Since 2002 at the age of six, Garth Amrein of Katikati has been competing in the sport of Motocross.

He began riding at the tender age of four when he received a four wheeler for his birthday, and two years later was riding a Honda XR50. Dad Steve built him a dirt course on the family farm so he could practise.

By the time he turned nine, Garth, weighing 27kgs, and only 1.4metres tall, had already begun filling up a trophy cabinet, and was on track for bigger things. Every day after school Garth dons his full kit of helmet, goggles, kidney belt, breathable shirt, pants, chest guard, kneepads and boots, and spends hours practicing.

There is a strict code of ethics in the sport and it is good for discipline, a good basis for future development which is serving Garth well.

Terms such as 'doubles' and 'tabletops' along with steep hills and tight bends, could, in the early days, be nerve wracking for his parents to watch, his mum Diane says. But Garth loved the sport, has a natural ability and because of his commitment, they have been behind him every step of the way. Even at this stage Garth was competing almost every weekend at Taupo, Patetonga, Tauranga and Tokoroa, and watching top riders in action with world renowned Ben Townley of Taupo a favourite. He kept in touch with Garth via a family connection and when Garth won the 6-8years Japanese 50cc class hosted by the Nelson Motocycle club November 2003, Townley sent him a congratulatory poster

Accidents have been few, although he has had the occasional visit to hospital.

Throughout his career support has come from John Blyde of Adams Motors, Katikati, Bayride Tauranga, and Vitec Fertilisers.

Although in the early years Garth was quiet and reasonably shy, he has always been an aggressive rider, particularly liking the straights “because you can go faster.” And he has a goal, to be the best in New Zealand by the time he is 16. By April 2005 Garth was the best in the Mini 65cc class for the 2004/2005 season at his home club, Patetonga Motorcycle Club. He also claimed the Overall Points section in the 6-10 years group by scoring 385 points from eight events

This was the year Garth decided he wanted to make a top 10, which he did at Thames Valley Championships and the Auckland Champs at Pukekohe. Although still eligible to ride in the 65cc class, he took possession of an 85cc small wheel Kawasaki, to practise on which prepared him for the next group.

In the September Garth crashed spectacularly in the first race of the North Island Mini Championship. Even with a broken bike (rear guard broken, no front brakes, only back ones) he still managed to get up to 6th place out of 29 riders, such was his determination.

Concentration and focus is what keeps Garth on track, and this along with his training saw him take out the number five title at the 2005 KTM New Zealand Mini Motocross Champs at Tokoroa in the November.

He was surprised as conditions had been hot and dusty on the first day and wet on the second. His final race in the 65cc class at the North Island Junior Champs saw him placed 2nd.

It was at this time Steve had a trailer made to carry Garth’s bikes as he was competing and travelling more.

Bad timing saw Garth turn nine the week before the Nationals in April 2006 and moving up to the 8-10 Junior group and his 85cc bike. His first competition as a junior was to be at the Nationals hosted by the Rotorua Motorcycle Club. Other group nationals are held at the end of the year. But he had another goal in sight for this year, to place in the top five in all events.

Riding his Kawasaki KX85 in the 8-10 year group, Garth competed in the Kawasaki Silkolene New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships held at Anzac weekend, entering nine 15 minute races. Although he wanted to be place 12th or higher, not 13 as he is superstitious, he placed a creditable 14th which ranked him in that position for the rest of the year. The other winners and place getters were all 12 year olds who had been racing for two years in that class, so he was happy with his result.

Garth continued racing, placing well for the rest of the year. By November he turned 11, and changed to riding a Yamaha. His parents told him to get out there and have fun, which he did, placing 1st at the Waikato Champs hosted by the at Otorohanga Club, to the surprise of his parents, as it was the first time Garth had raced his new Yamaha. December would culminate in a training day with Darryl King, holder of New Zealand and World Championship titles. King runs a training school with the “Subway” sponsored official Yamaha race team.

This would see Garth in the 11-12 year age group for 2007, and in the January start in Supercross. This competition has straights filled with jumps, and a maximum of 10 corners. Garth was looking forward to this as competitors are able to display some of the extreme jumps which audiences love. The year would also see Garth travel to the South Island to compete, supported by Bay Ride, Tauranga, and Adams Motors, Katikati.

In April 2007 Garth and a team of eight other riders from Tauranga competed in the KTM New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships at Mosgiel. He had made the transition well to the 85cc class and 11-12 year age group. Although the team had to raise $21,000 to go, for Garth it was worth it when he placed ninth overall earning him the number 9 plate to attach to his bike. He was ‘rapt’ at this achievement as he had been aiming for a top 20 finish. But it was not an easy path with the top New Zealand riders attending the event. Once again competitors had to run the full gamut of nature’s whims with weather ranging through all the four seasons, providing sunshine, sleet, snow rain, biting wind, extreme cold, and plenty of mud on the track which later turned to dust. It was definitely thermal weather according to Garth’s mum Diane.

A full season ensued with Garth competing at Te Puke, Taupo, Tokoroa, and Pukekohe clubs. In less than a year in the 11-12 year section, Garth who had turned 12, claimed a victory in the 85cc class of Supercross at Tokoroa. What is even more amazing is that it was his first ever Supercross and there were 13 riders in the field.

On the morning of the race he took part in a three hour training session with Darryl King of Yamaha Training Team, to prepare him for the event.

Garth was beginning to grow, his skills were vastly improving and he was doing far better in the 85cc class than he had in the 65cc class.

He crashed at Taupo, climbed back on his bike and finished fourth despite concussion. It put him out of action for three weeks. But there was no holding him back and he was eager to get back on his bike.

At the New Zealand Junior Moto X Championships held 26-28 April 2008 at Otorohanga, Garth qualified high enough on the points system to climb to number six in the rankings. The championship was a chance for New Zealand team selectors to look at all the riders, from which to choose two teams of 15 plus a wild card for the New Zealand World Junior squad.

Garth’s attitude, focus and training paid off with him being selected at the end of May 2008 to join the Development Squad for the New Zealand Junior World Motocross Championships. To be held in Taupo, August 2009, it is the first time these will have been held outside Europe.

The squad will train intensively for the next 12 months travelling all over New Zealand. In a programme designed to produce world champions, part of the training will include diet, fitness, attitude, communication and mental preparation. Team members will be encouraged to keep records of their fitness training, including cycling and swimming, and wear heart monitors. It is basically a semi-pro position these riders are in now, and Garth will travel with other squad members throughout New Zealand as they prepare for their biggest event to date. It is a fantastic opportunity for them as it would be too expensive for any of the squad selected to travel overseas.

Currently in the 85cc class until he turns 16, Garth is well supported in Motocross and Supercross not only by his sponsors, but also by his extended family.