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He was at the front of the pack, adrenaline rushing through him — he knew he was going to win. But suddenly, something went wrong. He crashed, landing hard on the ground. In that instant, he knew he had a choice: give up, or get back on the bike and try again. Without hesitation, junior Thomas Rigby jumped back on. He pushed through the pack, going from dead last all the way to 5th place.
Rigby has been on a dirt bike since before he could walk. He races in the C class and qualifies for the biggest amateur race in the country every year. He’s sponsored by the FFW Racing Team and is known as a “sandbagger” — a rider who’s considered too good for the class he’s in.
As much as Rigby loves racing, there’s one part of the sport he hates: the financial side.
“It just depends financially,” Rigby said. “Sometimes there are people out there that are the best, but they aren’t financially there, so they can’t make it all the way. But some just have more money and get their way up there. It’s definitely a big mental block — that you should be up there with them, but you’re not because you don’t have the money.”
Even his friends have noticed the impact finances have had on his racing career.
“If he actually went to the races and did the racing he needed to do to qualify, he probably would go pro,” junior Teagon Hanson said. “But he can’t, because it’s super expensive to get to those qualifying races.”
Still, Rigby isn’t giving up. He stays determined to make it, no matter the cost.
“It’s definitely not fair,” he said. “But it depends on who works harder. Some kids have all the money and still don’t make it. And sometimes, there’s an underdog who just makes it.”
One of his biggest supporters through all the ups and downs has been his family, especially his dad.
“He’s definitely helped me out a lot — taught me a lot, helped me out with some financial aid too,” Rigby said. “He’s just there to support me 24/7. My dad’s definitely my number one cheerleader. He helps me through anything.”
That’s why, every time Rigby races, he gives it his all for his dad.
“There’s definitely a strong need to win for my dad,” Rigby said. “I want to show him I’m the best — and to show sponsors what I can do with what they’ve given me.”
It’s not just his family that he wants to do his best for, it is also his friends. There’s always a drive to perform.
“You just want to show your friends that you’re out here trying your hardest,” Rigby said. “Sometimes you do good and you feel good about it, and sometimes you don’t do as well — and then it feels like you just showed your friends that you’re not good.”
Even when he doubts himself, his friends see how much heart he puts into it.
“He’s been trying really hard — that’s all he does,” said junior Braxton O’Bannon. “Besides work and school, he’s always practicing. He has his own track and goes out there and just gives it everything.”
But more than anything he races for himself.
“It’s basically just been put in my life,” Rigby said, “and that’s what I do everyday, and I enjoy it day in and day out I work hard because it’s something I want to work hard on and put my time into.”
