Tyler King is not like many other 15-year-old boys…or maybe he is?! He likes riding bikes…fast!

However, he is exceptionally good at it and seems to have a knack for becoming good at anything he sets his mind to.

A Waiwera local, from the wee age of 15 months (yes that’s right!) he has been riding Motorcycles. He rode his first Motocross (MotoX) at age 4; age 8 was his first MotoX season where he didn’t lose a single race. At age 10 he was on a bigger bike and won 3^rd at the NZ MotoX Nationals. He has a shelf full of trophies and is still a teenager!

From embryo to his first bike, to now racing - Tyler has always had a need for speed!

What is Motocross? An off-road bike sport that has you flying over high jumps on tracks shaped from natural terrain. It is fast, close, and exciting.

Aside from racing motorcycles, Tyler has also raced off-road trucks and side by sides.

Six months ago, Tyler’s family acquired a Kayo 150 mini-GP bike. This is an inspired Grand Prix racing bike for ages 7 to 13. Countless hours have been spent after school and at nights training on it to improve Tyler’s road riding skills, needed for his next foray into Superbikes.

What is a Superbike? A sports bike with a large engine, usually between 800 to 1200cc, used for racing. This is a sport not for the faint-hearted! In 2021, Tyler achieved a NZ 3rd in his first ever ride on a road bike.

Tyler currently races:

2019 Yamaha R15 in the 150 Supersport class.

2021 Yamaha R3 in the 300 Supersport class.

Last weekend, for the first time, he raced on a much bigger 300cc machine. Unfortunately, he dropped his bike on the first qualifying lap. This meant he had to start at the back in all three races. He managed to come through the field finishing 3^rd, then 1^st in his last 2 races! This won him overall for the day. Pretty amazing accomplishment on his first day driving a more powerful bike, and after a major setback at the start of the day.

Tyler will be entering both the 150 and the 300 Supersport classes at the New Zealand Superbike Competition (NZSBK). His goal is to win both! This will stand him in good stead to race in the Australian Superbike Championship and/or the Asian Talent cup. If this is achieved, it would act as a gateway to MotoGP (Grand Prix). This is his ultimate goal – to represent his family and New Zealand.

Tyler’s dad Shawn and step mum Vicky are passionately involved in every aspect of Tyler’s career and are utterly devoted to him achieving his dreams. One can only imagine the amount of time, energy, passion, drive, and perseverance his whole family would need being on the journey they have set for themselves.

Shawn and Vicky are inviting you to come along for the ride with Tyler, by supporting and following his budding career. Funding is sought to help with racing expenses (flights & accommodation, entry fees, bike development, safety apparel). As you can imagine this is an expensive sport to be involved with especially at the top level. Investors can see where their contribution has been allocated, everything is transparent.

Whether you are a business, bike fan, or just like to support locals, we invite you to contact Shawn King via Tyler’s Facebook page.

Tyler is very appreciative of all his current sponsors who have made it possible for him to get this far.

Bramble Cafe

MotoBenzina 

R&R Powersports

Mackisack Contracting 

M&M Adventures

Arai NZ

Pirelli NZ

Mad Mike Motorsports 

Frost Industries

Titus Transport

Sloan Frost

To follow Tyler

https://www.facebook.com/TylerKing128

https://www.instagram.com/mxtyler128/

Tyler’s next race will be the final round of the Vic Club TSS Motorcycles Summer road race series in Manfeild, Fielding on the 21^st May.

The Matakana App will get behind any kid/teen/young person that has talent, energy, and drive to get to the top and needs promotion or a helping hand. We will be following Tyler’s journey with regular updates here on the Matakana App. Join us!