SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Rocky Gibbs is the proud holder of a national title after winning his age group at the Mini Motorcross Nationals at New Plymouth last weekend.

With five races over two days, Rocky earned an impressive slew of results in the 6–8-year-old KTM50 class, picking up two wins, two second placings and one fifth.

He sped his bright orange KTM50 through sun, rain and mud, with the weather seeming to offer every racing condition possible over the weekend.

He said his favourite part of motorcross was flying over the “big jumps”.

When asked if he was scared, he shook his head.

“I’d already done them in the practice. It’s fun and I love going fast,” he said.

Mum Maddy Gibbs, however, said watching Rocky make massive jumps was “pretty scary”.

“I get lots of anxiety.  I know he has it under control, but you forget how young they are. They are very capable, but it’s still very scary to watch,” she said.

The Gibbs live rurally at Onepu but motocross is not a sport than has been in the family, until now.

“Neither me nor his dad had anything to do with motorcross before they (Rocky and sister Skylah) mentioned it,” she said.

Rocky received his first bike on his third birthday after displaying an intense fixation with motorbikes. He has been competing since he was four-and-a-half.

His bike number is 27, the date of his birthday.

The family his prepared to back him and Skylah, who also competes, for as long as they want to do the sport.

Rocky will soon be going even faster, upgrading to a to a KMT65 to compete in the 7–8-year-olds KMT65 class at next year’s nationals.

Looking further into the future, he has grand Pro Super-Cross aspirations, following in the tracks of Eli Tomac.

“Because he’s one of the fastest riders in the world,” Rocky said.

His other motorcross heroes include Jett Lawrence and Chase Sexton.

Rocky was one of four Bay of Plenty bikers competing in the mini motorcross nationals, racing alongside his older sister Skylah, Jacob Jones who took on the 7-8 KTM65s, and Isabella Jones who competed on the 4-7 trail.

His next race is at Labour Weekend at the MX Festival in Taupō.

Mrs Gibbs recommends the Bay of Plenty Mini Motorcross club which has practice sessions at Awakaponga throughout the season.

She said the club was perfect for families with children wanting to try their hand at the sport.

“Lots of people think that motorcross is scary or dangerous, and it can be, but making sure they have the right gear and practice days, it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Rocky’s favourite track is Patetonga in the Waikato.

“We’re travelling around the countryside most weekends; we’ve made lots of friends with other families and are able to travel with them.”