Photography: Andrew Campo/Brent Stallo 

Perhaps the most rewarding part of our job is being able to watch riders progress throughout their career. Seeing a rider reach a new plateau after years of hard work is, well, it's cool. It's different for each individual. Some peak early and burn out late, some struggle early and peak late, some are always on top and some will never find their way outside the tight confines of the mid pack. Everyone finds their way, though, and it's interesting to see how and when different riders do so.

 
Beau Hudson is a rider that, at 15 years old, is coming into his own. Always a fast top ten national rider, Beau has struggled in the past to find his way into the top five on a consistent basis. A once quiet kid from Pilot Point, Texas, Beau is finally speaking up. "I want to win this year, and I'm at the point where I feel I can," said Beau.

 
It won't be easy. Lining up against guys like Eli Tomac, Max Anstie, Justin Bogle, Gannon Audette, Lance Vincent, Jacob Hayes and the rest of the Supermini class never is. Will Hudson find his way to the top of the podium in '08? That's for Beau to decide. One this is for sure, though, he's got the talent to do so.

What's going on, Beau?
Ah, nothing much. Just out here in California eating at a Mexican restaurant with the Craig's. We just took a lunch break. We rode the big bike practice out at Perris this morning and we're going back for the little bike practice after lunch.

 How's the riding out there going?
This is only our first day riding, but everything is going good so far.

 Will you be riding big bikes at all this year?
No, not really. This was one of my first times on it. I'll be on 85s all year. I may decide to get some big bikes after Loretta's, but we really haven't decided yet.

Won't you have to? Isn't this your last year on a Supermini?
I'm 15 now, so technically I can ride Supermini again next year. It really just depends on how things go this year.

You had what many are calling a break out ride in your final moto at Lake Whitney. Take me through the moto?
I got off the gate in second and was able to make the pass for first pretty early on. From that point I led the race for next three laps until I started making mistakes. I felt really good, but a few mistakes killed me. That's when (Max) Anstie, (Eli) Tomac and (Justin) Bogle got around me. I ended up 4th in the moto and 4th overall.  

I know that moto didn't turn out how you would have liked, but you have to be pumped to run out front for that long. Has this changed your outlook on the rest of the season?
It definitely has. It did a lot for my confidence, that's for sure. I want to win now. I've always wanted to win, but now I truly feel like I can do it.

Back to preparing for Vegas, how long have you been in California?
We just got here yesterday. I'm out here training with Mike Craig until Vegas. We will stay here for a day or so then head up to Vegas for a school before World Mini.

How is working with Mike going? Is he the only guy you are currently working with?
Working with Mike is going great. Riding with Christian really seems to be helping. I really think it's going to help moving into Vegas and the rest of the year. I'm not only working with Mike, though. I've been working with Brandon Beabout from Motocross Training Camp (www.mtcmoto.com). Brandon is a good friend of mine and he's been helping me out for a long time.

Have you done any area qualifiers for Loretta's yet?
Yeah, I did the Whitney warm up, with was actually a qualifier as well, and then last weekend I went to Tennessee for the North Central qualifier at Grand River Road. Everything went good in Tennessee. I won both my classes.

Are you using the North Central as a back up regional in case things don't go your way in the South Central?
Yeah, the South Central regional at Freestone is the weekend before the North Central, which is at MC Motopark in Illinois. I'll do Freestone first and use MC Motopark as a back up.

Any plans after World Mini?
I think I am going to head down to Mississippi with the Craig's to train for a while. Everything's been working out really well so far, so I'm going to stick with it.

Well, that just about wraps up Number Check for this week. Good luck and we'll see ya in Vegas.
Thanks, man. See ya there.