Harvey off to a strong start as a pro

Carson City motocross rider only one of three racers to be signed by Yamaha

ByCharlesWhisnand

Appeal Sports Editor

It only took Carson City's Aron Harvey about four years to move up to the top of the national amateur motocross ranks.

Based on the start he's had as a professional, Harvey may have a chance to move up the pro ranks as fast as he goes when he races. Harvey was one of only three young racers from across the country to be recently signed by Yamaha, a major step in his budding pro career.

The reason why he was signed by Yamaha was symbolic of his fast start as a pro as the company told him a major reason why he was signed was his fast starts. "I get really good starts," said Harvey, a 2005 Carson High graduate.

Harvey said Yamaha told him while other riders are faster, the company chose him believing he has more potential because of his fast starts.

"It's definitely a big step," said Harvey about being signed by Yamaha. "It's quite an honor. They're behind me 110 percent.

Harvey was signed by Yamaha after a successful summer which included winning the amateur national title in the 250 B stock class at the National Motorsports Association National Championships in Ponca City, Okla., and a third place finish in the 250 B Modified Class at the American Motocross Association Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn's in Tennessee. Harvey turned pro after Loretta Lynn's and is racing in the A Class Pro-Am division.

In 2007, Harvey will race again in the A Class Pro-Am division at Las Vegas' World Mini Grand Prix, national events in Texas, Mammoth, Calif., and nationals at Ponca and Loretta Lynn's. He'll continue to race in local events as well.

If he does well enough, the next step for Harvey could be to join a Yamaha factory team, which would bring him one step closer to racing at the top professional level on the AMA circuit.

He's also receiving increased support from equipment companies such as Spy goggles, Thor and Pro Circuit. Harvey's father, Ron, said other companies are looking to sponsor his son as well. "It's just been so busy," Ron said. "For dad it's been an insane, hectic thing."

Aron found out how nice the increased support was at the recent Winter National Olympics in the Pro-Am division. Harvey competed in the 125A stock, 125 A modified, 250A stock and 250A modified classes on both a Supercross and an outdoor motocross track. Supercross is basically held on a larger version of a motocross track.

He finished in the top 10 overall in most of his classes. "That's pretty good," Harvey said. "That's getting up there. It's the best in the country."

In Florida, Harvey found out how nice the increased support can be. In one moto, he lost his radiator, but Yamaha was there to hand him another at a cost of about $350.

In another moto, Harvey lost a pipe, but Pro Circuit was there to hand him another. "Everybody's starting to help out a lot now," Harvey said. "That was really cool."

Other sponsors, friends and family who have helped Harvey along the way include his parents, Ron and Debra, his grandfather, Ken Harvey, his uncle Tom and aunt Penny Henesh, his uncle Tony and aunt Shirley DeCrona, his mechanic Roger Steyn, his trainer Jerry Masterpool, Reno Michael's Power Sports, Hinson Clutch, Renthal, Acerbis, Dirt Digits, Motor X, McCoy's Off Road Center, Posey Racing, Sunline Arc, Race Tech Suspensions and Atlas Lunber and Door.

Aron's other sponsors include Michael's of Reno, Spy Goggles, Pro Circuit, Hinson Clutch, Renthal, Acerbis, Dirt Digits, Motor X, Race Tech, McCoy's Off Road Center, Posey Racing and Sunline Arc.

There's also his friend Danny Marcin, who has entered into a production company with Harvey, Marshin Productions, that records all of Harvey's racing.