APRIL 22, 2008
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Tristan Hamm (left) watches practice in Sackville with Zach Heydeman (middle) and David Strang. |
TRISTAN HAMM
BIRTHDAY: August 20, 1991
HOMETOWN: New Germany, Nova Scotia
BIKES: YZ250F
CLASSES: 125 and GP Intermediate
SPONSORS: Atlantic Motoplex, Parts Canada, Factory Connection Canada, DP Brakes, Factory Backing
The Atlantic Region is continually producing motocross talent. From Glen Hoar to Mitch Cooke to Ryan Lockhart to Davey Fraser, the Maritimes has never been short on speed. Atlantic Motoplex Yamaha’s Tristan Hamm looks to join that list. After winning four Regional championships last year, and finishing third in the GP Junior class at the Walton TransCan, Hamm is becoming not only a contender out East, but nationally as well.
“When I was five years old, my dad took me to my first race and I raced a PW50,” remembers Hamm. “I always wanted to race since then and got into it a couple of years ago.”
Hamm isn’t the most graceful rider out on the track, but he’s not afraid to twist the throttle, and shares a similar riding style to that of his riding buddy, Davey Fraser. “I ride with Davey [Fraser] quite a bit,” says Hamm. “He’s helped me a lot with my corner speed, teaching me to carry my momentum into the corners and not just getting on the gas hard on the exit.”
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Hamm's best finish at the Sackville AX came on Saturday night in the Youth class, where he finished second to Brad Lockhart. |
For 2008, Hamm has moved up to the intermediate class, where he will race against older, more experienced racers. However, after watching the Sackville Arenacross last weekend, it looks like Hamm and Brad Lockhart will continue their war from junior. While Hamm has had the upper hand outdoors, though, Lockhart’s smooth and relaxed riding style put him out front in Sackville.
“I don’t really like indoors a lot; I’m an outdoor rider,” he says. “But I want to go into the intermediate class this year and podium and just ride strong all year.”
Along with chasing local races, Hamm plans to attend the Walton TransCan again, and we might even see him trying to qualify at the Riverglade, Walton, and Sand Del Lee nationals. Hamm’s path to motocross stardom is just beginning, but with the support of his family and sponsors, and a little luck, there’s no reason why he can’t join the shortlist of Maritime MX heroes.
