"It’s All About Me”
Cole Fite
My name is Cole. I am in the seventh grade. I am from Bellingham,
Washington and I am an ATV racer. It all started when I was one. Back
then it was all about Tonka trucks and dirt. By the time I was three, I
was joyriding with my girlfriends in my battery powered, fire engine
red, Jeep Power Wheels. Those were the days. The summer before my
kindergarten year Mom and Dad bought me my first motorcycle, a Suzuki
JR50. After a few run-ins with a couple of trees Mom and Dad traded the
JR in on a Suzuki LT80, because 4 wheels are safer than two, right? Not.
Anyhow, I started racing my LT at the age of six down at the local
track, Hannegan Speedway. There were only three min-quads that year and
we had to run with the non-conforming bikes. Although I didn’t get any
wins, I never took less than third place. Not bad for a beginner.
At the end of the summer I was diagnosed with a bone disease in my left
hip called Perthese Disease. The head of my femur bone had started to
deteriorate. It was very painful at times, but there wasn’t anything
they could do to stop it. We would just have to wait and see how far the
deterioration was going to progress. So life went on.
Still on my LT, at the start of my second year, I was ready to rock and
roll. This year there were about 7 or 8 mini quads racing. Bone stock,
my LT still wasn’t winning me any races but I got a lot of 3rd place
finishes. At least I am consistent. About ¾ of the way through the
season I had my first bad spill on the track. Those stock balloon tires
aren’t really made for BIG air. We took our first trip to the Oregon
Sand Dunes that summer and my LT wouldn’t make it up the hill at South
Jetty. That was the deciding factor for Mom and Dad. It was out with the
LT and in with the 90 Blast (twin of the Kasea). Dad quickly figured out
that stock was not going to cut it, and the modifications began. I ran
with a new pipe and wider wheels and tires and by the last race had a
ported and polished head kit. We went back to the dunes for a try at the
hill. This time I made it.
By November 2003 the doctors decided that it was time for me to have hip
surgery. My disease had progressed to the point where I had lost 90% of
my femoral head. They had to re-configure my pelvic bone in order to
contain what was left of my femoral head. When we asked about racing the
upcoming season, the surgeon said I should take a year off. The surgery
took place in January 2004 at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, WA. My
total rehabilitation would be 3 months. My mom stayed home from work the
whole time to care for me and home school me. I love my mom. After being
in a body cast for seven weeks, I was going stir crazy. Within a week, I
was back on my quad and pain free. I couldn’t walk very well, but I
could ride! Not very fast at first, but at least I could do it. My first
test was a spring trip to the dunes. Mom and Dad bought me a 200 Blaster
for my dunes bike. It was great. I learned how to shift and I didn’t
have to muck up my race quad with sand. Oh, and did I mention, it is
pretty fast too. This trip having been a success, I was determined to
race, despite the surgeons recommendation.
It was a rocky start the first 4 or 5 races. I broke my axle in the
first practice of the first race, got it welded before the first moto
and had my first win!! The second moto was not so great. My chain fell
off 3 times. The chain continued to be an issue for several races. My
Dad made many calls to Hetrick Racing and finally got it figured out.
Suspension was the next hurdle and then gears. About half way through
the season Dad had it all worked out. He was an expert chain fixin’,
gear changin’, motor swapin’ dad. My dad is the best. Now he knows that
you basically need a parts store in your trailer at all times. Thanks
Dad and thanks Hetrick for all of your support and good input.
On June 4, 2004, my 9th birthday, I had my first BIG win. I finally beat
the kid that had been winning every race since the start of the last
year. By this time we had 14 – 17 mini-quads on the line every Thursday
night. My dad had been working with me on strategies and it finally paid
off. It was as if the light bulb just came on. It was pretty much wins
for me, except for a couple of technical problems, the rest of the
Thursday Night Series. By the last race I was tied for first place for
Series points. I won the last race and took the Series Championship.
What a year it was.
I am just now starting my 8th season of racing. In that time I have won
several championships, traveled to many places, had plenty of crashes
and my fair share of good days and not so good days. But, I would not
trade any of the experiences I have had for anything. Each day I have
something new to learn.
I now ride 2 custom-built quads (CR125 & WR250F), an LTR 450 and
debuting in 2008 the, sponsor provided, stock DRR 300. We are constantly
on the road. We have traveled from Washington to Southern California,
Utah , Arizona, Idaho, Montana and will add Nevada to the schedule this
year. We average 40 – 52 races a year between the National and local
events. I have been interviewed for TV shows and had small roles in 2
quad videos. I have a website that is constantly being updated and I get
visitors from all over the world. I get e-mails from many young riders
wanting to know how to get started and what type of equipment to run.
The coolest thing about racing is that I have made so many friends. I
know people from all over the United States. It’s pretty awesome. I owe
so much to my parents for making this a dream come true for me. When I
started I never imagined, and I am sure my parents didn’t either, the
places we would go and the experiences we would have. We are a perfect
family team. The possibilities are endless if, you work hard,, follow
your dreams and have awesome support from friends, family and sponsors.
I am shooting for the very top.
Mom and Dad have taught me a few things that I live and race by (and we
all know that Mom and Dad are always right):
1. Never give up. It’s never too late to make a move until the checkered
flag flies.
2. Ride hard and ride smart.
3. Cheaters are not really winners.
4. Never underestimate the competition. Everyone is a competitor on the
track.
5. Keep the competition on the track. Off the track we are all friends
with a common interest.
6. When things get tough, cowboy up. This isn’t a sport for pansies.
7. Don’t beat yourself up. Learn from your mistakes.
8. Even the best riders have off days.
My other interests include snowboarding, swimming, music and my dogs. I
get good grades at school and I train hard. I love to race and I hope to
ride pro some day.
Cole Fite
