Tyler Parks

Give everyone a little background on you.

I'm Tyler “Ty” Parks, 10 years old, I am #925 and I ride a KTM 65 and I just got started on a KTM 85. I have been riding for 3 years and racing for 2.

What is your nickname?

I have two actually. Ricky Bobby (I wanna go fast. You're either first or you're last!). I am pretty competitive on the track and I want to be #1. I have a huge desire to win every single time I race. My mom calls me Mouth. You'd have to ask her about it.., but I believe it's because I get pretty excited on race weekends and I will talk endlessly to who ever will listen!

Where do you go to school? What grade are you in and what’s your favorite subject/teacher?

​I am currently in the 4th grade at Burlington Elementary School in Burlington, Ks. My favorite subject is history and my favorite teacher is Mrs. Kuhlmann. She just gets me, ya know?!

What do you want to be when you grow up....

A pro motocross racer... duh!

I never would have guessed... why do you wanna be a pro?

Because you get to go fast and hit fatty jumps!

What's your favorite thing to do when you're not at the track?

I really love going fishing!

How did you get into riding and racing?

 I had ridden 4-wheelers since I was three and on my seventh birthday I asked for a dirt bike. My parents got me a Honda CRF70 to ride around the house, At the time that's all my dad figured I would do with it.; but after a few months of tearing up the yard, I asked if we could go to the track that we always drove by on the way to Topeka (Dragoon Creek). After a couple of times practicing the track owner told my dad that we should come to the next race and see how it goes. I was on my trail bike and they put in the 65cc class and.... I won! I was pretty much hooked from that point on. I did 1 more race that year and then my parents got me a used KTM 65 for Christmas and I’ve been racing ever since.

​What is your favorite part about motocross/ dirt bikes?

Hitting big jumps & Hanging out with my buddies at the track. It’s a bonus if there is fishing at the track too!

You have tried to qualify for Loretta’s this year…. Tell us a little bit about that? What is your plan
going forward?

I did my first Loretta Lynn Qualifier this year at Bar 2 Bar MX, It's an awesome track and one of my favorites to ride, but it also kicks my tail every time I go there. I was so pumped and confident going into it. I knew in my mind that I could do it, Then it all just kind of fell apart and I made a lot of mistakes that I usually don't make. Everything went good on practice day and then on race day, in Moto 1, I smoked my clutch at the gate and watched it all go away. I was devastated to say the least. I finished dead last. In Moto 2 I got a great start, I got out fourth and then in the back sand section I swapped out and went over the bars, I think I finished like 14th overall. Day 2 was about the same. I had a descent first moto and then moto two I slid out in the mud at the start. Not how I had dreamed my weekend would go, but it was an incredible learning experience for me. I plan on going to all the training I can this year. I want to make a real effort to qualify for Loretta's next year.

Who is your biggest influence both on and off the track?

Scott Gebken, of course! He has given me great advice and really given me the confidence to get better. All of the guys who whip me on a regular basis too. You can actually learn a lot, by being behind and watching riders who are just ahead of you.

What is your favorite track to race at? 

Possum Hallow is my favorite. I have only been once, but I had a lot of family come and watch me. The track has fun jumps and it stayed tacky all day.

What do you like least about training with Innovative MX?

CIRCLES!!!! I know it's what I need the most though. 

What do you think has helped you the most since you’ve begun working with Innovative MX?

Riding with all of the other Innovative MX riders. It's great to practice with riders that are on bigger bikes and faster doing sprints. It pushes me to try and keep up with them.

What would you like to see in the future for Innovative MX?

I ​think it would be awesome to see Innovative MX have their own facility. I am pretty sure Scott and Calli want me to move in and
train full time! Lol!

How does working with Innovative MX help you on race day?

Confidence! I feel as though I am capable of being 1 st every time we line up! I am able to relate the obstacles on the track to the
training that Scott has put me through.

Who would you like to thank?

Mom & Dad. My sister, Abi is starting to enjoy it a little more and I appreciate her support. My sponsors are B's MotoLab. Brandon is the best. He's always making sure I have everything I need when it comes to bike work, suspension, tires, and trackside service. You name it and he can do it! Dunlop Tires, Illusive gloves, Scott Goggles, Factory Backing , Acerbis, BTO Sports and Matrix Concepts.