We all have riding stories. Some close calls, some sketchy lines, some strange ways of being introduced to riding, some bad accidents, and best of all – some stories of success. We want to hear and share your stories. If you’ve got one, let us know.

Here is one I came across – a story of talent, perseverance, and success. 

Brian Foster and I first met at Jesuit High School in Sacramento. He was on the brink of launching his pro career and I was just getting into the sport. Two years have passed since then and I recently met with Brian to catch up, and see how life has been as a privateer trying to “make it.” The story he shared with me was nothing short of amazing.

Brian started riding when he was three years old. He says he was “born into it” with both his dad and his older brother riding. He won his first race ever at Sacramento Raceway when he was 3 on a PW 50 and as they say, “the rest is history.” He soared through the amateur ranks on 60’s and 80’s travelling to all the national races his family could afford, and a few years later secured enough pro points to get his Pro license.

“The call” came in his first semester of college at Irvine. Storm Lake Honda, a team based in Iowa, offered him a contract to race the 09’ arenacross series. After dominating the first round, launching into first and second place with his teammate, Brian wanted to have similar success in round two. He hit the practice track hard, staying late into the night perfecting a section that he seemed to be struggling with.

Before he knew it he was in neutral going over the lip of the 60 foot finish line jump. “The front end dropped out from under me and there was nothing I could do.” He landed feet first on the landing and his body crumpled underneath him. He wouldn’t stand for another six months. 

The x-ray told it all. He had shattered both of his heels, splitting his left one into 15 pieces. He chose to have the surgery done closer to home in Nevada and was given a blood thinner so that he wouldn’t clot up as he travelled. After having an allergic reaction to the blood thinner and being revived by the hospital staff, he took a risk and made the trip with no blood thinners.

The surgery lasted 5 hours and was followed up by physical therapy every day for six months. Eager to recover, Brian was on crutches in April, walking in boots in May, and riding again in June. He qualified for the main at Mammoth in his first ride back on a borrowed bike, renewed his outdoor pro license, and raced Washougal and Pala in the 250 pro class.

Things were looking up for Brian after making nothing short of a miraculous return. He travelled to Nebraska to start training for the AMA Supercross series. Riding with the Privateer Racing League, Brian rode with a trainer every day for three months getting back in peak riding shape. Then, on January 8^th, the day before Anaheim One, tragedy struck once again.

Brian took a crossbar to his stomach and tore his liver and chipped a kidney. After spending two more months recovering, Brian returned for the last three rounds of the Supercross series, making the night show at Seattle and Salt Lake City.

Brian is back to riding once again working harder than ever to make it or break it, and spends his spare time teaching kids how to ride in the Sacramento Area. He is so grateful for all the people who have supported him through his riding and his injuries, and has scheduled a follow up appointment in Reno to remove all of the metal from his heels. After that, it’s back to training full time – all in the quest for an injury free pro Supercross season.

Brian’s final words to me were “I’ll be ready this time.” Something tells me he will. 

Brian can be contacted at 530-651-4660

Brian emphasized to me that despite the injuries he truly is living the dream. He is doing what he has wanted to do since he was three years old. None of this would have been possible without his sponsors. A huge thank you goes out to -

Utopia, EVS, Rockwell, Renthal, No-Toil, RK/Excel, Deft Family, FMF, Hinson, Works Connection, Guts Racing, Posey Racing, Moto Star, Speed Technologies, Privateer Racing League, Team Gus, Moto Concepts, his trainer Bryan McDonald and his friends and family.