07/18/2016
Who I am and what I'm about:
After my short but impressive career as a pro motocross racer back in the late 80's and early 90's, I took a 26 year hiadas completely stepping away from the sport entirely. In November of 2015 after close friends urged me to try for a comeback I got a bike and started riding again at the age of 43. One week later I found myself with a broken radius that required extensive surgery. My passion has always been racing and always will be racing so accepting that my time had passed just was not an option! After a 4 month recovery period I started back riding again. I then found my self headed to the regional Loretta Lynn's qualifier at Thunder Valley just 6 months after I broke my arm, where I took the 5th qualifying position on my Yz250f in the 40+ class. During this time I realized I needed to find a way to contribute and give back to the sport that has meant so much to me. I have recently started my own motocross school, Heath Kirkland's Motocross Academy, teaching young kids about the sport and passing on my knowledge and experience that was developed and has grown from my personal racing as well as many friends and family members racing who I have learned from. I take great pride in seeing the kids progress as riders and helping build their confidence while giving them the tools to be sucessful in the sport. I believe anyone can accomplish their dreams when they are driven by a true love and passion for what they are doing. I think that my being able to compete at the largest motocross race in the world given the circumstances and obsticals I have faced and over come to get there is proof of that. I'm beyond grateful that I have a second chance to pursue my passion!
My credentials:
1986 & 1987 competed at Loretta Lynns's in the 80cc 12-13 class
1988 competed at Loretta Lynn's in the 80cc 14-15 class
1988 won the Golden State Series in California in the 80cc class
1988 second place finish at World Mini Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Navada
1988 featured in Motocross Action Magazine at the World Mini Grand Prix
1988 was invited to Lima, Peru to compete in a supercross race in the 80cc class and 125cc class, took 1st place in the 80cc class
1989 competed in Supercross 125cc class and finished 32nd overall in the west cost series
1990 competed in Supercross 125cc class and finished 23rd overall in the east coast series with a best 10th place finish at Pontiac, Michigan
2001 mentioned by name in Jeremy McGrath's book Wide Open: A Life in Supercross
2016 qualified 1st at area qualifier for Loretta Lynn's at Johnsonville Mx Farm in Texas
2016 qualified 5th at regional qualifier for Loretta Lynn's at Thunder Valley in Colorado
2016 Loretta Lynn's press release published in local news papers
