To anyone who thinks fitness doesn't matter in Motocross, one local rider says think again. Controlling a dirt bike is a workout, said La Costa Canyon junior Joey Rossi, especially when he's taking sharp turns and heart-stopping jumps at 60 mph.
Rossi's trainer, Steve Haughelstine, said riding dirt bikes is the second most physically demanding sport behind soccer.
“A lot of people,” Haughelstine said, “think just because you turn a throttle that you don't have to be in shape.”
But to be sharp on the bike, Rossi spends hours off the bike working on strength and conditioning.
Early next month, Rossi will face the greatest test to his fitness. He is one of about 1,400 racers who will compete in the AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in hot and humid Tennessee.
To acclimate himself to what Rossi expects to be “100 degrees and 100 percent humidity”, the speed racer plans to arrive early in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
Haughelstine, who has raced at Loretta Lynn before, said the difference between the muggy conditions Rossi will face there and the scorching heat he's used to training in at Perris Raceway and Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, is the dense summer air in the South.
“It's just as hot,” Haughelstine said, “but the humidity makes it harder to breathe, making it harder to get oxygen.”
Two weeks before the start of the largest amateur motocross race in the world, Rossi and his father, Mark, will embark on a road trip in a rented RV with a garage in the back for his two red Honda bikes. On the way, they've mapped out tracks along their route for Rossi to stop and ride.
This kind of devotion to Motocross is evident in Rossi's daily life.
Several times a week, he drives almost three hours round-trip to Temecula for training. He spends hours polishing his helmet and replaying video of courses for upcoming races. When he has to race the next day, he goes to bed early, even if he has to miss a party. Last weekend, Rossi gave away his tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld, his favorite comedian, to race in Perris Raceway's Hot Summer Nights.
Girlfriends come second to racing, said Rossi's mom, Danna Mechelke.
Rossi's family makes similar sacrifices for his dream to one day be a motorsport professional.
Mark Rossi is Joey's coach, mechanic, chauffeur and publicist, and shares his son's passion for the sport. He's taken time from his job as a real estate broker to devote himself fully to Joey's career. To defray the cost of training and competition, estimated at about $70,000 a year, Mark Rossi also sold his house.
But the father doesn't consider what he's done for his son a sacrifice. The “moto-dad” finds fulfillment in maintaining the bikes, traveling the country, watching the races and spending time with his son. Mark Rossi called the events family affairs. At the national championship, Joey's mom, grandmother and two uncles will fly in to cheer him on.
Watching her son race at breakneck speed and attempt daring stunts makes Mechelke nervous but proud at the same time.
“My heart stops over every jump,” Mechelke said. “The Diet Coke can that I'm gripping literally crushes. But the day starts with worry and ends with pride.”
What makes Rossi's parents most proud is their son's maturity. While many of his competitor's are home-schooled to accommodate practice and races, Rossi balances his training with normal school hours. When he recently turned 16, he got a truck with room in the bed for his bikes. To his mother's surprise, he has yet to miss his 11 p.m. curfew.
The focused racer still finds time to surf with his buddies and be a gourmet cook.
By placing in the top five of the Southwest Region and qualifying for the national competition, Rossi is on his way to realizing his dream, which his entire family has worked so hard to make come true.
The contributions of his parents, trainers and local sponsors don't go unnoticed by the competitor and he's confident at nationals he will have his chance to make them all proud.
Said Rossi, “I'll ride with more heart and push harder.”