On the Radar: Thomas Rendall
By Jeff McConkey
Name: Thomas Rendall
Age: 12
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Occupation: A kid, I guess, but one day I want to be a Pro Motocross racer and be really good at anything I do.
Number: 494
Bike: KTM 85 SXS
Race Club: CMRC and AMA. I do all my training at MX101 Sand-Del-Lee
Classes: My favourite classes are math, social studies and english. Oh wait, you meant in motocross…I race 85cc (7-11) and Supermini in Canada and 85 (9-11) Ltd and 85 (9-11) (Mod) in most races in the US, like Mini O’s and the Lorretta qualifiers.
Let’s get to know Ottawa, Ontario, rider Thomas Rendall. ~ Bigwave photo
How did you get started in racing?
I got started in racing when Santa Claus got me a PW50 when I was 4 and then we went to watch Southwick and I met Ricky Carmichael and was hooked, I guess.
What is your favourite track and why?
My favourite track? Wow, that’s a tough one since I am lucky enough to have raced at a lot of tracks in Canada and the US. I guess it is easy to say Sand Del Lee since it is my home track, but others in Canada would be Sanair, QC, Walton and Deschambault and Gopher Dunes. In the US, my favourites are Birch Creek, VA, Unadilla, NY, Pleasure Valley, PA, Gatorback, FL and Bithlo, FL.
“My favourite rider is Eli Tomac. He’s really fast, professional and does lots of other sports like me.” ~ Bigwave photo
Who is your favourite rider and why?
My favourite rider is Eli Tomac. He’s really fast, professional and does lots of other sports like me. It is almost a tie though with Ryan Dungey and Jeremy Martin. They are really nice guys.
What Canadian Pro do you look up to and why?
The Canadian pro that I looked up to was JSR when he raced and now I am on his Orange Brigade team. Now, I really look up to Tyler Medaglia because he trains super-hard, never gives in, and is really friendly with fans.
Thomas has been lining up to race all the big Amateur Nationals for as long as he can remember. ~ Bigwave photo
Who is your hero?
My Dad is my hero! He is an amazing athlete, works super-hard and teaches me how to do lots of cool things. We have lot’s fun together.
What are your goals for this season?
My goals are to finish top 3 in the KTM SUPERMINI EASTERN SERIES on my Wheelsport Nihilo Concepts KTM 85SXS, top 3 at ECAN, to win 85 (7-11) at Walton and Top 5 to 10 at Mini O’s.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
My biggest accomplishment is passing grade 6 and 11th at 2014 Mini O’s, then my Lorretta Lynn’s qualifiers this year because the class was stacked.
Thomas will be shooting for a title at the Parts Canada TransCan at Walton Raceway in 2016. ~ Bigwave photo
What is your favourite part about going to the races?
My favourite about going to the races is the riding, the friends I see and meet, and meeting up with my sponsors. Oh, and traveling to see lots of parts of North America with family.
What do you like to do when you aren’t racing?
When I am not busy racing, I like to relax at my cottage, swim, kayak, fish, run, ride my road and mountain bikes and hang out with friends.
Who would you like to thank?
I really want to thank my Mom, Dad and sister for supporting me with my goals. My Nihilo Concepts teammate, Jairred Killeen, for pushing me hard in practice and the fun times we have traveling. I am very grateful to have all the amazing sponsors that I have, like OAKLEY / ATLAS / BELL HELMETS / ALIAS / MATRIX / WHEELSPORT / KUTVEK AMERIKA / FACTORY CONNECTION / MXP / DUNLOP / BLAST MEDIA / KTM CANADA – ORANGE BRIGADE / MX101.CA / NIHILO CONCEPTS / WMR / NIAGARA TRAILERS / PARTS CANADA / #greatfulathlete
And also, a big thanks to Leah Clarke, the Clarke’s and Derrick Killeen, and all my competitors for finishing ahead or behind me. Without competitors there is no race!
Thanks, DMX, for featuring me in “On the Radar.”
Thomas Rendall 494
@thomas_494
