Motocross inspires Poway 8-year-old in school, life

When Jake VanSant received his brand new KTM motocross bike on his sixth birthday, it was evident he was not like other kids his age. The Poway resident began riding two-wheel bikes at the age of 3, an electric bike at 4 and is now zipping through the track in multiple races at the mere age of 8.

In January, VanSant was selected to race during the Monster Energy Motocross in the Junior Supercross challenge exhibition race, where he was selected with 14 other racers between ages of 7 and 8.

VanSant spent the day being treated like a professional rider where he hung out in his own tent, saw himself on the big screen and even signed autographs. He also received a brand new KTM dirt bike to practice with and all new gear. The experience was all too surreal for VanSant.

“He woke up the next day and asked me if he was dreaming,” recalls Chris VanSant, his father.

Chris, who is retired from the Navy, first began trail riding until recently moving to San Diego. Now riding dirt bikes in the Southern California deserts, he decided to find a way to get the whole family involved. So, he bought 6-year-old Jake a bike to bring him along riding.

After about a month, Jake came across the film “Moto4” on TV. The very first rider they featured was Ryan Dungee, who was sponsored by KTM, the same brand of Jake’s new bike. Jake was instantly hooked.

“He would rewind the part of the show with Ryan Dungee over and over again for about a week straight,” recalled Chris.

The following week, after observing Jakes newfound interest of the sport, Chris took his son to watch the Monster Energy Supercross.

“I didn’t think we would stay for the whole thing, I assumed we would be there for maybe an hour or so,” Chris states. “After a while, I asked him if he was ready to go. Jake said, ‘No, I want to watch Ryan Dungee race.’”

Jake had entered a whole new world of motocross and was evidently taking notes, for when he returned to the track, Jake was riding like he never had before.

“The next day he was flying around the track, leaving me asking ‘Who is this kid!’” remembered Chris. “He was hitting corners, going over jumps and weaving through other kids.”

Soon after, Jake was signed up for his first race, only one month after sitting on his bike for the very first time. Jake had a blast at his first race, and after being entered in his second, he soon began to flourish. His second race he brought home a trophy for third place. His third race resulted in a second-place finish.

“Next thing we know, he’s bringing home trophies that are bigger than him,” Chris said.

Jake’s stellar motocross skills are not the only thing that sets him apart from other kids his age. He struggles with dyslexia and has been undergoing treatment for sensory processing issues since he was 2. Dirt bike riding has been a huge motivational tool for Jake, helping him succeed in school and in life.

“School is his biggest problem,” Chris said. “He notices that he is different from the other students and can get frustrated. He has trouble dealing with it sometimes, but he’s very competitive.”

Struggling with confidence issues, Jake is constantly reminded that he may have trouble with some things, but he excels at others.

“Riding is the one thing that Jake knows that he can do very well,” says Chris. “We tell him that people are better at different things. He’s not very good at school, and we’re working on that, but most kids can’t ride a dirt bike.”

Jake has also been working with a private therapist once a week, along with practicing his reading and speech everyday with his parents and attending summer school to help him get ahead. Since he’s been working with his therapist, his parents have seen phenomenal results with Jake, who is now reading and sounding out words on his own.

“I never thought that I would be putting my 8-year-old on a bike,” said his mother Kristen VanSant. “But it helps him deal with his issues and it’s his passion.”

Sensory issues can be described as an over-responsiveness to sensory stimuli requiring some sort of physical output, making motocross the perfect hobby and a motivation and encouragement for a boy like Jake.

“There’s no more sensory physical output as motorcycle riding,” Chris said. “When Jake gets frustrated, I’ll ask him how he got good at motocross, to which he says, ‘I practiced.’ Then I ask him how he’s going to get better at reading, to which he responds ‘I have to practice.’”

Motocross racing has done a tremendous amount for Jake, also providing great athletes for him to look up to.

“What we love the most is the racers themselves and the kind of role models they set for our kids,” Chris said. “They are great athletes and outstanding people”

So, what does Jake want to do when he grows up?

“I want to be a motocross racer,” he said. “Just like Ryan Dungee.”

Lohr is a freelance writer