by: Rachel Gutish
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 | 2:20 PM
If the name Jeremy LeDonne sounds familiar, you might be remembering the 21-year old from Pennsylvania because of his time racing the ATV motocross Nationals, or from winning the Badass award last season. A horrifying crash several years ago while racing ATV motocross left him with such severe injuries that he was paralyzed for a year and doctors told him that he might never walk again, much less ride. The now-22 year-old underwent rigorous physical therapy and a number of surgeries. He was able to start racing again a few years ago, and decided to give GNCCs a try because the racing “is a little slower speed and is closer to the ground.” He is leading both the Motorcycle 250cc College C class and the ATV College B class, and actually has a perfect season so far in the latter.
So, last year you won the Badass Award. For those who are not already familiar with your story, why don’t you tell us a little about why you won the award?
I actually won the AMA Badass Award twice, 2014 and in 2017. I raced ATV motocross from 2001-2014 ending my career due to a horrible accident that shattered my lumbar spine and left me paralyzed from the waist down. It’s unfortunate because 2014 was by far the best season I ever had racing motocross, at least until my accident. That is when I received my first AMA Badass Award. I won the Badass award again from the GNCC series last year for being able to not only recover and race again in a completely different discipline, but also do pretty well at it too! After the accident all the doctors told me I would never walk again and my hopes of being able to ride again were impossible. Getting back definitely wasn’t easy and took a lot of time and dedication. In 2016, I was able to start riding again but decided to give Cross Country racing a try instead of going back to ATV Moto.
And how did that go for you?
I started out doing some GNCCs in 2016. Last year I raced the entire GNCC series on both ATVs and dirt bikes. I actually ended up breaking my leg mid-season on the ATV but still never missed a race. I’d limp over to the machine, hand off my crutches to my dad, then get on and go race! That season I would go on to win two GNCC National Championships, one on the ATV and one on the dirt bike in the same year.
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned during your ordeal?
Any spinal injury is one of the scariest things life has to offer. There are so many unknowns but eventually you realize no matter what, you can find a way to keep doing the things you love. The most valuable lesson I learned was to never take anything for granted, cause tomorrow could be completely different from today. The simple things in life can become the biggest challenges. It changed how I see life personally. Since you never know what tomorrow might bring, you have to live your life to the fullest right now. I also believe in fate to some degree: If something bad is going to happen to you, it’s going to happen no matter what you do and what risks you take. So you might as well go out there and do what you love!
Why did you decide to come try the GNCC series instead of going back to moto?
GNCC is a little bit slower speeds than motocross, and you stay on the ground for the most part. The risk level and injuries aren’t as bad. With all the hardware in my back I figured this would be a better fit for a new beginning and me. Honestly, it was the best decision I ever made and am disappointed I didn’t try GNCC racing before my accident. I love everything about it!
And what were your biggest challenges in transiting to woods racing?
My biggest challenge is still with the tight wood sections. In motocross you’re wide open all the time. When you come into a tight woods section with a wide-open mentality, it usually doesn’t end well (laughs). I have been training with Cody Collier a lot this year and definitely improving on my weaknesses. It is still a learning curve because it is so different than what I am used to, but with the people I have behind me this year I think anything is possible.
I do struggle with my disabilities too. Even though I can walk and ride, my legs are nowhere near 100% and I have a lot of nerve damage. So I can’t ride like I did when I raced motocross, and had to change my entire riding style to adapt for it. I struggle a lot with hitting the rear brake pedal and have to sit more than a normal rider. But I make it work and won’t let the little things hold me back.
Which race so far this season has been your favorite one?
Camp Coker is my favorite track. It definitely fits my riding style, the trails have a nice flow to them, there’s a motocross track, and it’s a really fast track and doesn’t get too beat up.
It looks like you’ve were pretty successful last year on both ATVs and dirt bikes, and this year looks to be more of the same. Are you happy with the way your season has gone so far this year?
I am definitely happy with the season so far, with 5 straight wins on the quad I couldn’t ask for much more! I am also having a pretty consistent season on the dirt bike - I haven’t been able to win yet but am the points leader!
That is really impressive! What are your goals for the season?
My goal is obviously to win two more championships! I want to continue to training with the pros and to try to learn as much as I can, and also just have fun and ride as much as possible. It is amazing being able to travel like I do and life doesn’t get much better than this!
While you’ve had good results on both machines, it seems like you’re a little better at the ATV racing. Do you prefer one to the other?
I definitely focus on the ATV racing. I aim to eventually make it up to the XC1 line on ATVs, that is the ultimate goal. The only reason I race dirt bikes is to have fun and cross train. I race 4 hours a weekend so when I go out on the quad for the first two hours I don’t get as fatigued. It is awesome to win championships on both though, the hard work and training pays off.
If I remember correctly from our last interview, you have a lot irons in the fire right now besides racing, right?
Racing is my favorite thing in life but unfortunately it doesn’t pay for itself! I have a full time job in the medical field working for Cardinal Health. I also take night classes three days a week. On top of that I own the LeDonne Racing race team and have to do everything involving that. Plus I am primarily my own mechanic, though I do have the help of some friends. I don’t get to train much but when I do I make the best of it.
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
Most people in the GNCC community do not know I race Radio Controlled Cars. My Factory backed Tekno RC, Tekin powered, Proline tire RC cars makes me one of the fastest racers in my area. I have lots of pro class wins and compete all over the country for that too. I did step away from that quite a bit so that I could compete in the GNCC series. I still take the cars out and go racing during the summer and winter break though.
Anything else you would like to talk about?
Nope, I can’t think of anything else. If anyone sees me at the races, feel free to come talk and ask questions, I always like meeting and talking to new people! My handle on all social media is @ledonne99, feel free to add me if you want to keep up with what I’m doing.
Who would you like to thank?
I have tons of support this year and can’t thank everyone enough! My Dad, Mom, Sister, Cody Collier, Kory Zech, Keith Panico, Dylan McClellan, Tim Dettling, my entire team, LeDonne Racing, Tri-state Plumbing, JLT Racing, Maxxis Tires, TDR, AGX Designs, Kibblewhite, Urmosi Throttles, Powermadd Hand-guards, Maxima Oils, Extreme Powdercoating, Tireballs, DWT Wheels, Fox shocks, BNR Suspension, 100% Goggles, SIDI Boots, Amped Apparel, Hinson Clutches, Lonestar Racing, Yoshimura, Sunstar Sprockets, Streamline brakes, JSR Moto Designs, Works Connection, LS4, LS4 imprints, Leatt Brace, IMS Tanks, ASV, DT1 Filters, Flexx bars, VGR, ODI Grips, Hot Cams, Vertex Pistons, Cycle Gear, All Balls Bearings, Cylinder Works, Nitro Mouse, CV4, Pro Wheels, MPR Suspension, Precision, Morgantown Powersports, Fourwerx Carbon, Pit Posse Motorsports, Risk Racing, and GoPro