Cameron Goins’ lifelong love of supercross ended with a big payday. The Dover resident won a $20,000 scholarship to put toward his education at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, in Orlando.
Goins earned the 2014 Jeremy McGrath Scholarship by submitting a two-minute video.
The win was fitting for Goins — who not only likes motorcycles and dirt bikes but also rides them. In fact, it was McGrath who turned him onto the sport in the first place. He saw a video of the supercross champion when he was 5. After that, he asked his father if he could get a dirt bike for Christmas if he got straight A’s in school. His father told him he could get anything he wanted.
That was enough motivation for Goins. And on Christmas Day, a dirt bike was sitting under the tree.
“Jeremy McGrath started me off,” Goins said. “Then to get his scholarship. It’s a blessing. It’s not like this happens every day.”
Goins has been following his passion for 14 years. He was out at the track almost every weekend. When the close of his senior year drew near, he had to make a decision about what he wanted to do with it.
“Financially, it’s hard to go pro,” Goins said. “So, instead of going pro, why not work in the field with them?”
After graduation from Strawberry Crest High School last year, he enjoyed just 10 days off for summer before starting his training at the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, in Orlando. Since then, he has worked to obtain a certification from BMW. Now, he’s trying to get his Kawasaki certification. With the scholarship, Goins is determined to get certified in the rest of the manufacturers the institute offers. That includes Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.
“We’re thrilled that Cameron achieved this accomplishment,” said Steve McElfresh, campus president at the Orlando campus of Universal Technical Institute. “His determination to work and attend school full time speaks volumes about the passion that fuels all of our students.”
Goins attends to classes year-round, commuting from Dover and working at his parents machine shop at the same time.
“There’s real-life situations there, with the motors and everything versus going to school,” Goins said. “It helps me out.”
This time next year, Goins hopes to be done with all his certifications. And his eyes are still set on the track. His ultimate goal is to snag a position on a race team — a gig that would require traveling throughout the United States.
Goins has some solid leads from friends he’s made in the industry.
“If you want something, go get it,” Goins said.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.