Yamaha Motor Canada Presents Wednesday’s Amateur Profile With Malcolm Farris

Young Malcolm Farris is one of our east coast talents that just loves to ride dirt bikes. Growing up near the likes of Tyler Medaglia and Mitch Cooke, Malcolm certainly has a lot of positive influences around him. After an awesome year in 2014, which saw him travel outside of Nova Scotia to race in the KTMJRSX in Toronto as well as the Parts Canada TransCan, Malcolm is hoping for the same type of success this year. We caught up with Malcolm for this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Amateur Profile as he and his family were preparing to head down south to do some riding.

MXP: How are you Malcolm? Can we start off by you giving us your age and where in Nova Scotia you live?

MC: Hi Chris! Currently I’m 8-years-old and I live in a little town outside Halifax called Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

That’s one of the coolest town names I’ve heard in a long time. How long have you lived there?

I’ve lived on the family farm all my life! We love it here as it’s very quiet and there’s great riding.

What class do you currently ride and how long have you been riding?

I ride the 7-8 year old 50cc and the 65cc classes, and I’ve been riding since I was 18 months old. My Dad got me my first bike when I was six-weeks-old so I had a lot of time to stare at it and wonder what it was (laughs).

That’s awesome, it sounds like you really love riding. So you had a great year in 2014, what did you do during the off-season to prepare so the 2015 racing season is even better?

Well, this Sunday we to go to Florida for a week of riding with Tyler Medaglia, Mitch Cooke, Boo Greene and of course my Dad! My Mom is also an athletic therapist so she does up my training programs. Hopefully after some riding down south and some training with my mum I’ll be ready to go when the racing begins here in the spring.

That sounds like a fun trip and a great experience to go down there and ride with those guys. Looking back now can you tell us about some of your past racing highlights?

Sure, I raced at the Parts Canada TransCan in the 50cc classes last year and I also raced at the KTMJRSX in Toronto last March. While I didn’t finish on the podium in either of those races they were both a lot of fun and such a cool experience.

I also finished first in the 50cc and third in the 65cc classes at the Pleasant Valley Cup Series in 2014. When the year was over I ended up third in the Atlantic Regional Series in the 50cc (7-8). I was very happy with how the year went, for sure.

Last year was definitely a good year for you. Do you have a favourite track on the east coast?

My favourite tracks are Mt. Thom and Pleasant Valley, and also my track at home!

I’ve heard from a few people that those tracks are great. Heading into 2015 what are your goals?

I want to qualify for the TransCan again, and I’m hoping for a top 10 finish there. I’m also looking forward to getting more comfortable on my 65cc. Obviously with a clutch and gears there’s a little more to worry about so I have a lot to learn. I can’t wait to start the season at Riverglade MX Park in May!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given so far in racing and who gave it to you?

Everyone has always told me that corner speed is everything; anyone can go fast on the straightaway but the corners are where it counts! And to quote Ryan Lockhart, “Jump for show…corners for dough!”

Well Ryan is correct. Do you like music? What is your favourite music?

I love music! My play list consists mostly of Guns ‘N Roses, Beastie Boys, AC/DC, Sloan and classic Michael Jackson!

That’s cool, I didn’t take you for a 1980s rock kind of kid. Here is a cool question for you. What are you usually thinking about while the thirty second board is up?

Definitely one thing, getting the holeshot!

Well, that’s a positive thought. What is your video game of choice?

I don’t play video games that much but when I do it’s Shawn White Skateboarding or MX vs. ATV.

Does everyone at your school know you race dirt bikes?

Yes! I go to a sports school, it’s called Newbridge Academy, and they’re really supportive and everyone likes to hear about my racing!

What is your favourite subject at school other than Gym class?

I really like reading. My favourite books to read are Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Bad Kitty books!

Reading is awesome, I don’t think enough kids read books these days and it’s kind of sad. What is your favourite thing to do other than ride a dirt bike?

Freestyle skiing and golf! Our ski club got an airbag jump this year and I really like to practice my 540s on that! I was first and second in the Provincial Freestyle Skiing Championships this year in slope style and big air. I am also in the golf program at school.

That’s great Malcolm, it sounds as though you’re a well-rounded athlete. Okay, final question for you. Who would you like to thank?

I’d like to thank Mom and Dad, Dave Salari at DENM Engineering, Tyler Medaglia, Freedom Cycle, Fox Canada, HAF, Adam at Podium1, Atlas, Newbridge Academy, Greenhawk and KMF Athletic Therapy.