Held in Gunnedah on August 6 and 7, the 13-year-old also managed a fourth in the 150cc big wheel and fifth for the 150cc small wheel race. 

Kruse first stepped into the world of motor cycle racing when many his age were learning to ride push bikes. 

Starting from riding down by the river, the transition into dirt bike racing was natural for him.

His father, Matt, took him to a race meeting when he was seven where he was hooked from the very beginning. His experience, drive and professionalism in the sport are uncommon qualities in a 13 year-old, but have served him well.

Kruse said the recent titles were one to remember.

“The gates dropped at the grid and I started and was in second,” he said. “There was a big crash and they red flagged it.”

After reloading the grid after the crash, officials restarted the race.

“On the ready run, I missed the start and was 12^th out of the gate,” Kruse said.

“I was fifth into the corner.” Pushing on through the turns Kruse continued to gain ground.

“I caught up to second and was going for first,” he said.

“I was gaining on him, but he was just that little bit too much and I couldn’t get him. If I’d have had a good start, I’d have had a good chance.”

The competition is fierce, with the best in Australia all vying for for first place.

The variations in bike tuning can give riders the edge they need to pull ahead of the pack and win races. The bikes are getting better and better, people are finding better things to do to the bikes to get them to go faster and faster,” Kruse said.

“It’s never ending. You can have a bike 20 metres behind you in one meeting that can be 20 metres ahead of you at the next meeting.”

The competition is something Kruse takes in stride, enjoying the camaraderie between racers and the challenge of the sport.

He said it was something he hoped to continue for many years.

“I like riding the bike and having fun,” Kruse said. “Catching up with your mates, there’s a group of us from Temora, Griffith and we meet up and travel together.”