Dirt bike daredevil

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

Damon Maitland likes riding his dirt bike fast, and the 9-year-old has been doing it for more than half his life.

The soon to be 4th-grade student at Swan River School began riding dirt bikes when he was 4-years-old and began competing the following year.

"A friend gave us a dirt bike," Maitland's father Bill said. "It all started with that."

Maitland continues to improve and place well in competition. He rides a 60 KTM Kawasaki and a Yamaha YZ 85. He started racing with a Yamaha PW 50, an automatic bike with no gears. Maitland will travel to Washougal, Wash., July 22 to compete in the American Motocross Association July 25-27. The national event is Maitland's second competition at that level. The previous national event he competed in was the Loretta Lynn Qualifier, which consists of the best riders from the west coast.

"We're going to try to get him in more national events next year," Bill said.

The possibility of competing against more kids excites Maitland.

"I like trying to beat someone," he said. His father added that during practice Maitland doesn't go too fast, but once there is another kid on the track Maitland's competitive side comes out.

So far this year, Maitland has competed in the Westmont Spring series and the 60 Jr. Class supercross in Spokane. At Westmont he placed first in the 60 A division and second in the 80 C. He was first in the 50 Jr. and first in the Super Mini class. Maitland will also compete in the Westmont Fall series. He continually places among the top 10, with a 12th place finish in the HCMA 50 pw class in 2004.

Maitland has a handful of sponsors that allow him to race locally in Niarada, Plains, Hungry Horse and at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. He took first place in the 60 class ages 7-9 and third place in the 80 class ages 8-15 at the fairgrounds. One sponsor, Penco Power Products, requires Maitland to hold a certain grade point average to maintain the company's sponsorship.

The fan of fishing, rollerblading and swimming continues to look for more sponsors to aid in the travel expenses and upkeep of his bikes. Any interested persons can sponsor or donate money and items for Maitland's trip to Washougal, Wash. Call Dottie Maitland at 249-5184 or Sandy Hawkes at 249-6933 for more information.

According to Maitland's resume, his goal is to be best that he can be.

"Riding dirt bikes teaches me about responsibility, discipline, good sportsmanship and respect. I also do my best by setting examples for all other racers I compete against," he said. "I take pride in what I do and in knowing that I am being a good example for this sport and its participants."

It's those other participants that Maitland said he thinks about during the races.

"I'm wondering where everyone is," he said. "Who's behind me, who's in front of me. Who do I need to pass."

He said he's learned a few other important lessons over the past four years as well.

"I learned that you should never brag that you're going to beat someone before the race. Even though you might have beat them last week they might have improved and will beat you this week."

Maitland enjoys the summer months, as they allow him to ride more often and compete. He also competes in wrestling during the winter months and is involved in 4-H. The older brother to four sisters and two step-sisters, he also enjoys the alone time.

He doesn't get in as much practice as some other riders, or as much as he may like, but Maitland has managed to do well. He practices about once a week, and sometimes does not get to practice until just before the race.

"You always have to practice," Bill said. "It's really competitive at this level. He's been really successful without much practice."

Racing dirt bikes seems to fit the young man, because as his father said, "He looks good on a dirt bike."

The sport is something Maitland said he thinks two of his sisters will compete in as well. One sister is 3-years-old and the other is 1-year-old but has an adventurous and somewhat fearless side to her. Maitland has the same characteristics. He said it hurts when he hits the ground, but that doesn't happen much anymore. One of the first times he hit the ground he said he recalled thinking, "Face, meet dirt."

Although Maitland may not be scared of going fast or clearing 38-foot gaps on his bike, his father said he gets anxious and a little scared watching his son race around the track at such fast speeds. Maitland's father and the rest of his family will have to get over their fears, as Maitland said he plans on racing until he "can't take it anymore."

"So until I'm about 40," he said.