Bird Dog
I’m not a trainer. I’m not a pro. My kids don’t ride very well and I can’t claim many accolades in my own racing career. But what I do have is time in the trenches—two decades of watching amateur motocross more obsessively than just about anyone.
From James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto to Adam Cianciarulo, Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, and Jason Anderson—we’ve been lucky enough to study the rise of nearly every top rider since 2005. And while I don’t twist the throttle for a living, everyone at Vurb has spent enough time dissecting footage, breaking down styles, and nerding out on bench racing debates to spot the real ones before the rest of the world catches on.
We watch every coast, every condition. From dusty locals in the Southwest to rutted-out nationals in the Southeast. We’ve just about seen it all.
So why the backstory? Because two kids are starting to separate themselves from the pack—and we think they’ve got it. The rare mix of natural talent and relentless work ethic that this sport demands.
Jett Rau and Beckham Smith. Get familiar.
Jett Rau, out of Big Sky, Montana, is currently ranked #2 in the country for 2025 on the Vurbmoto Prospect app, and #43 all-time. His résumé? Six state championships, eleven AMA Featured Event wins, and five AMA Major titles. He’s built on emotion but is also the kind of kid that can shake off a bad start and still charge to the front.
Then there’s Beckham Smith out of Texas. The numbers don’t lie—#5 in 2025, #48 all-time, with 21 state championships, 13 Featured Event wins, and 21 AMA Major titles. Beckham brings heat. Speed, style, and that Texas grit that can’t be coached.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
These two don’t just race each other—they train together. Day in and day out at Game Moto in Oklahoma. And instead of letting the competition drive a wedge between them, it’s made them better.
“Iron sharpens iron,” says Greg Albertson of Game Moto. “It’s rare to see two top-tier kids, same age, same classes, and instead of trying to avoid each other, they lean into it. They compete, they study film together, they push each other. They’ve got different strengths, but the same goal—and they make each other better.”
It’s a mindset shift. A glimpse into what the next generation of elite amateur moto looks like—not just fast kids, but students of the game. Friends who want to beat each other, but also want to see each other succeed. That’s a dangerous combo for the rest of the class.
Jett and Beckham may come from different parts of the country, but when the gate drops, it’s not about zip codes. It’s about who’s put in the work. And at Game Moto, the work never stops.
