Riding with the Hamilton Steel City Riders’ Club, Justin competed in the same 50A class as he did last year, earning 403 points to secure a first-place finish.

“I was first again this year,” he said proud of his accomplishment.

Battling it out against 11 competitors, Justin rose to the top after hours of practice on the track constructed on the family’s 4th Concession Road West property.

After receiving a 65-cc dirt bike for Christmas, Justin also tried his hand at the 65A class this season. This bike, explained his mom, Heather, is much larger and requires the driver to clutch and switch gears, unlike Justin’s fully automatic 50-cc dirt bike.

Finishing seventh in the higher class, Justin earned 263 points. Heather explained his result is a great feat, as her son was competing against older boys with many more years of experience under their belts.

While Justin confessed that he preferred riding his 50-cc bike, dad Andrew told the Review that his son caught on to the clutch and gear transmission very quickly. “The first race, he was miserable and failed miserably, but after that he just picked it up and he did good,” said Heather.

But the season didn’t go without any glitches, noted Justin. While competing on the muddy terrain last month, he wiped out, making his mom’s heart drop deep into her stomach.

“He went up and there was a kid down in front of him,” explained Heather. “His bike hit the other kid’s bike and he did one of these,” she added, demonstrating that Justin flew over his handlebars landing hard on the soil.

As a result, Justin’s 65-cc dirt bike was out of commission with distorted handlebars and other mechanical issues. Although he had the wind knocked out of him, he didn’t hesitate to get back on top of his number 159 bike shortly after.

“He just loves to ride,” said Heather, adding that her son has made some lasting friendships through his involvement in the sport.

And if riding in two motocross classes week after week wasn’t enough to keep a young thrill seeker busy, Justin had the opportunity to ride at the 2008 Super- Cross at the Rogers Centre in March.

Unique opportunity

One of 15 young racers from eastern Canada to be chosen for the event, Justin not only whipped around the track atop a brand-new dirt bike, but was also awarded with brand-new sporting gear, including a helmet, brace, gloves, hat and t-shirt.

“He got to sign autographs too,” said Heather, who entered her son as a contestant for the event. In order to be selected for the SuperCross event, Heather had to submit a list of Justin’s motocross accomplishments and provide a copy of his most recent report card to prove that Justin was also on top academically.

“That was a great experience for him,” she noted.

While competing in motocross has required the family to travel across the province, and sometimes south of the border, the sport is a family affair for the Neisers. Andrew, who also races for the Hamilton Steel City Riders’ Club, helps Justin gear up and fine-tunes his son’s bike before each race.

Heather and Rachel, Justin’s older sister, lend a helping hand on the sidelines.

With her son’s passion for the sport, Heather predicts that Justin will continue riding his dirt bike on and off the competitive track.

And, whether or not success follows him into future seasons, “as long as he finishes on two wheels, I don’t care,” Heather said.