By Jenn Sheppard

Justin Summers

Age: 12

Milton, FL

"In 2006, Justin Summers had about 3,000 shots of insulin and pricked his finger about 3,700 times. His fingers stay so sore that he can't even open a can of soda. Most people don't realize what he has to go through in order to race at this level. Diabetes affects everything we do and the way we do it. There are many things that he has to endure that affect him every day, but he is strong and very rarely has a "poor pitiful me" attitude. He is only 12 and there are times when he has asked "why me?" But he has never wished it upon anyone else and has always just done what had to be done in order to function as normal as possible. He says that he will never let it stop him from doing what he loves. That's what motivates him to take such good care of himself," Rhonda Summers, Justin's Mom.

FLmx: Justin, I saw that holeshot you just pulled. What's better, getting a huge holeshot like that in front of everybody or winning the moto?

JS: Both, but winning is much better. I hate to lose.

FLmx: How long have you been riding?

JS: About 5 or 6 years.

FLmx: What is your first memory?

JS: My first bike was a PW50. I got fifth my first race. It was pretty cool.

FLmx: What do you like most about Florida?

JS: Mostly the weather. It's always pretty warm even in the winter, so we can ride all year long. Florida also has the best beaches and I live 20 minutes from the Gulf.

FLmx: What do you consider to be your home track?

JS: Our local track closed down a couple of years ago and just re-opened about an hour away, but I have a track at home where I ride and train.

FLmx: How is the Carmichael Mx Kamp working out?

JS: Mrs. Jeannie is awesome. She knows what it takes to get to the next level and there's not anything that I don't like about the way she teaches. The only thing that bites is having to do 40-minute motos before Loretta's. Her camps are hard, but really fun.

FLmx: How has it helped you the most?

JS: The work ethic that I've learned helps the most. With any motocross school or camp, you have to take the things you learn and do them at home or you are wasting your time. The drills I've learned from her have helped me the most on the track.

FLmx: What is going on in your mind when you're out there racing?

JS: I don't really think about anything but racing the track ahead of me. I try to stay focused on the lines and keeping my lap times consistent.

FLmx: How do you get pumped up for a big race?

JS: I usually get one of my friends or my dad to try to get me mad before I go to the line. I ride really well when I'm mad.

FLmx: Who is some of your biggest competition out there?

JS: Probably me.

FLmx: How are you going to overcome that?

JS: I'm going to train way more.

FLmx: How do you train?

JS: Twenty-minute motos. Corner drills. Starts. Cardio.

FLmx: Does having Diabetes affect you racing?

JS: Yes, it does. I have to keep constant watch over my sugar levels and keep them in the right range or I can't ride.

FLmx: What kind of preparations do you have to make?

JS: I have to eat the right foods or my levels get out of control. My training is a little different.

FLmx: Has anybody ever thought you shouldn't race because of it?

JS: No. Actually, after seeing how much I train for motocross, my doctors think that it's good for me. Exercise is the most important part of keeping my diabetes under control.

FLmx: What is one habit that you've had to break?

JS: Picking [bad] lines. I'm still working on that one.

FLmx: Do you have any other talents or hobbies?

JS: I'm pretty good at skim boarding and I like surfing.

FLmx: Who do you look up to as a role model?

JS: Ricky Carmichael and my Dad.

FLmx: What are your goals for the next year?

JS: I look forward to being up top and winning.

FLmx: Any sponsors you would like to thank?

JS: I just want my sponsors to know that I appreciate them all and will work really hard this year. Being the 12 year old in the 12-13 year old class won't be easy. Kawasaki Team Green, EBR Performance, Carmichael MX Kamp, FLY, Oakley, TAG, EVS, FMF, Maxima, Gaerne, Dunlop, Monster Energy, RK, EXCEL, IMS, Works Connection, Motorsport Products, Moto-xreport.com, Ready Filter, Liquid Performance, Wiseco, SFB, Factory Backing, V-Force.