As a young kid I was fascinated by motorcycles in general. I got my first dirtbike at the age of 8, but not after a few four wheelers and my parents trying to talk me out of it. It was a ’91 Yamaha YZ80. Although I thought it was all that and a bag of chips, it was slightly worked. I putted around some trails by the house but soon found out about a local track, “Skeeter.” Not long after I made it out for a Sunday practice. But that was all it took, I had the poison in my veins! I drank, ate and slept motorcycles. In my mind nothing else mattered. The next weekend my dad took me to my first race in Bastrop, TX. It was muddy; I had never ridden the track and ran number 4 to represent my childhood hero, Damon Bradshaw. But no excuses, I was lapped 3 times but despite the embarrassment I thought I did awesome!

Time went on and I began to learn from my mistakes and practice a few times a week. I made the move over to Kawasaki approximately one year into racing and was given the opportunity to represent Kawasaki’s top amateur program “team green” at the beginning of ’97. I won only 1 major title on small bikes at Lake Whitney’s Spring National in ’97 in the 12-13 stock division despite numerous top three and top five at all the top amateur nationals. I began to dominate local and regional events. Gaining confidence and beginning to cross train with my father as my mentor.

At 5’9 and 155 lbs I moved up to 125’s in ’99. Although I was ideal height and weight I struggled the first few months to say the least. I continued to push through and find my comfort zone and began to dominate the intermediate class throughout Texas. Going through the motions and continually getting better I continued to train with my father and use the local pro’s such as Demuth, Reed, Mennenga and Marley (to name a few) for a gauge on me speed wise. Starting to find my rhythum and realize I belonged at the front of the pack at each race, I won the supercross event at the 2000 Florida Winter Olympics in both the 250 B stock and modified classes. Rolling into the next season, it took me a few months to find my niche but came out with four out of four overall wins at my Loretta Lynn Amateur Regional Qualifier in 2001. Winning nine of twelve motos entered, it was a good race to say the least. Ponca City and Loretta Lynn’s came along and my best finishes at each were just inside the top three with only winning one 250 moto. That was not quite what I was hoping for. The Texas/Oklahoma Pro Circuit Series came up next and turned out to be a great series for me. At 5 rounds I raced the 125 B and open class along with the 250 B and open, out of 20 individual motos, I won 17! Along with the Dunlop high point award recipient, what a year!

The week before the last round of the Texas/Oklahoma PC Series, I flew out to California to test the new aluminum frame Honda CR125R to race for American Honda and Honda of Houston. With the contract I dreamt of staring me in the face, I signed instantly! Working with the well known/AMAZING HHR group starting in ’02, we came out swinging at each and every race. This was the best move I could have made in my career at this point. I finished inside the top three at each amateur national in the A class, challenging for the win at more than a few. Once again the Loretta Lynn Amateur Regional qualifier was back, only this time at Lake Whitney (one of my favorite tracks). I entered in four classes again and making a repeat going nine for twelve only now being an expert, we raced twenty minute motos. I went four for four overalls again! All my dreams seemed to be coming true slowly but surely! Next week was the famous Mammoth Mountain race and this is where took a turn for the bad. My qualifier I had the far outside gate with one of my hero's, Jeremy McGrath to the inside of me. After an extremely bad start, I moved up to ninth. With the lites main on my mind, I was ready to turn things around only to make it to the second lap and a scary crash resulting in a broken left collarbone. With four weeks off and limited ways of training, I began to cycle on my wind trainer daily. My father and I got things lined up to make a comeback at Loretta’s (should have been my year to win, had not the collarbone held me back, I believe) and leaving with a sixth in the 250A and a very frustrating/confusing 125A three motos, I believe I left with a twentieth overall with a DNF in moto one. First moto, moving into third as grass made its way into my jet in the carburetor resulting in not knowing when the engine would cut out or not along with a few tip over’s throughout the week, it was not what I was expecting. The very next weekend I made my pro debut in Millville, MN. After qualifying for the race I think nerves took over and by the third lap of the opening moto I was cramping up from dehydration. I finished the moto but that was a wrap on the day (after needing IV fluids). I finished out the next round without qualifying and tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder prior to the finale at Steel City. I had the shoulder looked at and surgery leaving me with three months with no riding or training.

Contract time came back around for ’03 and things got even better making it very easy and smart to re-sign. Now things kept getting more complicated, with a training injury I now needed surgery on my right shoulder keeping me out of action for the Lake Whitney Spring Classic and GNC Final. Time lingered on and here came the Las Vegas World Mini and the second moto of the week I collided with another rider dislocating my left shoulder. Wrap on the weekend(but David Bailey kept me a little entertained while we waited to drive to the ER. I made sure things were “ok” with all the ligaments and tendons and started at ground zero again and re-started my climb to the top. Wanting to race a few supercrosses to get my feet wet so to speak, injuries cancelled those plans. My highlight of ’03 was a 2nd in the 250 stock division (another shoulder issue once again. Time went on…no Loretta Lynn’s because the family needed us home.

