Justin Williamson Back to WER
and on a mission!

, 3/3/09 -

 Justin's Extensive Bio
One of my proudest and most unique facts about my racing career is that I managed to go 12 years of riding, and about 320 races before my first serious injury. And if that's not unique enough, I also experienced my first DNF on that very same day, in October of 2006. We've come very close a few times, but it took that long to catch up with me. Admittedly, it was my bad judgment that caused it. Hopefully, I can go the rest of my career without another incident--it's one of my goals!

I'm very fortunate, but I will not call it luck, and I won't take all the credit. There are two very important factors working together. One of them is my Uncle's perfectionism regarding bike preparation, his extreme sense of safety, and his protective gear ideas. He spent a lot of time coaching me on how to protect my bike and myself, while riding very aggressively; and we modified and improved virtually every piece of protective gear I wear. For years he made me wear that big, bulky, ugly stuff. Now I believe in it, and I wear it proudly.

The other factor is what I call the "95% rule." Our theory: if you practice and race at only 95% of your speed, it's almost impossible to make a serious mistake. And after analyzing off-road racing, we realized that the endurance factor is so great, it seems humanly impossible to ride faster then 95% for very long anyway. I decided to not ever take the risk of riding "over my head." I may have lost a few places here and there, but it's been a lot less painful, and my parent's medical bills have been minimal. I know my progress has been much faster than if injuries were involved; I've practiced virtually everyday for years. And nobody looks forward to the boredom of recovery and rehab.


I'm fortunate that so many friends, family and sponsors believe in me and support me. I've raced almost every weekend for over 6 years, and practiced and trained everyday, rain or shine. It all seems to be coming together. In 2005, I finished 4th at the Red Bull "Last Man Standing"-- the toughest race in the US, got 6th overall in the NC GNCC, 8th at Loretta Lynn's GNCC, and a bunch of top fifteen's. That consistency earned me the National #12 for the 2006 season. I also earned the National #7 in the AMA National Harescramble series. In the OMA National Series, I won the 7th and 9th rounds, made the podium 6 times, and earned the National #2. I Also qualified for the ISDE that year. Yet, one of my proudest racing moment came that summer when Barry Hawk caught up to me late in an AMA National, and I was able to dig deep enough to stay with 2004 GNCC Champ for over a half hour. I was feeling "on top of the world". After the race, when he said to me, "You were riding good today, I couldn't gain on you in that tight gnarly stuff," my pride went to an all time high! Coming from the only guy that can run with Juha, that's the best compliment I ever got. Respect from my colleagues, many of which are my racing heroes, is very important to me.


The most surprising development of my career is the success of my WilliamsonRacing.com website. At first we just thought it would be kind of cool. But soon we realized, even though it's a lot of work, it's an excellent tool to keep my sponsors informed and help them with advertising. It's also a great way to keep friends, family and fans informed and entertained. And most important, it's turning out to be a way to start giving back to the sport that has been so good to me. Because we've learned so much in my short career, we figured our knowledge may be valuable to others. And I enjoy helping people. But our biggest surprise is that the website has grown so rapidly. Now I'm extremely excited about it, and extremely busy. I work on it every minute that I'm not riding, training or working with my sponsors; probably about 2 hours a day. And I barely have time to answer all my E-mail's. Everyone says it's a great problem to have; sometimes I agree.


One of the greatest things about being a pro racer, is having the opportunity to help out some of the younger people getting into the sport. I remember what it felt like when I was a kid and the pros paid attention to me. I'm also starting to realize how important it is to set good examples for the younger riders. I've been lucky enough to work with some of the kids on their riding, and it's great to see them improve. As role models for the kids, I believe we have a responsibility to "do the right thing." So I'm determined to set a good example for them. Hopefully for next couple of decades.

As a matter of fact, the most exciting and rewarding development in our program was our "Justin And Friends" racing seminars. Because we attended so many competitions, many race promoters we're happy to schedule a few hours on the weekend, for me and some of the local Pros to work with the kids. They were designed to motivate, educate, and entertain the kids. I'm hoping to do do more in the future; it's a great to help others experience our great sport.

So how did an easygoing kid from a suburban Florida neighborhood, with a little extra baby fat, and Nintendo-savvy friends, become a professional motorcycle racer?

I was a lucky kid! I had two great parents, a big brother, wonderful Grandparents, and a really fun uncle that spent a lot of time with us. I had an easy childhood at my home in the Orlando suburb of Sanford, Florida. Most of the time I played video games and rode bicycles and skateboards with my friends. I did a little tennis, baseball, and soccer with my Dad and my Uncle, but I never got too excited about it. I did however love riding the twenty-year-old, ragged-out dirt bikes with Dad and Uncle Chris up on my Grandparents farm in upstate New York each summer. It would be many years before I learned that my Uncle had once been a very talented expert motocross racer; and my Dad was pretty good too.

I was a very easygoing, laid-back kid; and maybe not as ambitious as some. When I was about ten, I was a little chubby. My Dad and Uncle knew the answer to that problem from their years of experience racing motorcycles back in the 70's. My parents got me an old ragged out KDX 200, and Uncle Chris taught me a lot about fixing bikes. In no time, I lost all my extra weight. I was kind of surprised at how much sweating you can do while having so much fun slamming Florida sand whoops.


My parents bought whatever parts and equipment I needed for riding--as long as I kept doing what was expected of me. You all know what I mean: good grades, do my own bike work and clean-up, feed the dog--all that stuff. Uncle Chris made a deal with me; he would work on my bike, any time, as long as I was right there working with him. That's what taught me to be a good mechanic. It worked out good, because the work got done quick, and we were back out riding again. He also said if I ever become a Pro racer he'll do all my mechanical work. I'm sure he had no idea how soon he would fulfill that promise, and just how much work it would be. Now I'm getting a little rusty. With training, practicing, website work, and sponsor promotions activities, I barely have enough time to sleep, let alone work on bikes. Besides, with Uncle Chris prepping my bikes, they've never let me down.


It wasn't long before Uncle Chris, Dad and I were riding trails together. They bought KDX's of their own so they could supervise my riding. When our friends asked us to come race a harescramble event, we thought it sounded like a lot of fun. It was my first race--and almost my last! As fate would have it, my first race ever was one of the toughest; coincidentally, it was the only race in Florida held at an abandoned quarry, with steep, clayish muddy hills. It downpoured for the entire race. I struggled because I was only 11, 120lbs, about 5'2'', and not in great shape yet. The hills were treacherous and the mud was pure agonizing work. I hadn't ridden in mud much, and I just didn't have an open mind about how much fun mud riding can be. I had all but decided that racing was not for me, if only my Dad and Uncle weren't so extremely proud of me for not quitting. I was hooked! We didn't miss an FTR race after that, rain or shine. We spent two years having fun in the "C" class. Uncle Chris and I spent my entire summer vacations each year in upstate New York working hard on the farm, and most important, learning how to ride the northern terrain.


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