'Never too late': 70-year-old Apex man is motocross champion

Ike De Jager, who is originally from South Africa, said he's considered a favorite to win in his age class of 65 and older.

"If you ride, by the end of the day, there's not a bone in your body that is not sore," De Jager said.

For 20 years, De Jager has made a living training others in the sport to help fund his own racing goals. He says success requires discipline.

"Everything has to be right," De Jager said. "You have to eat properly, you have to train properly, you have to have a good night's sleep."

This year, De Jager's goal was to seek a second championship in the World Vets Motocross Championship in California, but the costs almost caused him to bow out.

Owners of this track at the North Carolina Motor Park near Henderson provided the bike and free access to a training course.

"They said, 'Whatever else you need, just put it together -- you're going to race the world's vets,'' he said. "You are an inspiration to all the people and we want it to be that way -- we want to be part of this journey with you."

The big race at the Glen Helen Raceway in California is the weekend of Nov. 2.