Only 8 years old - Has 2009 Great Lakes Motocross rider of the year under his belt
Derick Granberg is a boy of few words when describing his motocross quad racing success.
His grandfather, Steve Cloyd, is not quite as bashful.
When he gets going, Steve will tell you all you need to know about transmission gears, 50cc and 90cc engines, suspension systems, axle replacement ...
"You learn a lot through trial and error," said Steve, a carpenter by trade, a mechanic by night and weekends.
But all this goodwrench mastery aside, you still need a talented rider if you're going to make a mark amid the national ATV racing scene. And that's where Derick comes in.
Just turned 8 years old, Derick recently was awarded the 2009 Great Lakes Motocross Series ATV Rider of the Year after winning the series' 50cc Limited and Production championships.
Last year, Derick won his third straight quad track championship at Joliet Motocross. In 2008 and 2007, Derick was the JLO Indiana Fair Series 50cc Quad Champion.
In the ATVA Moose Racing National Series last year, Derick took second place at Redbud Track in Buchanan, Mich.; and earned two thirds at Loretta Lynn's in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., and Sunset Ridge in Walnut, Ill.
"I like getting a good start and keeping the lead," Derick said. "It's hard to pass when you're behind."
In addition to getting good starts, Derick likes to go airborne.
"I stand up from my seat when I jump," Derick said. "I have better control while standing."
"He also knows how to position his arms when he's up in the air," Steve said. "A lot of riders don't have their arms in the right spot, so when they hit the ground they lose control of the handlebars.
"Derick seems to know all this ... right position of the arms, how to stay balanced in the air ... without anyone having to show him. He has a lot of rider instincts."
That could be because he started riding at a very young age -- 3 1/2.
"I can't remember the first time I started racing," Derick said.
It may run in the family. Derick's cousin and Steve's 17-year-old grandson, Tyler Redmon of Portage, is an accomplished motorcycle racer.
Accompanying Derick and Steve around the country during the racing season are usually Derick's mother, Jennifer Granberg, and Steve's wife, Eva. Other than aforementioned tracks in Illinois, Michigan and Tennessee; the tour runs through Alabama and Kentucky.
"My favorite is Loretta Lynn's," Derick said of the track founded by the country music singer. "There are more things to do there."
And Derick does more than just race.
"He's full of energy," Steve said. "We bring his bicycle to the tracks so he can ride that around when he's not racing. If not that, he's usually water-sliding ... swimming ... fishing."
Source: Only 8 years old - Has 2009 Great Lakes Motocross rider of the year under his belt
His grandfather, Steve Cloyd, is not quite as bashful.
When he gets going, Steve will tell you all you need to know about transmission gears, 50cc and 90cc engines, suspension systems, axle replacement ...
"You learn a lot through trial and error," said Steve, a carpenter by trade, a mechanic by night and weekends.
But all this goodwrench mastery aside, you still need a talented rider if you're going to make a mark amid the national ATV racing scene. And that's where Derick comes in.
Just turned 8 years old, Derick recently was awarded the 2009 Great Lakes Motocross Series ATV Rider of the Year after winning the series' 50cc Limited and Production championships.
Last year, Derick won his third straight quad track championship at Joliet Motocross. In 2008 and 2007, Derick was the JLO Indiana Fair Series 50cc Quad Champion.
In the ATVA Moose Racing National Series last year, Derick took second place at Redbud Track in Buchanan, Mich.; and earned two thirds at Loretta Lynn's in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., and Sunset Ridge in Walnut, Ill.
"I like getting a good start and keeping the lead," Derick said. "It's hard to pass when you're behind."
In addition to getting good starts, Derick likes to go airborne.
"I stand up from my seat when I jump," Derick said. "I have better control while standing."
"He also knows how to position his arms when he's up in the air," Steve said. "A lot of riders don't have their arms in the right spot, so when they hit the ground they lose control of the handlebars.
"Derick seems to know all this ... right position of the arms, how to stay balanced in the air ... without anyone having to show him. He has a lot of rider instincts."
That could be because he started riding at a very young age -- 3 1/2.
"I can't remember the first time I started racing," Derick said.
It may run in the family. Derick's cousin and Steve's 17-year-old grandson, Tyler Redmon of Portage, is an accomplished motorcycle racer.
Accompanying Derick and Steve around the country during the racing season are usually Derick's mother, Jennifer Granberg, and Steve's wife, Eva. Other than aforementioned tracks in Illinois, Michigan and Tennessee; the tour runs through Alabama and Kentucky.
"My favorite is Loretta Lynn's," Derick said of the track founded by the country music singer. "There are more things to do there."
And Derick does more than just race.
"He's full of energy," Steve said. "We bring his bicycle to the tracks so he can ride that around when he's not racing. If not that, he's usually water-sliding ... swimming ... fishing."
Source: Only 8 years old - Has 2009 Great Lakes Motocross rider of the year under his belt
