Summer roars for motocross racer Jerry Lorenz (#881), living childhood dream on national circuit

By Susan G Parcheta, July 1, 2011 at LivingstonTalk.com

I am confident. I am bold. I am determined… and I will win.”

Motocross racer Jerry Lorenz of Morrice, MI leads off his website home page with words as bold as his dreams.  I’m not surprised.  I first met Jerry (now 23) when he was 11 years old, during an interview for the Fowlerville News and  Interviewing kids was always fun, but with Jerry (son of Jerry and Sandy Lorenz and brother of Dylan), you knew – even then – that he meant what he said.

One day, he’d told me, he’d be on the national motocross circuit. His dream was to be a professional racer; and now, he lives that dream. He lives the dream, not only because of his fierce determination, but also because of the support of his motocross-loving family. 

2009 Redbud Nationals photo of Jerry Lorenz #881 courtesy of Scott Kapfhamer of Photos-of-You.comcast.net

For Jerry and Sandy L renz and sons, it’s been life in the fast lane of the world of motocross.

Besides having parents who stand fully behind his dreams, young Jerry benefits, as a racer, from his father’s mechanical expertise. Lorenz, Sr. (who is head mechanic and manager at Fowlerville Sunoco) keeps #881’s Kawasaki 450 in tip-top racing shape.

Jerry Lorenz Sr with Jerry Jr's moto 881 decorated for 2009 Steel City race for cancer

In an interview in 2005 – the year of the first whirl on the professional circuit --   he looked back over the many years of family weekend races around Michigan. Weekends for the Lorenz family usually meant motocross.  As the senior Lorenz noted at the time, “Jerry started riding quads at age 3 1/2 . He got his first motorcycle at age five and Dylan began riding at age four. “

Often in these interim years, father and son traveled to various motocross nationals; and during the winter months, to indoor Arena Cross events. For pro racing, the summer  season is half over at the July 4^th weekend races, traditionally held at Red Bud in Buchanan, MI, followed by a couple of Canadian events and then on to races in New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. See the full summer schedule on Lorenz’ website.

The Saturday, July 2 Lucas Motor Oil Pro Motocross race at Red Bud is televised on NBC and SPEED.
In the previous race at High Point, PA, Lorenz came in 29^th out of 40; and as his mom, Sandy, pointed out, the 20^th fastest out of 92 qualifiers.  He was sidelined at Budd’s Creek in MD from a concussion during the qualifying race. However, Sandy Lorenz says “he’s doing good,” and looking forward to racing the rest of this summer.

“It’s been a lot of years,” she acknowledged, as they’ve watched both Jerry and Dylan enjoy the sport of motocross while growing up. Dylan is focusing on finishing high school and his other favorite sport, basketball. However, he hopes to do more racing in the future.

Meanwhile, big brother Jerry is tearing up the tracks as a pro racer and loving every minute of it. Be sure to follow his career at his personal website www.jerrylorenz.com.
Motocross Links
http://jerrylorenz.com/about/#fullmxschedule
Archived race results page
Motocross Action Magazine
Dirt Rider Magazine
Lucas Oil Pro AMA Motocross
Red Bud National on MX Sports Pro Racing
Lucas Oil Pro AMA Motocross Championships -- Halfway
SPEED TV: AMA MX – Season hits halfway point at Red Bud
Enjoy video clips of Jerry Lorenz #881 on You Tube Channel:
Cool Ride ~ Jerry Lorenz rides with helmet cam at Otsego
Southwick, MA Aug 27 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 group Lorenz 881
Southwick Motocross Nationals 2011
Jerry Lorenz receives Josh Lichtle award at 10th Annual Baja Brawl

Jerry Lorenz receives Josh Lichtle "Heart of Stone" award at 10th Annual Baja Brawl in Michigan in memory of fallen rider Josh Lichtle and his unwavering determination and "never-give-up" spirit.