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Cooper Wilson corners hard in a motocross race. Wilson won his state division last year and will be back to defend his title this year. Photo courtesy of Lisa (Wilson) Wahlers
When the starting gate drops, it drops backward, still, but for a moment’s hesitation, adrenaline pumping, Cooper Wilson guns his 250cc motorcycle and blasts out of the gate, racing four furious laps around a hilly dirt track with one thing in mind. He wants to win.
And this past season, Cooper Wilson, age 15, did just that. After a dozen or so races, Cooper claimed the District 23 American Motorcycle Association (AMA) motocross open class championship.
Races are held across the state, said his father, Lance (Boomer) Wilson. “It takes everything we have to get him to the races. We aren’t a rich family. But I will say one thing about my son, he’s very appreciative, humble, and he’s happy that he gets the opportunity to race.”
District 23 covers the state of Minnesota, and about 300 riders compete in the 250cc open class.
Races usually last about ten heart-pounding minutes. Courses feature jumps, tight turns, and fast straightaways. Fields of about 20 compete against each other, and said, Boomer, the competition can be fierce. “But Cooper doesn’t mind banging handlebars against his fellow racers. There’s a lot of passing involved, some bumping. It’s part of the sport. And while Cooper might be a quiet kid, he’s very competitive. He really doesn’t like to finish second.”
Cooper wasn’t on anybody’s radar when he started competing last spring, coming from Grand Marais, where there isn’t a place to train. Sure, he had been on the circuit the two previous seasons, but he broke his femur in 2020, which ended his run, and the year before, at age 13, he was just learning the ropes. This last year Boomer said the family purchased a 250cc Husqvarna motorcycle for Cooper. After a short period adjusting to the speedy new bike, Cooper, was off to the races and good luck catching him.
Speaking about the 250cc Husqvarna motorcycle, “It’s a wonderful machine,” said Boomer, who has done his fair share of racing motorcycles in the past.
When did Cooper first start riding motorcycles?
Cooper first started riding a Honda 50cc equipped with training wheels when he was three. “Yeah, I got him started early,” Boomer laughed. “Cooper has always loved to ride motorcycles.”
While there isn’t a race track or practice facility in the county, Cooper is lucky to live close to the skate park. There, he rides his bicycle, scooter, skateboards, all for fun and to gain balance and fitness. And make no mistake, motocross riders must be very fit, strong, and have great reflexes and balance to perform well.
“Cooper also plays hockey in the men’s league. He loves to play hockey, which helps him as well,” said his father.
On the race track, everyone wants to win, but off the track, when the kids aren’t racing, they become friends. “Cooper has made a lot of new friends whose interests are much the same as his,” said Boomer. “They (friends) communicate with Cooper year-round. They play video games together, talk, stay in touch. It’s been a real positive for him.”
Cooper will ride one more year in the 250cc open class and then move up to the next class. At the highest level, racers compete on 450cc bikes in the open category or race 500cc old vintage bikes, said Boomer.
The 2022 season isn’t far off. Races start late March, early April. But, one thing for sure, this time around, the quiet kid from Grand Marais will be on the starting line, no longer an unknown. Cooper will be the kid everyone hopes to beat, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.
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