Four-year-old Maverick Whalan’s wish came true when his parents gifted him his first motorbike for Christmas.
Six years on, the now 10-year-old is competing against some of the best riders in the country in a sport he loves.
“I loved riding in the bush,” Maverick said.
“Then my best mate started riding at Lightweight Motorcycling Club in Byford and asked me to come along and that’s what started my passion with racing.”
Last week, Maverick arrived back in Perth after lining up at Australia’s largest supercross event, the Melbourne Australian Supercross.
“I came away with a top 10 finish, coming in ninth behind some serious riders. Some who have just come back from racing in America and at the world supercross which was held in France,” Maverick said.
“Those guys and girls are next level competition and getting the opportunity to bang bars with them was unreal.
“There are always a lot of nerves before the first gate drop of the day but I try my best to take a deep breath, count to 11 and when the 15-second board comes out, it’s head down, eyes up and twisting the throttle.
“After that, there’s not really any time to really think about the nerves as I’m flying over the jumps.”
The young rider said he started racing when he was five-years-old in the demo class, a non-competition category.
When he turned seven, he went into the 50cc auto class which is the first level of competition for riders.
Maverick said the annual Manjimup 15,000, held in WA’s south, was his favourite race.
“(There’s) lots of national and international senior riders, along with some serious junior riders,” he said.
When asked what the best part is about racing, Maverick couldn’t pin down one answer.
“The competition, the thrill of winning the jumps, the speed and not to mention the friendships I’ve made along the way,” he said.
“I get to travel the country with my family and friends and there’s no better feeling than coming home with a win.”
Maverick’s parents said they were incredibly proud of his achievements in motosport.
“He has achieved so much in the short time he has raced and getting picked to race in front of 30,000 people last weekend would have to be one of the favourites for sure,” they said.
“To even get picked out of 300-plus applicants was an achievement in itself.”
