12-year-old speedster Jack Boatwright wins state motorcycle title

JACK Boatwright is a state motorcycling champion at the age of just 12 and it may be because he likes to defy what it’s meant to be a Minikhana rider.

Twelve-year-old Jack Boatwright has taken out a state title on his mini bike. Picture: Justin Sanson

• Di Bartolo’s back in form
• Basketball star backs her sport
• Mike Baird’s dog day afternoon

JACK Boatwright is a state motorcycling champion and it may be because he likes to defy what it’s meant to be a Minikhana rider.

The Castlereagh resident was too good for his rival A Grade 65cc riders at the recent Motorcycling NSW State Championships at Gwandalan on the Central Coast.

According to Motorcycling NSW the “express purpose of Minikhana motorcycling is the development of riding skills and techniques for junior competitors by providing organised competition, where skill, rather than speed, is the determining factor”.

And while Boatwright has the skills, he prefers to combine it with speed.

Jack Boatwright.

“I like going fast and I want to win another state title next year,” he said.

“I started riding a few years ago and the best thing about riding is doing jumps. I like to get as high as I can over the jumps.

“When I was younger I used to ride at a property and I like it so I kept on doing it.”

It was the second state title for the 12-year-old, who also took out the 2013 event.

Next year he’ll step up to riding 85cc bikes and the bid for another state crown will be made easier for the Penrith PCYC Minibike Club rider when the 2017 championships are raced on his home track.

Jack Boatwright won a state title on his mini bike.

“One day I’d like to get into motocross or endurance riding. I like them the most at the moment,” he said.

“I don’t have a favourite rider at the moment. I’m just enjoying watching them all.”

Meanwhile, the club is losing its association with the PCYC from January 1, and will be known as the Penrith Minibike Club.