Steward Baylor, Jr., a third generation racer has just finished winning the 200 A Class in GNCC. Baylor dominated the GNCC Youth ranks last year, but now after turning 15 and getting a big-bike title, he has all summer break to plan his next move, which may include a new bike and a try at the XC2 class after a summer of training. Baylor took a minute out from boating with his buddies in South Carolina to talk about the obstacles in his way and his hopes for the future.

So you're out on a boat right now with all your buddies? I bet that's fun. We haven't left yet.  We're trying to fix the jet ski. We're out on the lake in Greenwood, S.C. Actually, right now it's extremely cold. Extremely cold and windy.

Alright! Well, Happy Birthday, you just turned 15 right? That's pretty exciting. Yeah, I was kind of excited. We didn't have my original birth certificate when we went to get my driver's permit. Then, the next day I was leaving to go to my friends so I haven't gotten my permit. That was the part I was most looking forward to. But, I liked it. It was a pretty good weekend for me. I got the class championship for the 200 A Class. After starting so far back on the start, it was pretty good for me. Sometimes some riders didn't get out of your way when you start on the 6^th line. It's hard to start that far back and then go running for the top amateur spot.

I was running for the top A rider , which is  the top amateur, so I could get back on the podium but every race it seemed like all the A riders were two minutes faster. All the rest of my laps were right there with them or just a little bit faster so I didn't really have a chance since they started so far ahead of me. It was my main goal of the year but I didn't get it. Hopefully next year I'll get back on the podium.

At Snowshoe there was a bit of a rumor going around that you're going to try out XC2 after Summer Break. Is that in your plans?
That is what I would like to do. I don't know. We haven't really worked everything out. We're going to try the 4-stroke over the summer. Hopefully I'm as fast or faster as I am on the two-stroke. One problem is that I'm already 200 pounds. I don't know if the 250F would carry me as fast as the lighter riders. That's the only problem I would have. I'm going to try to train much harder. Hopefully I can get down to 190. I don't know. Look at Kailub Russell, he's not more than 140 pounds and Cory B. is maybe 160. I'm right at about 6 foot. I've never been on a bike that fit me anyways. Ever since I was on 65s I've always been about 10 sizes too big. Whatever happens, I'm looking forward to it.

How many races are you going to do? We're planning on taking a 250 two-stroke and a 450 two- stroke and trying out both and see which one I'm faster on. But we haven't worked it all out yet. Whichever it is it may be what I finish out the year with. We're trying to work everything out but there are no guarantees. I'm shooting for XC2.

Why at your age are you going to jump all the way to XC2, why not take another year of experience in another class? Well, like last year I was 13 and I went to the 14-15 class. It's just having competition and having someone beat me has always been my drive. I ended up getting faster and faster every time.

So you want to get with more competition. Yes. I like getting beat because it always makes me faster; it makes me want to get better.

What's your competition like now? It's really tough for the first couple of laps. Once we get to some of the mudholes, I always have pretty good lines and I can pick through there and get the lead. When you can't see me it's kind of hard to get to me.

Ok, I have to ask. Weege told me you were hysterical. I'm not seeing it man!

(Laughs) My friend kept me out too late. He was keeping me out fishing. No actually I wanted to stay out and he was about crying getting me to stay in.

(Aside to his friend) YEAH I'm talking about you BUTTHEAD! He's a red head. His name's Hunter Green.

His name is Hunter Green? And he has red hair?
Yes, Hunter Green. Like the color.  Red and Green. So like Christmas. Like an ornament on a tree.

Ok there's the humor. Your mom told me you're also a third-generation racer.
Yeah, my grandpa started my dad racing. So I think when I was 4 I started racing. I had a little tiny 50 that I still have. My first race I literally had my feet on the ground and walked around the track. Sitting on the seat and walking the bike. As you can imagine, I wasn't going very fast. Well, after a few races, I started to get a little faster and then after awhile I jumped to GNCCs. The Belues told me about them I think and we started racing them. My first race I had a minute lead and then my clutch went out. But I got better and all the years after that I've won my class.

My dad's my professional mechanic. I have to add that in. I didn't finish a couple races this year. I had bad luck in Pennsylvania. I was about 13 minutes down my first lap. I came back and almost won. One more lap and I might have had it. Me and Kailub Russell rode together for awhile because the pros lapped me. Everyone was pointing him lines so I could pick those but hopefully I won't ever get lapped again!  Everything is going good. I got the championship. Everything is looking good for next year.

You have a brother that races too? Yeah, Grant. He has Aaron Plessinger for competition and that's keeping his hands full. Everyone says he's going to grow up to beat me. But he doesn't have the competitive edge that I do. Well, wait, last year he beat me because I got lost on a lap and he beat me by two seconds. Every time that race comes up he likes rubbing it in.

What's the age difference? There is 3 years. Then there's a sister in between. That's the worst. One second she's all nice and fun to be around and then the next second..well there's a lot of words you can use for that.

What's this about trying to hook your sister up with your competition? Yeah, I will try to do that with whoever is my competition! I have got to get their minds off of racing for a little while. So I tried to do it with Zach Nolan but I think he was scared of my dad. It was fun racing with him though.

How are you spending your Summer Break, besides hanging out on a boat? I think my dad wanted me to stay home and train. Looks like that's what I'm going to be doing the rest of the summer. Right now we're building a house now. So I'll be doing all the hard work in the sun. Basically, an extremely horrible summer.  Maybe we can dig a pond. Or make a slip and slide in the mud. I haven't been training that hard but I haven't been that tired at the end of the races. I was running around wide open. I was feeling ripe!  I was on my energy drinks.

So the energy drinks are the secret to your success? That's one of many. I'm extremely superstitious. Until I lost with my steak sandwich for lunch routine, I had to change.  Everything's just all superstition.

Alright well I'll let you get back to your boating. Have fun and see you after summer break.

Can I thank a couple of sponsors? Sure

Thanks. Pro Taper, FMF, KTM, KTM Hard Parts, Fasstway Pro Moto Billet, Fly Racing, TechSpec, Michelin Tires, Powersports Graphics,  Silkolene, Coppersmith Suspension, Smith Goggles, Shoei Helmets, Racer Solutions, IMF, Neeley Racing, My granddad and grandmother, my mom and dad, supposedly the best crew in the world, and Jason Raines, Steve Hatch, Twin Air, P2 Profile, and all the friends that help me out and give me lines and pit me. Everyone that pulls me out of a mudhole, thanks!