While the world was on lockdown in the beginning stages of the pandemic, a Santa Clarita teenager took the opportunity to travel state lines and dive into his passion for sport motocross racing.

18-year-old Blake Gardner had been riding motorcycles since he was two years old, and racing by the time he was four. Biking had always been a part of his life, with his father having raced motorcycles and the family often riding together.

“His dad used to ride motorcycles and race for the fire police team,” said mother Karen Gardner. “We all had bikes at one time and we used to go to the desert all the time and ride. It was definitely a family bonding experience.”

Gardner was a sophomore at Canyon High School when the pandemic struck and closed down schools in March of 2020. With remote learning implemented, Gardner took the opportunity to move to Oklahoma to the Robbie Reynard Training Compound, living out of his family’s 5th wheeler.

“He usually goes there every year for just a week to train before the big race. A lot of the homeschooled kids get to train there year round. So once the pandemic hit, my husband said “why don’t we send him?” said Gardner.

From then, with the support of his family, Gardner was able to train year long with other racers in different age brackets while still in high school and living on his own. In 2022, Gardner graduated from his high school and still resides in Oklahoma for training.

“The goal is to see him go pro and at supercross races,” said Gardner.

Gardner is well on his way to his goal as he is slated to compete in Monster Energy Amateur National Motorcross race, the largest amateur race in the country.

Located at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee, the race includes the best motocross riders of different ages, and requires qualifying trials for the chance to compete.

The race is scheduled to start on and be streamed live on Tuesday, August 2. Gardner is set to compete, representing Santa Clarita’s local talent and his family.

The race is available to watch online.

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