He's only had P-plates for six months and he isn't even legally allowed to ride a road bike, but that hasn't stopped Tye Simmonds from charging to fourth in the Australasian Supercross Championship.
The 17-year-old is eyeing off a podium finish in the series this season and hopes to claw back ground on the top three at Canberra Stadium tomorrow night.
What he gives away in age and experience, he makes up for in raw ability. Growing up in Bourke in western NSW meant Simmonds and his father Greg had to drive up to 20 hours each weekend to pursue the sport. He started riding aged seven and by the time he turned 13, Simmonds was successful in the 85cc, 125cc and 250cc classes, sometimes contesting nine races on the same weekend.
''It was tough at the time ... but it was fun just me and Dad cruising around. It's a father-son thing and it's one of the best ways to grow up,'' Simmonds said.
''It was definitely well worth it, worth all those hours. We've got a ride now so we don't have to worry about paying for much stuff, all I have to do is bring my A-game and turn up and ride.''
The last two years have been particularly productive for the teenager, who turned professional on his 16th birthday. At the start of last year he graduated to the under-19s Australian Outdoor Motocross Championship, which he won in convincing fashion.
He then negotiated his way through last year's Pro Lite 250cc Australasian series, finishing second, and this season entered into the 450cc open class.
Here he's finally found a challenge.
''As a junior... you'd get to the races and you already knew that you were going to win, it was that easy.
''You get to the weekend now with the pros and you've got to work your butt off, you can't go out and cruise around any more.''
Simmonds is 11 points adrift of third-placed Jay Marmont heading into tomorrow's fourth round, and 17 behind overall leader Dan Reardon. His best result of the season came two weeks ago when he finished third in Geelong.
The youngster hoped a successful championship would create a launching pad to pursue the sport in the United States.
''Everything in America's bigger ... in supercross that's the place to be.''
TOMORROW
Australian Supercross Championship round 4: Canberra Stadium, 6.30pm. TV Time: Live on Fox Sports1 from 7.30pm. Tickets available from www.superx.com.au
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