Two local motocross riders will be in Tennessee early next month to compete in the finals of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships from August 1 to 6.

Jonah Smith and Jyiere Mitchell have both qualified for the finals of the championships, Smith in the 450B and college-boy classes while Mitchell will compete in the 250 modified and 450 modified classes.

The championships will take place in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, on the ranch of country singer Loretta Lynn.

It is the biggest amateur race in the world, with about 22,000 riders travelling to eight qualifying and then regional events throughout the United States since February to qualify for 42 spots in each class.

Smith, 18, has been living in Southern Georgia the last two years and trains at the Georgia practice facility run by professional rider Josh Woods.

“There are different races all over America called regions and when you make the regionals it becomes more difficult,” said Marischal Smith, Jonah’s father.

“You have to be in the top six in each region to get to the finals. Out of 22,000, maybe a thousand will make it and that goes from 50cc five-year-olds to the 450 pro class.

“Jonah is in the 450B class which is just under pro. Most of the time he’s out there racing.

“To be honest I think both [Bermuda] riders can win their classes, they are that good. They can compete with the best out there.”

Held at the historic Loretta Lynch Ranch, most of the top professional racers in the United States have won titles there.

“The Amateur National at Loretta Lynn’s is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in,” Tim Cotter, the event director, said.

“A win at Loretta’s gives a racer instant national notoriety and can serve as a springboard to a lucrative professional motocross career.”

The racetrack contains a variety of jumps, corners and other obstacles designed to test the skills and stamina of the racers. The motocross track is used only once a year for motorcycles, so there is no home-town advantage.