Ligonier’s Sahara Robinson wins dirt bike racing national championship
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Sahara Robinson found herself riding her dirt bike with a purpose, looking for her first Grand National Cross Country Series national championship.
It was the 11th of 12 rounds of the series in Newburg, W.Va., and the Ligonier youth was determined, no matter the circumstances nor the condition of the track, to win it all.
Robinson, 12, made adjustments throughout the series, whether the track was rocky or muddy. Despite missing the first two rounds recovering from a concussion, Robinson battled her way back and found herself in first place in eight races.
Robinson led with 179 total points in the girls 85 (7-13) class with still one round to go.
“We’re pretty proud of her,” Sahara’s father, Eric Robinson, said. “But she’s the one who puts in all the work.”
She competes in multiple series, including the GNCC’s East Coast Cross Country Series and the American Woods Racing Series (AWRCS).
In 2022, Robinson was the first girl to win the Peewee Bike Race in the American Woods Racing Championship Series at Seven Springs in the Red Bull Mountain Scramble.
This year, she rose to new heights, moving up to the 85 class and won the class, only finishing in second place in one round.
“It’s a pretty big accomplishment for even an adult to do it,” Eric Robinson said. “There’s not many people that can say they’ve done it.”
In her only second-place finish in the series, a rock bounced up during the race and broke her nose. Nonetheless, she finished the race and claimed the victory in the 85 class.
Her success and her passion for riding often catches the attention of those in attendance.
“Every race she has quite a following of people cheering around, and cheering her on,” her father said.
Tracks are usually 5-6 miles, and racers complete 5-6 laps for an hour and a half. Weather also can play a factor as it can make a track muddy and tough to navigate. Robinson said she faces the difficulties head on and focuses on what she can control.
Her motto is quite simple: “Just try harder,” Robinson said.
Robinson did indeed try harder and took home first place despite missing two of the first three rounds. She enjoyed her experience in the 2023 GNCC series.
“It was good,” Robinson said. “It took a lot of hard work.”
One of her favorite feelings while racing is riding “wide open,” which is when the throttle is completely open.
Robinson’s journey in the 7-13 class is not over. She still has two more seasons at the 85 (7-13) class.
Her next goal is to win it all against both boys and girls overall.
“My goal is to win the youth national championship,” Robinson said.
Eric and Tami Robinson, her mother, both enjoy watching her compete.
“We like to see the competition,” Eric Robinson said. “It’s an hour and a half long race and you never know who’s gonna come out on top.”
Sahara Robinson credited her coaches and pit crew, which are her parents, in contributing to her success, along with her sponsors: Off-Road Vixens clothing, North County Yamaha, Moose Racing, Wiseco, Galfer USA, Flexx Handlebars, IMS, FMF, Acerbis Plastics, and Cycra.