Prince George has a triple threat in the dirt.
First Landon Nelson took his spin, then it was Jess Pettis's turn in the winner's circle and now Hayden Wolff has shown that his hometown is a haven when it comes to producing top talent for the Canadian Motosport Racing Corporation. Wolff was named the top rider for the 2012 Team Green Rider Support program last month for motocross riders.
"It's really cool because there's lots of fast riders that I compete against," said Wolff. "It's really good competition."
Nelson and Pettis received the national recognition in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
At 12 years old, Wolff is the youngest rider to win the $3,000 in cash and the 2013 Kawasaki KX 250F. After a quick glance at mom Shelley, Wolff said the money would be used to pay for the entry fees, travel, fuel and bike maintenance of trying to make it out to about 14 races this summer.
In 12 races last season, Wolff collected 591 points and won three championships. A rider earns 100 points for each win. There were about 50-60 riders registered with CMRC during the 2012 racing season.
Wolff's accomplishment is more remarkable considering he missed six weeks and the first three races of the season after suffering a rather socially awkward injury during practice.
"I just came around a corner and my back end swapped and I just dug my finger into the ground," said Wolff. "It was just hanging there. I was crying and it hurt a lot."
Initially the doctor told Wolff they wouldn't be able to repair the damage and he'd lose the tip of his right middle finger, but upon further review the doctor was able to sew up the wound with 13 stitches.
"I would've hated to have one less finger," said Wolff.
The Grade 7 student's injury woes continued earlier this month when he took a spill during a training session for a snow boarding competition at Tabor Mountain and broke his right wrist.
"My goal for this season is to stay smooth and be injury free and go to most of the races," said Wolff. "I don't want to break anything."
An injury-free season is something his mom has crossed her fingers for since Wolff began riding in the 85 cc class four years ago. When the new season revs up Wolff will move up to riding in the Super Mini and Schoolboy classes and likely competing in a few junior races.
"It's stressful because you don't want him to get hurt but he's having so much fun," said Shelley. "You don't want to see your kid get hurt. But he's good. I missed one race last year and it's hard not to know how it's going."
