LEETON could have a future Casey Stoner on its hands with one junior rider successfully focusing on dirt track racing.
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Kruse Brady, 9, last weekend raced at the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championship in Taree, finishing third overall in the seven to under nine years 65cc class.
Dirt track racing is held on a flat, dirt surface on a winding track.
Kruse had consistent returns at Taree, recording three thirds, a fourth and a fifth over the five rounds to put him in third place.
It was his first time at an Australian titles and the first time he had ridden the track, which was a hard packed, oil-based surface.
"It was the best we've seen him ride," said his father Matt Brady.
"He only got six laps and then into racing."
Kruse could ride a motorbike before he could ride a bicycle and has been racing in different disciplines for four years, including dirt tracking for two.
"I just looked at it on the calendar and wanted to give it a go," Kruse said.
"I just like going fast."
He competes in the regional Golden Wheels dirt track competition, as well as the Wanabrook motocross and Leaping Log enduro series.
Kruse has previously won Leaping Log and Wanabrook in the seven to under nine years 65cc class, as well as the Kings and Queens dirt track event in Canberra earlier this year.
While the young Leeton Motorcycle Club member looks up to American motocross rider Hunter Anderson, who has offered the youngster advice, he also learned to listen to others at Taree.
"I learned one thing - listen to Dad," Kruse said.
"In the last race I got a third. I got a few thirds, but in all the others I didn't listen, until the third one."
Brady said the club was more than happy to support Kruse.
"People are willing to help out," he said. "There is a lot to learn about dirt tracking, bike set-up plays a big part.
"I think his attitude to riding has changed in the last few months, after the coaching school. He's gone forward in leaps and bounds."
Kruse is preparing to step up to a bigger capacity, 85cc bike, but his next immediate challenge is LMC's round of the Leaping Log enduro on Sunday, before the Victorian state dirt track titles at Wodonga, followed by the Australian junior long track titles at Newcastle.
