Motocross rider Braeden Coburn is blazing trails in Vancouver Island Motocross Association (VIMX) racing, having qualified for the national finals.
The 16-year-old from Powell River, in his third year of motorcross, has been tearing up the courses in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Port Hardy and Campbell River, mostly in 125cc classes.
In BC, there are two motocross organizations, VIMX and Future West Moto, which are on the mainland, and there are three races run by each organization, called area national qualifiers, where the top four finishers in their respective classes go to the Western Canadian qualifiers. The fastest 20 qualify for the nationals in Walton, Ontario.
The top racer from VIMX and Future West go straight to the nationals in Walton, and Braeden has qualified, finishing first in the schoolboy 125cc under-18 class in VIMX.
Braeden’s father Jeff said it is a prestigious accomplishment to skip past the whole Western Canadian qualifiers and get a ticket to Walton.
“As a racing family, the decision was to not make the three-week-long round trip and participate, for a number of reasons,” said Jeff. “We, as a family, feel we aren’t ready for a trip like that quite yet, but it is our goal next year, if the opportunity arises.”
Braeden said competing at the national level with the top 39 young riders in Canada is a dream, but he felt it was almost too much, too fast.
“After multiple broken bones from rushing things in this sport, letting it come over time is the safer, more mature route,” said Jeff. “Braeden has progressed extremely quickly this spring and to be blatantly honest, we, as parents, didn’t expect those results, and we weren’t prepared.”
Braeden said he has been winning lots of races this season and he is doing much better than he has in previous seasons.
“I’ve never finished a whole year before,” said Braeden. “Hopefully, this is my year to do it.”
In past seasons, Braeden broke his tibia and fibula in his left leg and spent time in a full-leg cast. The year before, he broke four toes on his right foot. He said he has also knocked himself out a couple of times, suffering concussions. However, he has recovered from his injuries and is excelling on the track.
“I believe I have had five firsts and basically podiums after that, so seconds and thirds,” said Braeden. “At the end of the year, you get big championship trophies.
“In my schoolboy class, I’m first overall, so if I don’t get hurt or anything, and I stay on my two wheels, hopefully, I can get that. In my junior class, I could get second or third overall.”
Braeden said the motocross season runs until October, and he has five more races. He would also like to try the track in Agassiz, which is a Future West course.
“I want to try a different track because I have ridden the Vancouver Island ones a lot,” said Braeden.
He said he is attracted to motocross because of the thrill of it.
“It’s just fun to me,” said Braeden. “I like jumping high, going very fast, and taking the corners at speed.”
To maintain his top form, Braeden said he likes to practice. He has a course locally that he uses, and sometimes, he goes to Vancouver Island to stay sharp.
“I just want to better myself,” said Braeden. “I want to be able to race in places against faster kids. I can learn from them and try to catch up to them.
“This is something that I want to do for a long time. I will race for as long as I can.”
Braeden said he has received outstanding support from this family, “which has been awesome.”
“I’m very thankful about that,” said Braeden. “I just want to thank all of them for helping me.”
Braeden is not the only racer in his family. His younger brother Pearson is also a racer in VIMX, in the new kid beginner class, and is first in championship points.
Braeden said he likes to race two stroke motorcycles in motocross.
“The 125 two stroke is way better than the four strokes because they are way lighter,” said Braeden. “They don’t have all the electronics and everything, so you can throw the two stroke around more. I’ve basically ridden two strokes my whole career, so I’m used to them.
“Four strokes have more bottom end, so you can go in a lower gear and get more power and torque. In the two strokes, you have to have an open throttle most of the time. You have to be on the throttle and clutch more.”
His main 125 is getting rebuilt for the second half of the racing season.
Braeden said he competes on different types of courses in VIMX, such as sand, hard-packed surfaces and on wood chips, which is like bark mulch. While he likes them all, sand is similar to the practice pit he has in Powell River. Campbell River’s motocross course is the one he likes because it’s similar to what he runs his bike on here.
Braeden said he is pleased with his performance this year.
“I’m kind of surprised, actually,” said Braeden.
Jeff said he and Braeden’s mother had suggested Braeden stop, but this is his passion, his dedication, and his love of the sport, which is neat to be a part of.
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