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Small Stars: Young Motocross champ fears nothing

Posted at 7:02 PM, Apr 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-21 22:31:40-04

It's time for Fouhy's Small Stars! This week, we headed to Casa Grande to meet fearless 9-year-old Motocross star Damon Valdez from San Tan Valley.

"My dad raced and now I have to be in racing because he used to race," Valdez said.

Damon definitely got the racing gene: He's already won more awards and trophies than most of us will in a lifetime.

But we know what you're thinking: Isn't Motocross pretty scary for a 9-year-old?

"My first time I went on my bike, I wrecked. That's what kind of scared me," he said. "But when I started on my bike again, then I wasn't scared."

Does Valdez have any advice for younger riders?

"Just go through the corners fast, do the jumps, and you'll be all good," he said.

So, how long does Valdez think he'll keep doing this?

"Um... 'til I'm 33," he said.

OK, we know you love to fly over the jumps and speed through the corners, and we can see how much you love the sport -- but have you ever been hurt?

"I fell on my shoulder and I broke my collarbone," he said.

Now, that had to hurt -- right?

"It doesn't hurt when you break your collarbone because you have a lot of adrenaline when you're riding," he said.

But despite the wrecks and the minor injuries, Damon is doing so well that he already has lots of support and sponsors, including Dunlop tires, Rockwell watches and Bell helmets.

What does that get you?

"They just give me tires for free, watches and -- well, I haven't got a Bell helmet yet," he said.

Maybe we can help you with that, Damon, by making you this week's Small Star!