RATHDRUM — When Colton Tirri rode his first motocross bike at 7 years old, he was a little hesitant at first.

Then, he took to the racetrack for the first time in a local race in Clarkia — and placed first.

“Ever since then, he was hooked,” said Colton’s mom, Amanda Tirri.

Since that fateful race in Clarkia, Colton has excelled in countless other local races in addition to out-of-state competitions in California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas and Tennessee.

Now 12 years old, Colton is headed to Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Motocross Championship for the second time.

The nearly weeklong competition in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., is “the world’s largest amateur motocross race,” according to MX Sports. Colton also qualified in 2023.

To qualify, Colton first advanced through area and regional qualifiers, becoming one of eight in the entire Pacific and Inland Northwest region to do so.

Only 42 kids in the entire country in total qualified for the championship, with athletes converging on Hurricane Mills from around the world.

“It gives me goosebumps,” Tirri said. “I’m stoked.”

The Rathdrum-based family will make their way to Hurricane Mills this week, with Colton and the rest of the family making the cross-country trip by car over two days and Tirri flying out Saturday.

The competition begins Sunday and runs until Aug. 2.

Though Colton’s major sponsor was unable to help out this year, the “tight-knit” motocross community and locals alike have already stepped up to help cover competition-related expenses, typically amounting to over $10,000.

So far, the family has received about $3,000 in donations, with more continuing to come in through Venmo.

Help from the community has allowed the family to continue to be “full-blown dedicated” as Colton continues to be a rising star in the motocross world.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Colton’s commitment, sportsmanship and pure love for motocross,” Tirri said. “We’re in this for the long haul, and we’re excited to see where this journey leads next.”

Donations toward Colton’s championship journey can still be made to Amanda-Tirri on Venmo using verification code 8619. All proceeds go directly to travel expenses, race fees, facility permits, gas and bike parts.