8 EXPERT — JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Nickname: Johnathan “The Messy” Messing

Who are your local teams? Are you on a local team? Jacksonville BMX’s local team is IMBMX.  I ride for BMXTruth/GHP/FLY. We even have a BMX topic website at www.bmxtruth.com.

What is your local track and how often do you ride there? My local track is Jacksonville BMX. I ride there 3 times a week.

How long have you been racing? Since I was five.

What got you interested in BMX in the beginning? For my 5th birthday, my Dad bought me a dirt bike. Mom thought BMX would be safer. I thought it was the coolest thing ever even if I couldn’t make it up all the jumps at first.

What about the sport has kept you interested and made you want to continue? Every time I get out on the track I learn something new or get better at something I’ve been working on and all the friends I’ve made all over the country.

On the track, what parts of racing have come naturally so far and what parts do you think you need the most work on? The gate came petty easy for me. I am working on jumping and getting through the corners faster and more smoothly now.

What challenges have you encountered so far in your racing and how did you overcome them? Last year at the Southern Charm Nationals I had a real bad crash. After that I would get real nervous if anyone was next me. Donald Dance worked with me for months to help me get over it.

What are your accomplishments so far in BMX? 2009 NBL National #2, 2009 Florida State Summer Series Championship #1, 2009 Southeast Regional Championship #2, 2009 Florida State Championship #6

Have you tried to bring your friends out to the track? What did they think? I have had a few of my friends come and try it. They thought it was really cool and one of them even bought a BMX bike.

Do you play any other sports? My twin sister, Victoria, and I swim for the Oceanway Tsunamis. It‘s pretty fun and it really helps with my racing.

Who are some people you look up to and why? Darin Houston. He can do a wheelie for at least a mile.

What’s hanging on your bedroom wall? BMX plaques, banners, posters and MX posters.

What is the best advice you’ve received since you started racing? Always give 100% and hold your line.

Is there anything specific you try to eat before or during the weekend of a race? Pasta and Bananas.

If I gave you $100 right now, what would you go buy with it? LEGOs and a new helmet.

What is something you’ve done that you’d never want to do again? My friend, Andrew Gray, flipped the gate and landed on top of me and we skidded down the starting hill. I broke my helmet and tore my jersey.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in BMX? Win the 2010 Grands in both classes and go to the Worlds in 2011.

Who would you like to thank? My mom and dad. My coach, Donald Dance. My sisters, Amanda and Victoria, for going to all the races with me. BMXTruth/GHP/Fly for all the support. Serge Gagnon and Terry Lynch for pushing me up all those hills.

FAVORITE…

Track: St. Pete

Pro: CJ McGuire

Subject in School: Math

Food: Baked Ham

Dessert: Pudding

Drink: Sprite Zero

Movie: Hancock

TV Show: SpongeBob Square Pants

Band (or type of music): Black Eye Peas

Racing Memory: First time clearing the tower double at Jacksonville.