VOL. 50 ISSUE 23 JUNE 11, 2013
P57
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
SHAN MOORE
L
Cooper Webb
is one of many
rookies on the
motocross scene,
and he has already
proven to be a
solid competitor.
et's face it, amateur racing
is big business these days
with top amateur prospects
getting signed to professional
contracts long before they're old
enough to graduate to the big
leagues. GEICO Honda and Pro
Circuit Kawasaki have been raiding the amateur ranks for years,
and that early scouting has paid
off big time, with recruits like Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Trey
Canard proving just how successful the process can be.
Among the 2013 rookies to
break into the pro ranks is Cooper Webb. The 17-year-old was
highly decorated as an amateur,
winning 104 major titles during his career in the minis. Star
Racing, now better known as
the MyPlash Metal Mulisha Yamaha Team, recognized Webb's
speed and talent early on and
was snatched up and signed in
November of 2011, allowing the
North Carolina rider to finish out
his final year of amateur status
as a factory rider. That's a huge
leg up for an amateur rider and
it gives the team extra time to
groom their rider and assimilate
them into the fold.
Unlike most amateurs who
elect to jump into the national series at Southwick or Unadilla immediately after the Loretta Lynn
Amateur MX Championships,
Webb made the decision to delay
his pro debut until this year's Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Se-
