Full speed ahead for Motocross prodigy

Corey Cardinal might only be 12, but when it comes to motocross, he can give kids four years older a run for their money.

The Crofton native has won the B.C. Motocross Championships three times in his age category, and is heading to the national championships in August.

When his supportive father Mike is asked whether his son is interested in going professional when he’s older, he says they don’t have any future plans.

“We’re in it for the family time, and the self esteem it brings,” he said. “We focus on today, not down the road. It’s up to him whether he goes professional.”

Their carpe diem strategy is working well. Corey raced in the 2008 B.C. Provincial Championships in Port Alberni from July 4 to 6, and walked away with a first place win the 85 CC bike category for 7- to 11-year-olds for the third time.

He also excelled in the three super mini races, where racers up to 16-years-old compete on smaller bikes. Corey came first in two of these races, and second in the other.

His toughest races came the weekend before the provincials at the Western Canada Amateur Motosports Championships in Raymond, Alberta.

He raced from June 26 to 28 at Temple Hill Motorcycle Park in the 85 CC 7-11 category with kids his own age, as well as in the super mini, which was more difficult.

“Everyone who’s anyone in motocross was there,” said Mike.

In his first day during the 85 CC 7-11, Corey drove his bike into a hole and went over his handlebars. He ended up finishing eleventh, but fought back during the next two races to finish fourth overall over three days.

In his supermini races, he finished ninth, which dad Mike calls a huge accomplishment.

“We were very happy with that. If you looked at the top three kids, one was 17,” he said.

“If we didn’t fall into that hole, we could have done a bit better. But I’m very happy and proud,” he said.

On Saturday, Corey raced in the amateur day held at The Wastelands in Nanaimo. He finished first in the 85 C 7-11 race in the morning, and then finished first again in the super mini.

“It was a fun day thing,” said Mike, adding it didn’t carry as much impact as the provincials.

Corey is heading to the Walton TransCan Grand Championship Motocross competition in Ontario on August 12, and Mike said he appreciates the support of the Cowichan community.

“We couldn’t be going without them,” he said.