The need for speed: Austin motocross driver lives life in the fast lane

Published 9:37 pm Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Getting on a bike, going full speed into a dirt hill is not what everybody thinks about when they’re looking for a good time.

But for some, it’s a dream come true — especially when that dirt track is full of other bikes all trying to finish the fastest.

Cody Crowley, an 18-year old who graduated from Austin High School this past spring, is one of those people.

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He started motocross racing when he was six years old and hasn’t looked back.

“I’ve always had a love for the sport. There’s not a coach and it’s my own thing on my own time,” he said. “I broke myself in. It wasn’t too easy when I first started, but I wasn’t out of control either.”

On Tuesday night, Crowley was at the Mower County Fair, racing in the Motokazie Supercross Series. He won his Division in the Lites C SX. He led throughout the race, but lost his lead on the last lap after slowing down for an injured driver. He passed two other bikes down the home stretch to finish strong.

“I thought they were stopping the race and two guys passed me. I had to turn it on to catch them,” he said. “It was a little frustrating.”

The finish was a quality won for Crowely, who always aims for excellence.

“I always try to aim for top five at least,” Crowley said. “It’s exciting and I love to do it. It takes my mind off everything and it’s a good way to let my anger out and have a good time.”

While racing is a fun for Crowley, who races five to 10 times per summer, it is also a very expensive one. His parents have helped him in funding, and he also works at G & R truck wash to save up some racing cash.

“Now I’m starting to get older, I’ll have to pay for some of that stuff on my own. It’s expensive to say the least,” he said.

On nights like Tuesday, the money is worth it, as Crowley got to race in front of plenty of familiar faces in his hometown.

“It’s better than going somewhere else and racing. It’s nice knowing that there’s people you know and family watching you,” he said. “It’s all good.”

While wrecks are always part of bike racing — Crowley had a tough fall last week in Blue Earth that knocked him out of competition — he’s found a steady approach pays off best.

“Keeping my cool is about the only way to do it,” he said. “Sometimes people get hot-headed and do something stupid, but there’s really nothing you can do about it. Everyone’s in charge of themselves.”

At just 18, Crowley’s best days on the race track may still be ahead of him. Instead of looking back on big wins, he’s more focused on improving every summer.

“Just getting better and faster is my biggest accomplishment,” he said.