Justin Starling jumped into the motocross scene when he was 4 years old. After watching his father race at local tracks, he was hooked. With full-backing from his family, the young Starling won his first Loretta Lynn’s National Title in 2002 in the 50cc (7-8) class. Since then, American Honda has jumped on-board to support the Florida rider with his racing career. Following a fourth overall at Loretta Lynn’s this summer, Starling has decided to step-up to the big bikes. FLMX spoke with the 14 year old after the Dade City round of the Florida Gold Cup to learn about his past, see how the transition to big bikes is going, and see what he has planned for the year ahead.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am from Deland, Florida. I got my first motorcycle when I was four years old. My dad used to ride and did some amateur racing, so I watched him ride and that’s pretty much how I got into racing. After I started racing, my dad quit so he could help me out full-time. 

Does your dad ever ride with you?

No, he just helps me.

How are you feeling better after your heat stroke on Sunday at Dade City?

Pretty good! I still have a little bit of a headache, but I took yesterday off to rest. I am feeling a lot better now.

Tell us what happened.

I had just raced my seven lap moto and only had one race in between to rest before I went out for another five lap race. It was really hot and my suspension was kicking me pretty bad. I think the combination of heat, no rest, and my bike kicking me around just wore me down. 

You rode the Supermini and 85 (12-13) classes at Loretta’s this year right? How did your week go?

Yeah. The Supermini class did not go so well. We had some bike problems in the first two motos, and I fell in the last moto. I went DNF-DNF-15. I did better in my (12-13) class. I finished third my first moto; fell and got fifth in the second moto. In the third moto, I was passing a guy in the Ten Commandments and crashed when he cut over on me. I broke my front brake cable, so I had to ride the whole moto with no front brakes and was able to catch up to eleventh in the moto. I ended up fourth in the class, so I was pretty happy with that. 

At the Gold Cups, I’ve seen you running number 1 and 12? Where did you get your number from and why do you run different numbers?

The number 12 bike is mine, and the number 1 bike is Jessica Patterson’s. We did not want to take the number 1 plates off because it is pretty cool running number 1. Number 12 is my regular number.  

What are some of your career highlights?

I won the 50cc (7-8) class at Loretta’s in 2002, and I finished fourth this year at Loretta’s in the 85 (12-13) class.

How has your transition to the big bikes been?

It is going pretty well. I am still learning how to ride the bigger bikes and ride with the bigger guys. I am working every day on improving myself on the bigger bikes, so I can have a good career racing motocross.

Do you go to school or do homeschooling?

I do homeschooling. I would not be able to ride at my track if I went to school because I am only allowed to ride from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. due to my neighbors. There is a subdivision across the street from my house and the neighbors complain if I ride when they are home. 

What grade are you in?

I am in 10th grade. 

Who do you ride with?

I ride with Matt Goerke quite a bit. Now that I am on big bikes, I’m going to start riding at Stewart’s house a little more.  

Other than riding, what do you do to train?

I ride my bicycle a lot. 

Since you are only 14, who takes you practicing?

My mom usually takes me riding. My dad takes me every now-and-then if he does not have to work.

Does your father own his own business?

Yeah. He owns a drywall company and my mom helps works with him.

I heard your family was on the ABC show “Wife Swap.” How was that?

Yeah, we were on that show. The lady came to live at our house. She hated motocross, so obviously she was completely opposite from our family. Needless to say, we did not get along very well. 

What races are you going to ride this year?

We are going to finish the Gold Cup Series. Then, we are going to race the Mini Olympics, Winter Am’s, Lake Whitney, Oak Hill, Las Vegas, Ponca City and Loretta Lynn’s. I am going to race the local races in between, so I can race with the bigger guys and keep my speed up.

Who works on your bikes?

My dad does all the work. I work on my practice bikes a little but my dad is my full-time mechanic. 

What goals have you set for yourself this year and for your future in racing?

My main goal is to finish top five at all the nationals this year. A championship would be awesome but it is going to be tough being the young guy in the 250f class. 

What classes are you going to run at the nationals?

Maybe the Supermini, MX Lites B Stock and Mod, Schoolboy (12-15), and Four Stroke (14-16).

Who would you like to thank?

American Honda, Thor, Maxima, Alpinestars, SixSixOne, Spy, CTI, Ogio, and my family for helping me with everything.

Right on, good luck at Waldo this weekend!

Thanks.