Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 25th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races and Championships, including nine MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (10 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2021 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Owen Williams
Age: 13.
Current home: Aliso Viejo, California.
Current height/weight: 5’1”/108 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2014, M1GP, Rosamond, California, 50cc Class, last place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuner/mechanic: Chad Williams (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CVMA.
Top sponsors: Calishine Racing, Boyko Racing, HJC Helmets, JP43 Training, Track Daz, Bickle Racing, Jack C, SoCal Track Days, NGK Spark Plugs, 61DTC, Raven Fabrication, Fastrack Riders, RK Chain, Cyclegear, 2WTD, Vortex, Ogio, Galfer, RPM USA.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2020 season, won CVMA 2020-2021 Winter Series 500 Supersport and Ultra Lightweight Shootout Expert Championships; 2020 season, won WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship (won 8 WERA races), won CVMA 2019-2020 Winter Series 500 SS Amateur Championship; 2019 season, won 3 WERA West Novice-class Championships (Clubman, D Superbike, Mini 50), won 20 WERA races.
2021 racing goal: To have a safe and successful first MotoAmerica season.
Racing career goal: Compete as a Pro in MotoAmerica or National-level Speedway racing.
Racing hero: Valentino Rossi.
Favorite track: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway.
Favorite hobby: Speedway racing.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Hanging out with my brother, watching TV, camping, or playing video games.
