Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 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 2022 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.
Jesse James Shedden
Age: 13.
Current home: Helendale, California.
Current height/weight: 5’2”/115 pounds.
Current school grade level: 7th grade.
Began riding at age: 3 years.
First road race: 2019, Rosamond, California, UMRA, 65cc Grand Prix, 1st place.
Current racebikes: Ohvale GP-0 160cc & 190cc, Husqvarna TC 65 & TC 85.
Current tuner/mechanic: JJ Matters/Suspension Matters.
Primary race series: Northern American Talent Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup.
Top sponsors: Atlas Speed Factory, ElevenMotorSports, Fresh N Lean, Dunlop, Bell Helmets, Suspension Matters, Alpinestars, TechSpec, Mithos, ASV, All Sport Dynamics, Maxima, Throttle Syndicate, Cycle Gear, Galfer, VNM Sports, Yoshimura, and Anthony’s Leather Works.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190cc Championship (5 wins, 7 total podiums), finished 2nd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160cc Championship (1 win, 5 total podiums), finished 14th in the World MiniGP Final in Valencia, Spain; 2020 season, won Mini 80 WERA West Sportsman Championship (2 wins, 6 total podiums), finished 2nd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190cc Championship (3 podium finishes), placed 3rd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160cc Championship (1 podium finish).
2022 racing goals: Do well in North America Talent Cup, win MotoAmerica Mini Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: To make it to MotoGP.
Racing hero: Josh Herrin.
Favorite track: Road America.
Favorite hobby: Video gaming.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Be a Unlimited Trophy Truck driver.
