Today would have been Ethan Gillim’s 13th birthday. Together we can keep his dream alive.

~http://www.ethansdream.com~

Name: Gabriel Da Silva

Age: 5

Birthplace: Pembroke Pines, Florida

Bikes: Blata 2.6, Blata Elite 14 WRS and Honda CRF50 with 95cc kit.

Website: ~http://www.GabrielDaSilva.com~

MGPX: How did you get into bikes?

When I was a baby I was always around my dad when he was fixing motorcycles and I would also ride with him. Bikes have always been part of my life.

MGPX: How long have you been racing?

Almost two years. My first race was last year, February 2008.

MGPX: Has your riding style or approach to racing changed over the years?

Yes, of course! I’ve been learning a lot and getting better every race I participate in.

MGPX: Do you ride bikes other than road bikes?

No.

MGPX: Why do you race?

Because I really enjoy it!

MGPX: Did anyone inspire you to race?

Yes, my daddy.

MGPX: Who is your favorite pro racer?

Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

MGPX: What is your favorite track?

Palmetto Supertrack in South Carolina and Miami GP Raceway, my hometown track where I have learned and grown a lot.

MGPX: Who are your sponsors?

Vortex, MotionPro, ChatterBox, TB Parts, WK Cargo, P3 Racing, Broward Motorsports, Rescue Tech, LM Homewise, Miami GP Raceway, and JM Computing and Services.

MGPX: What clubs do you race with?

SEMRA (Southeastern Mini Roadracing Association) and PBIR (Palm Beach International Raceway).

MGPX: What are your hobbies outside of riding?

I love to ride Jet Ski, bicycle, go to the beach, play video game (racing games), and spend time with my family.

MGPX: Does you family support your riding?

Yes! I would say that my family is my biggest support.

MGPX: What is the coolest thing about racing?

i don’t know…everything about racing is cool for me!

MGPX: How did the 2008 season go?

It was very hard for me to race, because at the timeá I was 4 and my parents had a hard time finding an association that allowed me to race. So, I did not race a championship last year, but just raced in different associations every opportunity I had.

MGPX: How have been things going so far in 2009?

This is actually my first year racing a championship and I can say that I’m very blessed.

MGPX: Have you started thinking about what you are going to do in 2010?

I plan to race SEMRA’s championship again and I wish I could race WERA’s.

MGPX: Any plans to travel to race?

Yes, besides traveling to every SEMRA’s race I plan to race internationally.

MGPX: Who is your biggest supporter?

My family.

MGPX: Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

i don’t know..I hope I can be racing in a very cool championship.

MGPX: How has your dad helped you in your riding?

My dad is my friend. He has always been telling me what I could do better and he always makes my bike faster.

MGPX: What is your favorite movie? Why?

Cars, Transformers and Fast and the Furious, because that’s a lot of action!

MGPX: What is your favorite song?

I don’t have a favorite. I like christian music.

MGPX: What kind of shoes do you wear?

I like to wear shoes that have lights, like from Cars and Transformers.á

MGPX: Who cuts your hair?

My mommy.

Vortex invited their youngest rider, Gabriel Da Silva,to meet their factory!

Gabriel had a wonderful time at VORTEX factory last Monday! He saw how the parts are made, the way VORTEX works, how well organized they are,etc. Gabriel got amazed!

Check his Facebook fan page: ~http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gabriel-Da-Silva-Bike-Racer/101627636260~

And: ~http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1474&id=100000126944749&ref=mf~

Check Vortex website: ~http://vortexracing.com~

For more information on Gabriel visit: ~http://www.GabrielDaSilva.com~

Thanks very much to our sponsors and people who contributed to help make it possible for John to ride in the Seattle 100. We got to meet some really fast and cool roadracers, get John a bit more seat time and setup information on the RS125, and we had John’s 11th birthday party at the track. The weather was great, the bike ran like a top all day, and John got to go for a ride with Josh Hayes, all in all a very good day.

Thanks again, and come see John Race with WMRRA at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wa. on October 3rd and 4th.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Head up to the CMA Canadian Championship 2009 Mini Roadracing Series Round #5 hosted by ~http://www.miniracingbc.com~

Florida Mini Roadracing Association hits the track August 16th.