May 13, 2024

Hayden Gonzales

Bike: Cobra Sr FWE 50cc - chromed out muffler bearings and fuel injected breaklines

1. When did you first become interested in riding dirt bikes? What or who influenced your involvement?

When I was 2 or 3 at my cousin Finn's property in Arizona. I would see him and his friends riding and I wanted to be like him. My cousin Finn, Eli Tomac, and Haiden Deegan all influenced me.

2. When did you begin participating? How has your involvement evolved?

I started racing when I was 4 and did all the MRAN races (desert) that year i was awarded the Dave Dunn Em All award for racing all races that year.

3. What do you love most about racing dirt bikes?

I love that I get to have fun and hang out with my family. We get to travel as a family and camp at every race.

4. If you had to describe riding in 5 words or less, how would you describe it?

Fast, intense and HAVE FUN!

5. What is it about racing dirt bikes that is most exciting to you? Competition? Risk? Innovation? Other?

Definitely JUMPS!

6. If you didn’t compete what else would you be doing?

I like playing sports (football), I like hanging out with my friends and going on trips with my family.

7. What are your short and long term goals? What do you see yourself achieving?

Short Term Goal = this year get podium at all my races and end the year in top 3 for 50cc Novice. Long term Goals = Learning how to shift so I can move up to a 65cc. I plan on doing this by getting as much seat time as possible

8. How do you prepare or set yourself up for success? What do you do that is above and beyond?

I try my best, finish the race and think of Tomac. This is my deepest darkest secret, I sing about Tomac while I race.

9. What is something people would never guess or believe about you?

That i can jump dirt bikes and I got first - first place in the second round of Worcs this year.

10. What are the greatest obstacles you face? How do you overcome them?

My cautious personality and rocky sandy courses. I overcome them by PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Luckily my backyard is the desert so there is a bunch of soft / rocky sand.

11. Have you faced critics and naysayers? How do you handle the negativity?

Yes, I tell my mom and then push myself to race hard.

12. What are your greatest successes?

I am 7 and have done over 25 races. Every race I have signed up for I have finished. I have won the MRAN Dave Done Em All trophy 2 times. This year I got my first podium in my first MRAN race of the season and first WORCS race of the season.