11-year-old Gold Bar boy will vie for motorcycle championship

GOLD BAR — Because he liked motorcycles, Bob and Nel Lisa Carper let their son Cobey begin riding as a young boy. His first bike was a Yamaha PW50, complete with homemade training wheels.

Cobey Carper was 18 months old at the time. He learned to ride a motorcycle eight months after he learned to walk.

“It’s what he wanted to do,” his mother said.

Ten years later, not much has changed for Cobey Carper, now 11 and a recent fifth-grade graduate of Gold Bar Elementary School. He still loves riding, and he often goes out to practice on a motocross track carved through the trees on property behind the family home.

He also loves competing, and later this month he will head to the prestigious American Motorcyclist Association National Championships at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

The championships, the biggest amateur motocross event in the country, will bring together some 1,400 racers of all ages, including some as young as 4. Cobey Carper will compete in the 65cc Mod class against 41 other kids ages 7-11, and he will be one of just four riders from Washington at the event.

“It’s very exciting,” he said with a shy smile.

He started in the sport because his father, Bob Carper, used to ride recreationally, though he also rode competitively for two years. Nel Lisa Carper would also ride for fun and as a small child Cobey would go along with his parents in a backpack.

Four years later he began competing in an arenacross series at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. He won right from the start and has never let up, including eight state championships in several classes and age groups over the years. He has more trophies than the family has wall space in the home.

“When he was real little, some of those trophies were bigger than he was,” his mother said.

Her son succeeds, she went on, because he has “a determination and a drive that I’ve never seen in kids his age. And all his teachers have said this. … He practices (a lot). He’s constantly building bicycle jumps or working on his dirt bike track. He just has a drive that’s different.”

Cobey Carper admits he sometimes gets nervous on his motorcycle, “but not that often. If I’m doing really good, but then I almost crash, then I get a little nervous,” he said. “It’s like, whoa, that was (close). But sometimes going up onto the line I get a little nervous just because of all the people.”

When it comes to nerves, Nel Lisa Carper admits she suffers more than anyone in the family. Watching her son racing along a dirt track, going airborne over jumps, and occasionally spilling his bike and himself, “it’s scary,” she said. “My husband and I stand on the sidelines and cheer a little bit, but there’s a lot of stress that goes into this, especially at these big races. He’s going much faster than we’ve ever seen our kid go.”

Even though her son wears a protective vest, a neck brace and a helmet, “it is still very, very hard to watch him ride,” she added. “It’s so great he’s doing what he (loves) doing. But at the same time, every time he suits up I’m scared to death.”

She combats her nerves at races by busying herself taking pictures. “I have to do it because otherwise I’d be a mess,” she said.

The family, which also includes younger son Josh — he is 8 and also a promising rider — will leave for Tennessee in about a week, traveling with a truck and trailer. Racing begins on July 27 and continues to Aug. 3.

With top riders coming from across the country, “it’ll be the best of the best,” Nel Lisa Carper said.

In the years to come, Cobey Carper wants to continue riding. His goal is to race professionally, like 18-year-old Darian Sanayei of Monroe who has mentored the youngster and is preparing to turn pro himself, and top rider Ryan Villopoto, who has won several motocross and supercross championships in recent years.

And all because “going fast is fun,” he said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.