This year the 14-year-old has won the Cowra Club Championships, Sydney Club championship, was second in Canberra’s Championship, and ‘most improved’ over the weekend at the NSW Championships.

He has been racing motorcycles for the past four years.

He started out racing at Appin on his kx65; after two race meetings he progressed to a kx85 in motocross.

His family moved to Goulburn just on four years ago. They had heard about the racing club in Canberra, which has motocross and dirt flat tracks available.

Michael’s mother, Jo West, said that, one practice day at the motocross track, Michael had a go on the dirt flat track and was hooked immediately.

He soon entered a flat track meeting and his love for the sport grew.

“Michael only had his new yz250f for three months and had been to one race meeting and a few practice days,” Mrs West said.

“He had just turned 14 years old. Previously he was racing a 2004 cr125 in the Canberra dirt flat track championship and finished  fourth.

“In April this year Michael and his father were at a practice day at Nepean Dirt Track when Adam Constable of ACM Racing Engines, a man they had met a few times before, came over and asked if Mick would like to be part of his race team.

“We jumped at the chance to be involved with Adam as he is a very decorated rider himself; winning multiple Australian championships. He is a top engine builder, too.

“Since Michael has been under the care and tutelage of Adam, he has improved beyond our hopes.

“Adam has been helpful in all areas from diet and training to race day preparation, for the rider and his bike.”

Michael, a Year 8 student at Mulwaree High School, is in the school’s sports academy, which provides fitness training and gym facilities before and after school, advice on nutrition and public speaking skills.

This weekend Michael and his family will hook up the horse trailer complete with bunk beds and cooking facilities to drive to Griffith for a flat track meeting under lights, then to Cowra on Sunday for more racing.

Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.