Zach Farrin with the three first-place gold cups he won at the 11th annual Gold Cup New England Classic motocross event. (Photo courtesy Gary Farrin)
Zach Farrin, 15, ran the races of his life last weekend, winning three gold cups at the 11th annual Gold Cup New England Classic motocross event. The races were held on the 600-acre Hemond’s MX and Off-road Park in Minot. Motos one and two were run on the Sawmill MX loop and motos three and four on the Hilltop MX course.
The New England Classic was a four moto, meaning each racer ran the course four times in each division. The best three times were used to determine the winner. After 12 runs in two days, Farrin was crowned gold cup winner in all three classes he ran, the 250 C, the Open C, and the Youth C.
There were 305 competitors at the New England Classic. In his Open C race, Farrin competed against riders in all classes and age groups and against bigger bikes up to 450 C.
Thirty riders line up at the starting gate. When the gate drops, racers accelerate, trying to get out ahead at the first turn. The course includes jumps, mogul-like bumps, and sharp turns on loose dirt. Each lap takes about three minutes.
The course had some “big jumps. He was hitting a jump yesterday that was 120 feet long,” said Zach’s father, Gary. “He went as high as 20 feet in the air on some jumps.”
Farrin’s “first moto was pretty muddy, which made it interesting. At that point it is kind of survival – stay on two wheels and survive,” Gary Farrin added.
“The course in the morning was really nice and smooth,” Zach said of his early runs. A rainstorm spoiled that, however, making it muddy. “I decided to ride the best I can and try to stay on two wheels,” Zach said. “The trail improved throughout the day.”
By Sunday, the course was in much better shape. “That is when I really wanted to go for it and push it. That is when I pushed for the gold,” Farrin said.
“I usually try to come out of the gate first, and try to separate myself and get out front to make it easier for myself. I had some starts like that and had some I had to work for a little bit,” Farrin said of his winning strategy.
“It is hard to pass. You have got to plan ahead, set it up for a few corners, and wait for the right spot to pass,” Farrin added.
On the 120-foot-long jumps, Farrin estimated he was airborne for two to three seconds. “It feels like a lifetime,” he said.
Of racing motocross, Farrin said, “I love it. This is my passion right here. It is a lot of work though.”
Farrin said he plays basketball in the winter to get in shape for motocross. He and his father travel to Lyman once or twice a week to practice on the MX207 course on Route 202.
“You have to practice to be comfortable riding your bike. We like going twice a week (to Lyman), but can’t always. We usually race or practice on the weekends,” Farrin said.
Zach Farrin won three gold cups at the New England Classic on June 24. (Carrie Reynolds photo)
Although Farrin has a room full of trophies, the three gold cups were his first.
After capturing his first gold cups, Farrin was asked if that made him hungry for more. He responded, “oh you know it. I’m ready for more. Hopefully there will be more to come.”
Farrin’s race season runs from late April through October. Not only does he enjoy racing, he loves the camaraderie of racing.
“The motocross community is just a big family. We all help each other out. If someone breaks down, we run parts to each other, and work close together. My best friends I’ve met through motocross,” Farrin said.
Farrin has been racing in motocross since he was 4 years old. He will compete in the Maine State Championships on July 14-16 at MX207 in Lyman. The Maine championship race is billed as the biggest race of the year in New England.
He is the son of Gary and Michelle Farrin, of Round Pond.
Farrin is sponsored by Farrin’s Boat Shop, Pat Farrin & Sons, Jon Poland Plumbing and Heating, Therriault Performance, Colby & Gale, Factory Connections, Alias, Decal Works, and McKenney Builders.
