Cardenas, Valdovinos compete in motocross

Area residents at motocross events might want to look out for a couple of familiar faces.

Cousins Julio Cardenas and Robert Valdovinos, both of Lind, compete in motocross, an off-road motorcycle racing sport.

Valdovinos and Cardenas compete in the 2018 Airway X Motocross Series, and have also raced at events in Horn Rapids, Coeur d’ Alene and other tracks throughout the Inland Northwest.

The cousins have been competing in motocross for the last two years. After racing sporadically during the first year, Cardenas said he and Valdovinos have participated in 90 percent of races held in the last year.

Valdovinos said he became interested in racing when he was 12-13 years old. He started riding after being inspired by his brothers and Cardenas.

Cardenas and Valdovinos began riding their motorcycles at the Airway X Motocross Park. As they continued to practice and develop their skills, spectators encouraged them to compete in the sport.

Cardenas rides a Yamaha YZF450F motorcycle for races in the 250cc and 450cc class, and an XEF 250 KTM in 125cc and 250cc events. He competes in Class D, a beginners division, and hopes to advance to Class C next season.

Valdovinos rides a 2017 Kawasaki KX 250 and a 2009 KTM and competes in the schoolboy class for 16-21 year olds. He hopes to advance to the professional level of competition next year.

Cardenas and Valdovinos will usually compete in two races during one series. Before events, they will practice in Airway Heights, around Lind or Horn Rapids Motocross Park in Richland.

Like the majority of motocross racers, they have local sponsors. Cardenas is sponsored by I-90 Greenhouse and Proline Designs. Valdovinos’ sponsors include Les Schwab Tire Center and Proline Designs.

In the two years since he began racing, Cardenas has taken third place in several races. There have been instances where Cardenas said had a “holeshot,” which is a strong start, but he would drop to third place before he finished the race.

Valdovinos had holeshots during his time in racing. A highlight came during a race on his 18th birthday when he won a $100 holeshot award and finished first, while his friends and family members watched.

Cardenas enjoys competing in motocross because of the adrenaline rush he receives while he rides on the track and the thrill of landing a jump on the track. He is also proud of the progress he has made he started racing.

Like Cardenas, Valdovinos likes the adrenaline rush and the thrill of competition. He added racing also helps him clear his mind.

Cardenas and Valdovinos described motocross as a tough sport and requires time and dedication from competitors. Valdovinos has suffered broken bones and ribs, while Cardenas had separated shoulders and knee issues, which sidelined him from competition.

During a race, both competitors have crashed their bikes and climbed back on to finish the event.

Valdovinos said motocross is also tough mentally, yet he can rely on Cardenas and his family for encouragement and support after a challenging race.

Cardenas and Valdovinos have also made friends through the motocross community. Valdovinos said if a racer’s bike breaks down or they need a spare part, another competitor will help them.

While they enjoy competing in the Inland Northwest, both Cardenas and Valdovinos said they would like to see Ritzville host a motocross event, perhaps at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds.

They noted a motocross event would bring competitors and spectators to the community.

Valdovinos and Cardenas are scheduled to compete in Round 5 of the Airway X Motocross series on Sept. 15. They will finish the season in the Round 7 of the series on Sept. 29.