Catching Up with #66 Noah Porter

Catching Up with #66 Noah Porter

Interview with 16-year-old Motocross Pro #66 Noah Porter from Williams Lake, BC in this Catching Up with interview brought to you by KTM Canada.

By Billy Rainford

If you’ve been wondering who the fast rider on the #66 in the 250 class has been so far this summer, that’s Noah Porter from Williams Lake, BC. Noah raced Intermediate at the TransCan at Walton Raceway in 2023 and has made the move to the Pro ranks for 2024. He turned heads at Temple Hill MX in Raymond, Alberta, when he grabbed a holeshot and led the Pro Am class for several laps.

We got in touch with him this week to give everyone a chance to get to know the 16-year-old a little better. We’re on another weekend off from racing in our series, so here’s an interview with one of our fast up-and-comers.

Direct Motocross: Hey, Noah. I thought we really needed to chat with you after the improvements you seem to have made so far this season. You’ve really turned some heads! Let’s back it up though. Tell everyone how old you are, where you’re from and how you got into racing motocross.

Noah Porter: Hi, Billy, thanks for reaching out.  I am 16 years old and I live in Williams Lake, BC. I got into motocross when I was 4 years old.  My dad took me to the local race on my Honda 50 and I entered the 50 (4-6) class.  I loved it right away and we bought a KTM 50 that season. I have been racing ever since.

Coming from Williams Lake, I assume Brock Hoyer has played a role in your racing? Is he someone you’ve looked up to or had as a mentor? Do you sled in the winter too?

Yeah, Brock Hoyer has been helping me out lots.  We ride the local track, natural tracks around Williams Lake, and off-road trails too.  He gives me lots of tips on how to improve my riding and is someone I look up to.  We do sled and I also put a Timbersled kit on my 450 last year so that we can go snowbiking too. I really enjoyed that this year.

Living up where you do, you’ve got a long way to go to compete and rise to the level of Pro. How tough was it as a kid coming up through the ranks? I assume your parents put in a lot of miles?

We had to decide which BC series to compete in when I was on little bikes.  My parents chose the Future West Moto series so that I could compete with riders who get to ride more of the year than Northern riders do.  I have to park my bike at home when the snow hits and pick it back up in the spring, and also I don’t get to train in the US. We try to go to all the Future West races, some of the Peace Motocross races, some PNWMA off-road races and even some Island races. I just try to ride as much as I can to get seat time.

You had a pretty good 2023 TransCan last year. You were 3rd in 250 Intermediate and 4th in Open Intermediate. How did your final event as an amateur go in your eyes?

My first time ever going to Walton was a great experience.  It was definitely one of the biggest races I have ever been to.  My mom and I drove in a pick-up to make it to the race because my dad wasn’t able to come at the last minute.  I’m glad that Brock was there to help me mechanic and be my pit crew. I was really surprised to place that well in my classes, because it was all new people I had never raced before.  I am very happy to have made the podium for Intermediate and to also bring home the Rick Joseph Memorial Award. 

You raced the 250 Pro Am class last year with a best overall of 16th. How did that go racing against the Pro guys as an amateur?

Last year was a trial run for the National races.  I was trying to get used to being on the track with so many riders at once.  I felt a little intimidated, but I just did my best and rode how I know I can. It was really cool being on the track with all the pro riders as a 15-year-old.

I mention all these past results because you’ve really made some moves coming into this summer. You’ve had some great rides! What did you do over the winter to prepare for the 2024 season?

I try to snowmobile and snowbike as much as I possibly can all winter, and I play hockey in town as well.  I joined the local boxing club to stay in shape too.  When spring hits I start riding as much as possible wherever the snow has melted, sometimes it is hard to find places to ride. We have also taken some day trips down to snow-free Savona, BC to ride with Kaylie Kayer at her local riding spots.

I think it was at the WCAN in Raymond, AB where you really gained some momentum. You raced at the front for a while against Natzke, Ward, and Linville, to name a few. Tell us how that was for you.

I got a lot of confidence in Raymond.  I know I am good at starts and had some great starts there.  It was very eye-opening what I can do if I get a good start. I liked riding my 450 in West Can because it felt like I could keep the pace and flow with those top riders. I was also freaking out that I was riding with the guys that I grew up watching!

You also ran up front at round 3 last weekend in Pilot Mound, MB. How was that and are you starting to feel more comfortable riding that pace?

In Pilot Mound I was mostly just focused on keeping it on two wheels in that mud.  I was hoping that if I could stay up and in control, I could make a top 10. I am definitely feeling more comfortable riding at that pace with each round I complete.

You’re 13, 11, 12 so far in the first 3 rounds. How would you sum them up?

I know that I could have done better.  My goal was to get a top 10. But I have done better this year in the Western rounds than I did last year. I will keep working hard to reach my goal. 

Now that you see what the top pace is like, what do you think it is that you need to work on to get there?

I do need to work on my endurance and more practice with catching guys and passing them right away.

What are your plans during this break before we head east?

After the Western rounds, I need to go home and catch up on some schoolwork that I missed while racing. Unfortunately, we have cancelled our plans to do the Eastern rounds.  I am hoping to still make Walton again, even if it is just my mom and I in our pick up.

I’m sorry to hear that. So then, what are your plans for the rest of the summer?

I will go back to work as a heavy-duty mechanic apprentice and keep practicing on my dirt bike. I am excited to help with driving this year on the way to Walton because I was too young last year to drive.

Do you have your sights set on any AMA Supercross?

At this point, no, but one day I would like to do that.

At the end of this summer, what will you call a success?

Getting at top 10 at Walton!

You’re just 16 years old now. What is your school situation?

I am finishing up Grade 11 and I have finished everything I need to do at high school.  In the fall I am starting the Heavy Duty Mechanics program at Thompson Rivers University.  I will be done next April and be a second-year apprentice.  I am excited to be done in April so that I can do the Triple Crown Series without being in school like this year.

OK, well I appreciate you taking some time with us. It’s been fun watching your progress. Good luck with the rest of the season and your schooling. Who would you like to thank?

My mom and dad, Klim, RMR Suspensions, Peter Arnold Log Homes, Spectra Powersports, LRX Performance, Parts Canada, Matrix Concepts, 100%, Atlas Brace, Mobius Braces, Lime Nine, Schickworks Signs and Stitches.