An experience of a lifetime, unforgettable, nothing like it. Words and stories you will be saying repeatedly after getting the chance to experience KTM Jr's as a family. It's about that time of year, when the schedule for next season's Supercross is released. Which only means the selection of races for KTM Jr's will soon be released as well. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of kids apply for their chance to race at Supercross. This year, in 2025, my son was selected for the chance to race at Anaheim 2.
Applying
The application process is a lengthy one, gathering all the information and documentation for your child to be considered. Out of all the kids applying, only 150 kids get picked each Supercross season. For 2025, we know a few local kids that applied and only two, my son & his buddy, were picked. Although they both raced in Anaheim, he raced A1 and my son raced A2!
Review the application and gather all information before applying. It will take some time, but deadlines for each track end about a month or so before the race so make sure you have everything you need to apply.
Some things to consider before applying:
- Child must be 7 or 8 years old on the day that they race (birth certificate is required)
- There is a height and weight requirement (proof required from Dr. or Nurse)
- Proof of riding: Technical sections, Starts
- Introduction Video
- AMA Cards for both Rider and Mechanic (adult who will go on the track)
- A full list of Rules to apply for KTM Jr's can be found here.
Tips for applying:
- Read over the application so you know all the information you will need.
- Don't rush it. Take your time to fill out the questions
- Select as many races on the schedule that you are willing to travel to! (remember if it rains, the KTM Jr's will likely get cancelled) We selected 4 and got picked for the second one on our list.
- Be professional in your Introduction Video. If selected your child we be asked to speak in front of a television camera for the big screen!
Yay! You got selected now what?!
About a month before the race, an email will be sent out from the KTM Jr's team to those who get selected. We found out just days before Christmas and decided to surprise our son on Christmas morning! Stoked to be chosen he had about a month before the race to get ready. In the PNW not much riding happens due to the amount of rain we get here. But January was surprisingly dry so he got a few training days on the track.
A1 was just weeks before our long drive down for A2, so I had reached out to some families who were there for any tips/pointers packing for our trip. The KTM Jr's team does a great job of outlining the necessities for the riders as far as gear and equipment, but I also wanted to make sure he had food/snacks throughout the day.
One mom let me know that FLY Racing provided food in their hospitality tent for the riders and their families as well as water. But A1 happened to be super hot & one of the busiest races of the year, so they actually ran out of water/beverages.
Knowing we were driving down I was able to stock us up for the day. Food is provided for lunch, and there are snacks, but mostly chips & cookies. If you are able make sure to pack food or swing by a store when you land. Food I always have on race days include apples, oranges, bananas, beef jerky, nuts, dried mangos, & protein shakes. At least in Anaheim, they let me go back and forth to the van so I was able to bring things in that he needed.
Here are a few things I packed:
Fly Racing Gear Bag // Yeti Rambler Water Bottle // Yeti Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler // Neckfan // Dirt Notes- Race Craft Journal // AlpineStar Boots //
KTM Jr's does gift the riders some amazing gear! New FLY Racing Gear, Jersey, Pants & Gloves, FLY Racing Helmet, 100% Goggles, Chest Protector and OGIO backpack. These were the items in 2025, but I image they change it up a little each season. Bring your own BOOTS! It's suggested you bring your own helmet just in case you do not like the one provided.
Don't forget your Dirt Notes: Race Craft Journal. You will want to captures stories, race goals, moments of the day on paper because it really is an experience of a lifetime!
Let's go RACING!
Your Saturday is jam packed, but in the BEST WAY! The KTM Jr team is exceptional! You get a schedule for the day, time slots of where you will be and what is happening from 7am to the final wave of the checkered flag. They day is long, but embrace every moment! You will walk away from the day with the best experience.
Kids get selected from all over. We had kids travel to California from the East Coast, Canada and Australia! Since we were in Anaheim some of the families also went to Disneyland. We did not, however I will say the ones that did suggested to go after the race. The families that tried to pack the week before the race felt that their kid was pretty exhausted by the time race day came.
The schedule for the day for the Racers included a morning track walk, side by side with the Pros! Team photo under the Finish line jump. Education on gear, track safety and our kids even received words of encouragement from Ryan Dungey! Signing autographs for fans and getting signatures from the KTM Pro's.
Two practices were held, first one to get some site laps in and get comfortable on the track. The over under bridge was brutal for half of the 50's on the track! The second practice was with a gate drop, lined up by racer number, this one was timed to determined gate selection for the final race. I believe it was two 15min practices.
He came off the second practice with the fourth gate pick!
For the Opening Ceremonies the kids got to stand in the famous tunnel at Angels Stadium and hit hands with the Pros as they rode out. Dance for the big screen as they announced the KTM Jr's would race before the LCQ's and the main races. It's was surprisingly cold in Anaheim. A1 was super hot! I remember watching the forecast praying it wouldn't rain until after the KTM Jr race. In past mudders, they cancel the KTM Jr's race due to track conditions. Thankfully it stayed dry until literally after their race and then down poured!
The families of racers have a section in the stands while the racers & mechanics go down to the starting gates. I can't image being 7-8 years old and looking up at the stadium packed full of fans! The gate drops, the fans are screaming and they little guys twist the throttle on their KTM 50cc E5's. Surly hearing the noise from the stadium on the electric bikes. My son was able to hold his position after the first corner and finish the race in 3rd place! As soon as the race is finished the top three get pulled aside, helmets taken off, KTM Jr hat on, bike rolled to the podium and goggles around the neck. The races are live so sticking to the schedule is everything! This was our first time racing outside of our little PNW local tracks so we really didn't know what to expect. With a goal to finish in the top 10, he finished with a podium position! We never practiced a podium speech, but you would have never known as he was the first of the night to interview with Haley Shanley. I love how she asked him which Pro's he looks up to, because he is the kid that will watch old races repetitively studying lines.
We were so proud of him that the kids and I ran out of the stadium back to the pits to give him the biggest hug! Finishing the race the kids and families get to go back to the stadium and watch the final 250 & 450 races. Which in our case we also grabbed our jackets because the rain came and we all got drenched! I remember sitting in the stands, looking over at my son holding on to his 3rd place trophy watching the Pro's race the same track he just finished on.
Since we drove, my son was also gifted the large poster of the track map from Anaheim 2. Due to the size of the poster, if you flew it was too big to take on the plane, and since we drove they gave it to him. Each kid got to leave with their number plate with name from their bike. I'm still blown away by the number of souvenirs gifted to the kids from the weekend.
It was truly an unforgettable experience! If you can, I would definitely apply and select as many races as you can. If you don't get the chance at 7 years old, try again when they are 8. The KTM Jr's and FLY Racing teams really took care of everything. An amazing group of individuals making your kiddos really feel like a pro for the day!
We didn't plan on a podium position but it sure made the 14 hour drive home a little brighter!
* some photos courtesy of Align Media