Josh Frederick stands out among the Pro ATV racers - partly because he is so tall, partly because he doesn't make an effort to stand out. He is quietly making his statement(s) on the track and across the desert. So come to think of it, in that way, he does NOT stand out. That's the one thing Pro ATV racers we've met to date have in common - they are humble, generous, good sportsmen, always giving credit to their support crew and props to their competitors. (What this sport is sorely lacking is a good WWF-style rivalry!)

We tried to stir up Josh at Round 3 of the World Off Road Competition Series (WORCS) ATV Nationals, at Payette Idaho. What we found was a good-natured, composed, serious rider. His bike - prepped and maintained immaculately. His riding gear - shiny white. (In fact, instead of needing an entourage of people to wipe his goggles, he seems more than willing to buckle THEIR boots!) There must be some dirt there somewhere...

While other riders have a lively pit and enjoy the after-race party, 27-year-old Josh keeps to himself. He says that has earned him a reputation by some that don't know any better, that he is arrogant. He earnestly points out that is not the case. His race schedule is so hectic that time off the track is precious and he chooses to spend it with family as much as possible. He looks to his father for help at the track often, and his wife and little girl to ground him at home. That's enough for him.

"My family's a big part of it. They know what my goals are, they keep me going."

Race weekends are always hectic, no matter how much is done prior, and Josh loves it when his family is able to go with him. "It relaxes me a little."

Who helps bring Josh to the podium each weekend? His list of sponsors is long - Temecula Motorsports, Avina Prep, Maxxis, Elka, CT Racing, Fly, Douglas Wheel, Roll Design, IMS, Galfer, Maier, Precision Racing Products, Innovative Race Design, Hard Core, AC Racing, Works Connection and Pro-X. These are companies with serious investment in the ATV racing industry, they put out the best products - and only put their name on the best riders. Josh is honored to have their support, and he gives them the top-level exposure they are looking for, both on the track and off. In return, the support is immeasurable.

"Avina Prep, Kevin gets my bike all ready and dialed in, I don't have to worry about it. I just show up and ride."

He does wield a mean wrench himself though. A graduate of MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute), Josh has been working on bikes his whole life. While MMI gave him some good advanced experience, it also taught him that he didn't want to be working on other people's bikes instead of his own. So he got a job as a heavy machinery operator at a quarry in Moapa, and started riding seriously.

"They're great. They know what I do, and my passion for it. They work around whatever schedule I need."

To get himself to the races in top form, Frederick trains year round, because "there's always some race you want to do." Living in Moapa Nevada about 30 miles north of Las Vegas, puts wide-open desert all around him for unlimited and un-crowded training. He has a MX section carved out near his house as well.

"For motocross, you need to be training a little more in sprints, go hard for shorter periods of time. Desert racing is more endurance and just saving yourself."

But training in general does have a fairly simple base - "I"m really big into road bikes. I do light weights, and ride as much as possible."

His chase for a WORCS Pro title will not be easy. After winning Round 1 at Phoenix when last year's champ Doug Eichner ran out of gas, then underlining that with a win at Round 2 in Lake Havasu City, Josh felt the pressure at Payette.

"I think number 2 is more pressure - I'd like to have run my old number. All the pressure's on Doug for sure. But now that I have the points lead, all the pressures on us. We're doing good so far and we're just going to keep plugging away."

"We've been going at it a while. Doug's just such a great rider and he has so many championships, and it seems he never has an off day."

Sunday's Pro final started out fast and exciting and he put the pressure on Eichner until about the one-hour mark, when apparently he broke a battery cable, giving him ignition problems. His pit-crew handled that and got him back out, but then motor problems plagued him and he could only manage a smoking (and not in a good way) 8 laps, for a 17th place finish. He is holding 2nd place in the points series for the year, only 2 points behind Levi Marana of Hemet CA. He'll have to battle on though - Eichner's win this weekend puts him in 3rd, only 6 points behind Frederick.

With less than a one week break, next he heads to Pahrump NV for Best in the Desert Terribles' Town 250. Entered as number Q22 and partnered with young Cyle Chislock of Murrieta, CA, Josh will be facing one of the roughest courses Casey Folks puts on all year and also the richest Pro purse available this season. With a $5,000 cash bonus to the first place Pro Quad, you can bet Josh and Cyle will be pushing hard to take their first BITD podium away from 15 other Pro teams. Josh was 6th at Round 1 in Parker this year, but the season is still very early.

Josh is likely happier with his first effort in the SCORE series this year. Winning San Felipe has him on top of the standings headed to the Baja 500 in June. His riding partners in that series include Cyle Chislock and Levi Marana - see why it's hard to find animosity or bitter rivalries in this tight-knit sport? A rider may be sitting beside you as competition at one race, and your teammate the next. This is pretty common in the Pro ranks. Some series are individual efforts, some two-man teams, some three.

He's also planning on hitting all the ITP QuadCross events, as motocross is really his favorite type of racing.

"I like motocross a lot better, but the desert is what I've done my whole life, the way I've grown up. Plus I don't have to train as hard for the desert. But I do really like motocross so I don't want to get totally out of it."

He's realistic - the goal this year is just to ride consistent, keep improving. He'd like to get a championship out of it, maybe even a couple, but five years from now he wants to still be in one piece. Looking even further out he sees huge things for the sport, with more fan awareness and factory support.

"Bigger than dirtbikes, for sure."

One of the coolest experiences he has to tuck away is racing the 12 Hours of Pont du Vaux invitation-only event in France two years ago, on a team with Nic Granlund and Justin Reed, a rider from Ireland.

"France was fun - it was different. I'd like to go back."

For new riders starting out and maybe interested in racing, Josh's biggest piece of advice is "don't get in over your head." It's more important to just keep plugging away, work your way up, don't let yourself get down. Do it for the fun first. Once you get to the Pro level, it is still fun, but then it's more of a job, a lot of work - don't be in a hurry to get there. Try to do it with your friends and family for as long as possible.

After 20 minutes of scratching the surface of Josh Frederick, we finally hit it - pay dirt. The good stuff. What is his one surpressed desire? What is the one thing in the whole world he'd do if he could do anything at all? Bettcha can't guess, not in a million years. Even more out-there than Mike Cafro being a surf bum?

How about this - Josh Frederick, Rock Star. He admits he doesn't play any instrument, but he loves music and the travel would be great. Yep, let that one roll around for a while...

(I think I've been had. Come on - if you're going to make something up, how about Pastry Chef? Or Game Show Host? Cafro surfing was almost believable, but Josh Frederick rockin' out in spandex, with the groupies and all, I just don't see it.)

True or not, we thank Josh for the smile of the weekend, and for a few minutes of his time. Thanks also to bike-prep-man-extraordinaire Kevin Avina, for setting up the opportunity to meet one of your stars.

Good luck next weekend, Josh, and we'll see you in Taft CA for the next WORCS round.~