they move up to a larger bike. How was your 2014 racing season?

This past season was a pretty good for me and I had a lot of fun. I finished fourth overall at the Parts Canada TransCan in the 85 7-11 class and I actually got on the podium in my final moto of the week. That was awesome. In the Rockstar Energy Drink CMRC Provincial series I won the 85 7-11 class and I also finished second overall in the Fall Series. I also came in third overall in Super Mini with our local race club, Thames Valley Riders. In the last few races I had the chance to test out my YZ125 racing in their Junior B class and finished in the top five in a couple races. The last race of the year at Gopher Dunes I actually won both Junior B motos so I was happy with that.

Congratulations! That sounds like a pretty good season. What are some of your past racing highlights?

I’ve had the opportunity to race some Loretta Lynn Qualifiers in the past. The highlight for me was doing the Regional at Red Bud this year; that track is sick. We’re very lucky that we live only two hours away from Walton Raceway so I have been able to race at the TransCan since I was on 50s. I have finished in the top five most years there but my best was a third overall. We also have travelled to Michigan a few times for local events and I’ve had some really great finishes at Baja Acres. My family really enjoys going there because we always have a lot of fun, and over the years we’ve made a few friends there.

Speaking of tracks like Walton Raceway and Baja, if you had to pick a favourite track what would it be?

I really like Gopher Dunes! It probably helps that it’s my home track and I’m used to how rough and crazy the track gets. Sometimes my friend, Hayden Halstead, takes me there to help with my training, and the Schuster family has always been really good to me.

These days the tracks have a lot of cool obstacles. What is your favourite obstacle on a track?

I really like the jumps, especially the table tops. Sometimes I like to challenge myself to jump further and further until I can clear them. I also really like fast corners because it feels like you shoot out of them like a slingshot.

Do you have a particular jump that you like?

My favourite jump is the table top that’s along the bush line at Gopher Dunes. You can hit this table really fast and scrub it. I also like the natural at Walton Raceway. It took me a long time to get the nerve up to do it but now it seems kind of small to me. Maybe it was just all the hype about doing the natural that had me a little freaked out back then.

Before the start of a moto, do you like things calm or rocking?

I pretty much like things quiet and calm before a race. Usually, I sit in our motorhome, have a snack and just chill before a moto. I think it helps me relax, and then when I go to the line I don’t really have time to get all nervous.

What usually is going through your head when the 30 second board is up?

I really just try to clear my mind of everything but that first corner. I picture my line and really, really hope that I don’t go down. I’ve been working extremely hard on my starts; they’re still a work in progress but definitely getting better.

Would you rather holeshot and win or come from behind and win?

I tend to be a “come from behind” guy. Maybe I’m just used to that strategy because my starts are not always the greatest. I seem to have good results finding passing lines. Who knows, if my starts keep getting better maybe I can try being the “holeshot” guy for a bit, that would be cool to take the lead early and not have to get dirty.

Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?

Yes, most of the kids at my school know that I race motocross. I’ve had the same teacher for the past three years and she gets excited about my racing. She always wants to see my trophies, and she’s really great about me missing school now and then. Hopefully she will be as understanding when we tell her that I am going south for motocross training for a month this winter (laughs).

I’m sure she’ll be okay with that, as long as you work really hard to stay caught up on your studies. What is your favourite subject in school?

Obviously I’m going say gym because that’s what most moto guys would say, however I also like math a lot. I do love playing all different kinds of sports and I try to stay very active.

What is your favourite thing to do other than ride a dirt bike?

I really like to ride my road bicycle. Sometimes I come home from school and go for a good long ride a couple nights a week when the weather is good. We live in the country so I like to bomb around on my pit bike or on our golf cart. In the winter I like to go swimming at the Rec Centre and go to the indoor skate park. I guess I like doing a lot of different things, I just enjoy being a kid right now.

I remember those days, sometimes just being a kid is fun. Obviously you have a lot of people who support you, can you tell us who you’d like to thank?

There are a few people who help me out on a regular basis. Rynotech and Techcare help keep by bikes running great, Hayden Halstead rides with me and helps with my training, and I recently became an official Atlas Brace Athlete so I am really excited about that. As always, I have to thank my Mom, Dad and sister Morgan for all their love and support. I’m very lucky to be able to do something I love and do it with my family.

Alright Kobi, thanks again. Have a good winter and good luck down south.

Thanks Chris, I really appreciate you calling me.