Eli Kay And John Choate: Amateur Motocross Dreams Still Alive And Well In America

Eli Kay smiling after a podium finish at Cycle Ranch

While Villopoto and Barcia were stealing world attention at the Toronto Supercross, amateur racers all over America were tasting their own victory and defeat in front of hardcore local motocross fans and families. Every year, as spring enters the air, the Loretta Lynn area qualifiers ripple across the MX community. Amateur motocross racers prep their bikes and chase their dreams. One such rider is a late bloomer named Eli Kay. Eli Kay is a Team ChronicMX rider and a true representation of the heart and soul of amateur motocross. Eli once again amazed everyone in his performance at Cycle Ranch in Floresville Texas. ”The Ranch” hosted it’s Texas Two Stroke Spring Cup and as expected the unique event was a huge success for both racers and fans alike. Over 30 classes of two strokes raced in celebration of the sweet smell of pre-mix. Four additional classes of  head to head battles between 2 strokes and 4 strokes were included. Eli raced in one of them, choosing to remain on his less powerful Suzuki 250f, in a stacked class of 250 two smokers. He rode hard and took home a 2nd place podium trophy. Amazingly, Eli only just recently began riding … in a sport where many amateur racers typically start at the young age of 4 years old. Eli’s late start isn’t slowing him down, his training with the talented Pro Tyler Livesay, combined with lots of practice and a passion for riding, seems to be providing his competition with a view of his rear wheel. Team Chronic MX salutes Eli’s second place finish at the Spring Cup and will continue to support this well mannered mx’er on his journey to eventually get to the Lorretta Lynn Amateur National Championship.

Meanwhile, on the same day about 2500 Miles east, another newly sponsored Team Chronic MX rider… veteran motocross racer John Choate, was ripping laps at Gary Bailey’s historic motocross playground, Lake Sugar Tree. The weekend event in Axton, Virginia, was one of many important Loretta Lynn area qualifiers attended by riders hoping for a shot to compete in Tennessee later this summer. The weather in Virginia was stormy, and the mud presented an added challenge to most. John Choate, however, is a seasoned veteran of the sport of MX and successfully secured hi entry into the upcoming regionals. Like Eli, John is chasing dreams and goals, and has his heart set on a 2012 Loretta Lynn success story. Choate is actually shooting for a top ten finish in the unbelievably competitive Vet class. Choate knows how to go fast though, and has a tendency to turn heads when practicing at local tracks because of his sheer speed and fluid style. During the motocross boom of the 80′s, Choate was a force in A classes across Florida’s sunshine state. Chronic MX recently joined up with this talented rider, like Eli, in an effort to help him reach the 2012 Loretta Lynn national championships in August. Two different riders, generations apart…yet both champions in their own right, with the kind of heart and soul and passion that defines motocross racing as we know it. Congratulations on success this weekend Eli and John. Stay tuned to Chronic MX as we report on their progress. Cheers, Rocket 88.

Veteran John Choate clearing a 90ft triple on his trusty YZ