The Roots MX May 2014 | Page 50

122 By Rachel Witt W hen I ask for a quick interview with Carson Mumford he agrees without hesitation, poised and ready for questioning like a seasoned pro. He’s only twelve years old, but already he’s comfortable speaking in front of an “I mean I saw Ricky Carmichael, McGrath, everybody up on the TV. I always knew that was what I wanted to be.” audience. And why wouldn’t he be? With his shelves already lined with championship title plates and trophies, this “Dirty 100” rider has heard his own voice over the loudspeaker a time or two. That’s not to say that 50 theROOTSMX • ISSUE 1 2014 there’s anything pompous about him. He’s confident, but also calculated in his responses. When I ask him about his goals for the year, he states, “My goal for me this year, is definitely win some motos, win some titles, but be in the race every moto, get up there, show my sponsors I can get on the podium. I’m the youngest in my class. I have two years left in this class. I have time.” His self-assurance is startling for someone so young. Looking at his track record, it’s the work ethic, experience, and competitive roots that drive him to such a level of confidence. He describes his schedule, saying, “It’s definitely not the funnest thing but you gotta get it done so I go to school, then after that, sit in the car for two hours, then go train with Buddy Antunez, Conner Mullenix, Zac Commans, Mitchell Falk, Tristan Miller, Kyle Allison… all the fast kids. They’re all there, we’re all training and pushing the limits. After that you gotta sit in the car for two hours, then get home at 10:00 at night, wake up the next morning, go to school and do it all over again.” Unlike some of his competitors who are home-schooled, Mumford goes to public school, so balancing his time between school, training, and racing doesn’t leave time for much else. It’s easy to question a twelve year old in his resolve about career goals. With two competitive parents, and a sister who dances competitively, Mumford seems bred for it. So when did he decide he would be a professional motocross racer? “Since I got a dirtbike,” he says without hesitation. “I mean I saw Ricky Carmichael, McGrath, everybody up on the TV. I always knew that was what I wanted to be. Got a PW for Christmas one year and started off in the backyard on a little turn track. Just went from there.” He’s still got a long road ahead of him, but Mumford seems up to the challenges, confident that with practice and persistence, we’ll continue to see him on top of the box.