TARBORO —
A dream that came true for 15-year old Robbie Anderson will become reality when he hits the dirt tracks at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Monday.
Anderson qualified to race in the 2012 Red Bull Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch after finishing as one of the top 42 riders in his motocross classifications.
"Being one of the top racers makes me feel good about all of my hard work I have put in," Anderson said. "I work extremely hard each day to make myself better. I go out and work on my jumps and things like that."
Anderson qualified in Pell City, Ala. in the Southeast Regionals when he finished third in the 250 C Modified class and sixth in the 250 C Stock class on a new 2012 Honda CRF 250 R that his grandparents Don and Ruby Anderson helped him purchase.
Anderson finally made it to the big show after trying to reach that pinnacle for the last few years, but always just came up a little short. Now he has the opportunity to show what he is really made of.
"I am excited to be able to get a chance to race at Loretta's," Anderson said. "I have tried for so long to get there and have finally accomplished my goal to race with the elite."
Anderson knows he has his work cut out for him, because he will be riding against the best riders in the nation. He hasn't underachieved or cut himself short though, because he has set his goals and the bar is set very high in his eyes. Anderson wants to make it to the podium, which means he will have to finish in the top three in each of his classifications.
"If I make it up on the podium I know I have succeed," Robbie said. "If I don't make it on the podium in the top 3 then I want to at least finish in the top of my class. Not finishing on the podium won't be so bad, but that is where I have set my goal to be."
Robbie's first race will be Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. when he takes the track and races in the 250 C Modified race and then he will race again at 5 p.m. in the 250 C Stock.
Robbie will be able to be followed online at www.mxsports.com to show where he finished in each race and what his times each race are. Being able to follow all the riders have been made possible, because the race coordinators have put together special transponders to show lap times and positioning during each race in the week long event.
The journey to get to Loretta Lynn's Ranch hasn't been easy for Anderson and his father. The father and son combination had to raise over $2,000 to make this dream become a reality and without the help of local businesses, family and friends it wouldn't have happened. Seven local businesses in the community that helped by chipping in to make Anderson's dream come true.
Anderson and his father want to thank Henderson Lumber Company, Norris Tire and Auto, Nichols Auto, Boyd's Service Station, Suburban Grill, Twin County Motorsports and Sunrise Grill for contributing funds to help out.
The money that was raised had to be used to pay for racing fees, track fees, travel expenses, motel rooms and food.
Sports
Related Photos
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Robbie Anderson is embarking on a dream of a lifetime at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Photo/Van Holland
Anderson ready for challenge
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Baseball
Little Tarheel League
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