Pharr teen finding success in motocross

At first glance, Pharr native John Clark Jr. may look like nothing more than a teenager chasing after a dream. A dream so far-fetched only the most daring and talented individuals in the world thrive.

But Clark is sold on his unusual flair.

“I’m well on my way right now,” he said, referring to his goal of becoming a professional motocross racer.

Clark competes in the ever-popular extreme sport of amateur motocross, which has catapulted him to the cusp of the nation’s best amateur racers.

“I really love motocross,” he said. “It’s really pushed me. Not to my limit because there’s really no limit to it. You can take it as far as you want and that’s really why I stuck with it because I’ve never stopped.”

Just imagine hauling a 200-pound dirt bike through rugged terrain containing all sorts of challenging hills, slopes and jumps with your heart rate at almost 200 beats per minute.

Sounds intense. But that’s just another day at the office for the 16-year-old PSJA North junior.

Since beginning the sport almost six years ago, Clark has countless victories under his belt, including the prestigious Triple Crown of Texas he captured two months ago on the Austin Del Valle and Cycle racetracks.

His endearing success has landed him on the amateur national circuit, an assembly of the nation’s best-recognized amateur motocross racers. Clark, who’s sponsored by household companies like No Fear and Scott Sports, is one of a few Valley racers to be nationally recognized since McAllen native and American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Famer Steve Wise.

“At a national level, the kid has a chance,” said Jim Kililaha, whose son is trained by Clark. “What I see with John, he definitely has the potential and desire. He’s willing to work.”

His success can be credited toward his nonchalant and fearless demeanor that has always pushed him to greater heights. He ended up competing in amateur motocross after mastering BMX (bicycle motocross) and skateboarding, which he began at 6.

“I’ve never really done a sport and not want to get good at it,” he said. “I’ve always been that person that says, ‘Well that was cool, what’s next?’” It was always, ‘What’s next? What’s the bigger thing?’ I really haven’t found anything crazier than motocross so that’s why I’ve stuck with it for so long.”

Clark is coming off just missing the cut for next month’s 29th Annual Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Motocross Championships in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., the world’s largest amateur motocross race where hopefuls across America compete to garner national appeal. Several of the country’s top professionals have won the sport’s celebrated race during their career, and last season a couple of teenagers were awarded professional contracts.

Clark advanced as far as the regional’s last qualifier before the national competition, but finished short of placing in the top six of the 250cc and 450cc classes.

“I was really disappointed,” he said. “I should have made it but I just crashed. I have the talent and have the speed, but it just wasn’t my weekend. You just got to jump back into the game, restart and act like nothing happened.”

Clark is already gearing toward the 2011 national competition even with the ‘10 event not yet under way. He’s currently training with an uncle in North Carolina before returning to the Valley in time for school in late August. Although Clark will have to wait a year to attempt to secure a spot in next year’s national event, the learning experience gained may be his ticket to reaching the “next” level.

“Most of us want to be pro. There’s about a million guys that don’t make it and about 200 that do. It just depends on how much you want it,” he said. “I’m ready for that next step, no doubt.”

Ramiro Paez covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4470 or via e-mail at rpaez@themonitor.com.