By Chris Rockwell

It’s official, the King Duce motocross team is assembled and heading out to smash the game in the pro circuit! This sport is close to my heart, since I have about 50 years of championship motorcycle riders and race car drivers in my family, going back to the early 60’s. It’s kind of ironic, since my wife Becky has to change the oil in my truck. I’ll stick to guitars and drums.

I met these guys killing it out at the E-Street MX track near my hometown. I was driving back from our first MMA fight in San Francisco watching “Bad Brad” McDonald take the title belt. I was on about three hours of sleep and driving over the Marysville Bridge when I looked down to see the motocross track packed with riders ripping it up. I decided to go scout it out, not expecting anything. But thought it might be a good opportunity to meet some riders and hand out some KD stickers. I never expected to stumble upon a rider that would become our lead man in the motocross game. But that’s exactly how it happened.

Damon Smith is for real. He earned his pro card in near record time, destroying the competition and winning fans even faster because of his competitive spirit and a class act personality. He also happens to be a former college and pro football player. He also hosted sports and political radio shows. Oh yea, and he’s written a great book on successful living called “Don’t Stop The Swagger” dontstoptheswagger.com. I couldn’t make this story up.

Jared Van Bebber is the young 19 year old country boy phenom from El Dorado Hills that rides effortlessly, flying off jumps like he was born with wings. Damon has been mentoring this kid into a fast rising star, along with amazing support from his family. His parents own a hundred acre ranch that has been in the family since the early 1800’s. And to show their support they are building an engineered motocross track that will rival anything in the country. They are humble and hard working folks with deep family roots. And they are all banded together with the full intention of making it to the top. Hell yea.

Duce Up!!