MOUNT MORRIS, Pa. — Just livin’ the dream.
Usually, that commentary on how someone’s day is going has sarcasm dripping from every syllable. But Morgantown native and professional motocross rider Aerian Weaver insists it’s true in his case — every time he’s on a dirt track, straddling his 450 cc motorcycle.
That’s because he’s always wanted to race professionally on the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross circuit, ever since he was barely able to reach from brake to throttle.
“We always had bikes growing up,” the 2013 UHS alumnus said, “and I always watched the races on TV and we’d go to High Point every year. I always imagined myself riding alongside all those guys who were going so fast and jumping so far. And now I’m out there racing with my idols. It’s just awesome.”
It was last year that Weaver made his pro debut at the same event that will be held today at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, the 43rd Annual Circle K High Point National. However, his journey from weekend rider to pro racer was anything but smooth.
“I started racing when I was a freshman in high school, but I really got serious about the sport my junior year,” he said. “I started doing well at high level amateur races all around the East Coast, and I even qualified for the Loretta Lynn Amateur National in Nashville twice.
“Eventually, my dad (Randy) said, ‘Well, we’re going pretty fast at this point. Why don’t we try going pro?’” So 2016 was the year they decided to try to make the leap, and Doublin Gap (Pa.) was the Pro-Am race that Weaver was poised to potentially earn enough points to obtain his pro license — when disaster struck.
“I was doing well in the race,” he recalled with a smile, “but I hit a big jump wrong, overshot the landing, whiskey-throttled off course, and leg-whipped a pipe. Broke my femur pretty bad. Had to be Life-Flighted out and everything. They said I’d be out half a year, but I was riding again in two months.”
During his convalescence, Weaver Racing had some soul-searching time on their hands, and while the rider remained unfazed, the mechanic had some second — and maybe some third — thoughts about continuing the project.
“At the pro level, the riders honestly have to be a little insane,” Randy said. “I mean, to be successful, you have to go really, really fast, and that means pushing the bike to its very limits. That also means running every turn and every jump absolutely wide open. It’s potentially a very dangerous sport, but it’s also something that we both love. So when he wanted to keep going, even though it can be scary to watch, and it’s always expensive as heck, I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ ”
Team Weaver cranked back up in 2017, and eventually Aerian earned that coveted pro license in 2018, debuting at High Point and nearly making it through qualifying before a minor crash in the Last Chance Qualifying race ended his day. The team gained valuable experience racing at several other venues last year, and are now geared up to once again challenge High Point. So what does a man do if he’s already living his dream? Dream bigger.
Thus far, Weaver Racing has not finished the preliminary qualifying time trials with a lap time fast enough to gain entry into the main event, where the top 40 racers run head to head for the checkered flag.
“That’s my dream now,” he said, the excitement rising in his voice, “to make it in the Mains. And it’s so tough to do. The top riders qualify first, and they pretty much tear up the course, so the second tier guys have to fight the ruts. And those factory-sponsored guys are paid to train all year-round, and they’ve got suspensions on their bikes that are just crazy expensive.
“But that’s the game. And the difference between the 35th and the 55th rider in qualifying is like two seconds, so the margin for error is incredibly small. But all it takes is one fast lap. That’s it, and I’m racing for a championship. I can’t wait to give it all I’ve got on Saturday.”
The races will be aired nationally on NBC beginning at noon.
