Tyler Collingwood
The 2025 JS7 Spring Championship at Freestone has been going on the last couple days and Friday we started crowning a few champions. While my normal job had kept me from tuning into every single lap today, I was able to sneak away, get on the tube, and make sure to watch a few key races that featured some heavy hitters. While there is still a ton of racing to do this weekend, I wanted to give you guys a few riders that have really stood out so far and that should be on your radar for the 2025 season.
Jett Rau
Jett is no stranger to winning and is quickly letting everyone know that. Winning multiple championships last year, with titles at Loretta Lynn’s and Mini O’s, Jett has moved up from his 50cc and is now competing in the 65 (7-9) and 65 open classes. While I knew the kid was fast, he has really caught my attention this week. Rau has won 4 out of 5 of his 65 motos and has already taken home two championships, one of which he won by over a minute! Yes, he won by over a minute against a stacked field. Rau has one more moto in the 65cc (7-9) Limited and he has the chance to wrap up a title in all 3 of his classes.
Gauge Brown
Gauge caught my attention at Loretta’s this year where 100% belonged on the podium, but a DNF and a 25th in two motos would set him back. Minus those two races, Brown finished in the top 5 in 4 of his 6 motos and even put himself on the podium. While the overall results didn’t show how quick he really was, I knew I had to keep an eye on this kid. Fast forward to this week, Gauge is exactly where I expected him to be. The kid is racing five classes and he’s in the hunt in each one of them. Brown has yet to finish outside of the top 5 and has won 3 of his 8 motos so far and has managed to pick up a championship Mini Sr 1 and two second place finishes in 85cc (10-14) and Mini Sr 2. I really think this kid is going to be something special and is going to have a breakout year.
Max Shane
Max moved up to the 250 class last year where he was aboard the NSA Yamaha. After Loretta’s we would learn the NSA team would be shutting down and Max would need to find a new home. The Husky amateur team picked up the California kid and he has been on rails this week. Max is competing in five classes and has won 4 of his 7 motos and backed up his other motos with two second place finishes. Unfortunately, he had DNF in his 2nd moto of his 450B class due to a bike failure.
Max wrapped his 250B class with a second-place finish and sits tied for first in 2 of his last 3 classes, with his third class being a second. Shane has been phenomenal this week and has the chance to take home three titles to finish his weekend. Much like Brown, I think Max is right on that edge of becoming a big name in the amateur world and just needs to have his breakout season on the big bike.
