South Hedland boy selected for Yamaha Motocross Australia YZ65 Cup

An 11-year-old South Hedland boy is gearing up for the ride of a lifetime after being the only Western Australian selected to compete in the Yamaha Motocross Australia YZ65 Cup. Cruz Brahim was one of 22 riders selected from 150 applicants across Australia and New Zealand to race at Wollongong’s AUSX at WIN Stadium on November 2. The rising motocross talent recently stepped on the podium for silver on his 65cc at the North West State Championship, hoping to one day become a professional rider. As a proud member of both the Port Hedland and Karratha motocross clubs, Cruz has been training several times a week, feeling confident as the only WA rider competing in the series. “It’s going to be pretty cool as the only WA rider to race, so I feel like it’s going to be good,” he said. “I’m sort of from a remote area in WA, so they probably thought I stood out a bit.” Coming from a family of racing enthusiasts, including his older brother Bradley and sister Aleira, Cruz has been riding since he was five years-old. His father, BJ Brahim, said when the family moved to Port Hedland six years ago, they joined the local motocross club and saw the kids thrive. “You meet the best people hanging around the motocross events,” Brahim said. “The wife’s family are all mad racers and they get into it that way, so I got married into the game. “I had no choice – Granddad was the biggest pusher of us. “I’m from a football background, so to go into a different sport is totally different to me, a lot of learning to do, but we’ve managed to get to the top of the podiums.” After receiving the exciting news from Yamaha Australia’s Jake Belford this week, Brahim has been hard at work building a supercross track to help Cruz practice for the big event. “(Cruz’s) a diehard – he will tell you about every motocross superstar that is going at the moment,” he said. “He’s pretty excited he gets to ride the track against all the people he looks up to, being on the same track that they’re on.” Mr Brahim said it wouldn’t be possible without major sponsors such as WilCo Maintenance Solutions, Pilbara Boat’s N Bikes, Mandurah City Yamaha KTM Motorcycles, Mobile Welding Services, Westex Contracting and Warnbro Pharmacy. “We’re pretty lucky – we’ve been sponsored by quite a few good people around town that look after us,” he said. “Since getting this contract, we’ve actually had a few other people get us up for sponsorship, so a few different companies that want to jump on board.” Cruz’s grandmothers are organising a raffle to help fund his trip and are offering a variety of prizes, with tickets on sale at $10 each with the draw set for October 17. To find out more details, visit his Facebook page, Brahim Racing.