Obviously, a little confused of what to do about the Loretta’s situation. Knowing I could have good results but the first motos had come to a wrap. I continued to work forward and begin to go over contracts for 2004 as I stayed race ready. I was really excited at this point because Honda was releasing its 250F! I wanted to be part of the 4-stroke’s potential, the ease of throttle control, power ratio, everything about it. Plus, at 175, the CR125 needed a lighter pilot. I was invited by Dirt Rider Magazine to test all the ‘04’s (2 & 4-strokes/each brand). 2004 my contract at Honda was 2-stroke only. I turned it down (not sure how smart that was considering all my teammates had the same deal, only they sold the 2-smokes and bought thumpers. I didn’t weigh all possible actions. Although I should have because Honda can build champions!

I made my move to Bardwell Yamaha and contested the eastern region sx championship with Ryan Clark’s Team Solitaire. As a lack of preparation in all areas pretty much, I didn’t make any main events although being in each night show besides my first. Ryan was not pleased enough to invite me outdoors so that’s when I started brain storming for the summer. I saw an ad for Riverside Yamaha (Alberta, Canada) looking for a west rider. I next day’d my resume followed by a phone call to let them know I’m there guy. We signed about a week later. There was great management much like HHR, great bike, good suspension. All I had to do was be at the race track and everything else was taken care of. Very nice! I studied tapes, went up early to get acclimated to the environment. I finished 5th overall in the points which was an eye opener. Slightly disappointing. I worked with the Maestro Suzuki team for the winter while we prepped for 2005 supercross at MTF. Colleen helped me tremendously as well as Davi.

I arrived at indy on a JM Racing/Star racing YZ250F. I felt great and as the result, I finished 14th. Not too bad I didn’t think considering the previous year along with my preparation in Georgia. I came to Houston after the race then straight back to MTF. We (Davi and I) rode Tuesday and Wednesday but my bike was making this weird sound. Finally, the bike seized on the face of one of the triples. I dislocated both shoulders, my toe nail fell off, broke my left wrist and looked like I cleaned some pavement with my face at about 35 MPH. It took me a while to heal, no outdoor offers (US or Canada). After taking some time off I rode Glen Helen on my Bardwell Yamaha (the final round of the outdoor nationals) finishing 21st overall.

I really began to think… What’s wrong with my program. I made a call to Michael Keating (my trainer) and we came up with a way to work together physically. It changed my motocross world. Mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. Jogging 30 minutes turned into a minimum of an hour. Keating was able to get inside my head and helped me to believe in James Marshall. I went to Anaheim 1 on a Bardwell Yamaha, Enzo, Moose racing, EBR, Scott goggles, Shoei, Bel-Ray oils, White Bros., Bonehead Graphics, Larry Hughes, Dave and my parents. After getting to southern California a few days prior, I knew I had done everything possible within James Marshall to make a great run into supercross 2006. With a few successful moments at the opener with leading a lap in my semi qualifier, we were happy but wanted more out of Phoenix. We stayed with JG33 the next week a few days so we could ride his track & at the Yamaha test track. The test ride at the Yamaha track was fun and really beneficial in all areas for me. That 250F was UNREAL! It was like riding a 450 in the lites class. For whatever reason, I left in the boxvan with the same deal I showed up with, “my own!” but I have to admit it was nice to put a face with the Outlaw and prove I wasn’t a mechanic to the YOT guys! On the drive home and training later that night, I thought about the factory 250F I got to cruise around on. I could not forget about…though I didn’t want to. We put in a few more solid practices and training sessions before Arizona, I missed the main by two. Going into A2 we took things a little more casually, which I needed, I missed it by one in my LCQ to get the RacerX Gas Card. Being a recipient of the infamous RacerX Gas Card was incredible, but tasting the main event was sure nice! Another week in the books and San Fran lied in the path of the amp’d mobile SX series. After weather conditions post-phoning practice for a few valuable hours, I easily qualified for the night show after riding great! Everything was coming very simply to me throughout practice, but things were to change come race time. Struggling in the extremely muddy conditions, I did not even come close to the 20 lap main event. As Cali’s run for supercross was just about over, I wanted to be in a main event soon. A3 proved to be no different for me, missing the main by one behind Tim Ferry in our semi qualifier. Only this week was a little tougher for me after a nasty crash in practice and dislocating my shoulder and getting a little bruised up. I did not watch the mains from the stands. Instead, I headed back to the boxvan and prep for the next weeks training and practice. I knew I belonged in the main therefore in order to watch it, it would require bike, gear and 20 solid laps. Not knowing what the future would hold for me, I would enjoy my last week of chasing my childhood dream. Gosh, it feels bittersweet! I remember it like yesterday, but still seems like a century ago at the same time. Anyways, I cycled this week instead of my normal jogging program because of my crash at the previous race where I pulled my groin. Dave (my personal, yet awesome mechanic) and I went surfing on Thursday after practice to get some salt water treatment before heading east. Well, we attempted surfing I should say! We had an Absolute terrible try at it! I just straight sucked! I REALLY enjoyed everything life brought me to face, good or bad, I got a chance some people can’t even dream of. I broke cervical 5-6 in my neck. I am now paralyzed from the arms down… my journey continues…

James Marshall