Among the many motocross competitors at 2018 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring Royal Enfield, one was preparing for the most important race of his young career.

Mitchell Zaremba, a 14-year-old from Avon, Ohio, was one of about 1,400 motocross racers who earned the right to compete for an AMA national championship at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by Lucas Oil, at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, July 30 to Aug. 4.

After earning entries in two classes at Loretta’s by coming out on top in two qualifying events, Zaremba and his family decided to race some vintage Suzukis at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in July.

Zaremba hoped the racing at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days would help propel him to his best performance yet at Loretta’s.

“It’s not as sandy or rutty here as it will be at Loretta’s,” he said of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course motocross track in Lexington, Ohio. “It’s still fun to get out there and compete.”

Zaremba went six-for-six in moto wins and took home three AMA No. 1 plates at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, competing on bikes much older than he is.

“It was fun riding the old bikes,” he said. “I was racing a 1982 Suzuki RM80, a 1991 RM80 and a 1983 RM125.”

Zaremba started racing when he was 6 years old and would eventually like to make the jump to AMA Supercross or pro motocross.

“Those series just look like so much fun to ride in,” he said.

Zaremba’s parents fully support his aspiration of becoming a professional racer.

“It’s great seeing him out there,” Zaremba’s father, Darin Zaremba, said. “I had a pro card in the early 1990s, and it’s fun to pass this along to him. We enjoy letting him ride and helping grow the sport.”

The elder Zaremba is grateful for the support the AMA provides for motorcycle competition in the United States and was happy when the AMA created more youth racing classes at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

Supporting his son’s dreams has not been without its sacrifices.

“Financially, there’s a lot of commitment,” he said. “Mitchy is one of Suzuki’s factory-supported young riders. You’re still on the road a lot and separated from your other family members a lot.”

Mitchell Zaremba’s mother, Lori Zaremba, supports her son’s dreams.

“If we never do this, he will never know how far he could go,” she said. “We have met a lot of good people and families through this.”

Lori Zaremba also believes racing is a great teaching tool for her son.

“It teaches him that if one race doesn’t go well, you get right back on and go and do another race,” she said. “You don’t give up, and you don’t quit.”