User:Holysjm

Kim Min-jae, Motocycle racer
Kim Min-jae was born on April 03, 2008 in Sanbon, Gyeonggi Province.

Between his father, who majored in architecture and design, and his mother, who major ed in pedagogy, he set the direction for the future through various experiences and a broader perspective.

At the beginning of elementary school, he focused on studying with his mother's opinion, but he went to a nearby (Hannam-dong KTM) motorcycle store in 2013 by the recommendation of his father, who was interested in sports and was watching his non exhaustive physical strength, and with the introduction of the manager at the time, he first experienced motorcycles at the Motocross Education Center called Off Valley in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do.

Kim Min-jae was definitely a different child from the moment he first encountered the motorcycle.

Korea lacked a lot of education and infrastructure for Motocross. However, Min-jae carefully observed the senior rider's way of riding so that he can ride better than his past self, and soon he started jumping two months after entering, and repeated more than 20 times on the spot so as not to forget the feeling of his successful jump.

At that time, he started to do Enduro Bike along with motorcycle, and Enduro Bike also showed his full ability throughout the rough mountainous areas nearby, and stories about Min-jae, who rode exceptionally hard at the time, got spread to broadcasters and appeared on the air several times, but among them, he was on the SBS show titled "this is happening" as a young motorcycle rookie. (link)

The broadcast was re-edited on YouTube, and it currently has more than 2 million views.

Minjae also became more passionate about these changes and began to challenge himself more boldly. There were many competitions related to Motocross, but the competition organised by Cheongsong-gun was the biggest competition in our country. At first, he won 3rd place, but eventually he won 1st place in the last competition.

Thanks to this, Minjae was also moving forward with great confidence toward his goal everyday.

However, in this process, a great ordeal came. Poor conditions for learning eventually created accidents. A novice who violated the rules at the Motocross practice range jumped in reverse and collided head-on with Minjae in the air. Minjae crashed on the spot with a motorcycle, and was eventually taken to the hospital.

Fortunately, it wasn't a major injury, but he fractured his collarbone and that season was a lethargic year where he couldn't do anything more.

In mid-2022, I met a KTM official in Hannam-dong again, and he learned basic maintenance from the advice that he needed t o have knowledge of mechanics to ride a motorcycle. In the process, he was introduced to supermotards, and MinJae was also interested. For the first time in the second half of 2022, he worked with supermotard at Yeongam Circuit and had a few small competitions. Of course, at first it wasn't a good grade, but Minjae quickly began to adapt to the new environment again. Looking at the situation at that time, Minjae was very well equipped to ride a motorcycle. The stadium was also great.

However, it came to the conclusion that at that time, Minjae's short height and lack of physical strength was not enough t operform well right away with a supermotard.

The next model was KTM's RC390 model. This bike was very suitable for Minjae to ride. In the meantime, v arious techniques learned in motocross have been of great help to circuit bikes.

The most surprising thing was the quick adapt ability. he was able to adapt quickly because Minjae met a good teacher. With the introduction of an official from Hannam-dong KTM, a great opportunity was created to participate in the Malaysian Track Day hosted by KTM headquarters.

Minjae met Lee Kyu-ho, coach of Gwangju KTM, who had a good impression on each other while using the same room in Malaysia. After returning to Korea, Min-jae explained to his father about coach Lee Kyu-ho, and his father contacted him asking him t o give Min-jae a chance to grow into a player, and coach Lee Kyu-ho Happily agreed. The goal was firm. It's a way to spend the maximum amount of time on the

circuit before it's too late. He participated in most of the competitions and track days in South Korea in 2023, and even the events on the mini-track. That's why he participat ed in almost every week's competition or Track Day.

He also participated in some competitions or events held overseas. Participating in Japanese champion Hiroki Ono's slalom education, Minjae learned as much as he c ould about what he lacked and began to create his own way of driving.

What was really hard for Minjae to play many matches in 2023 was that he had t o play against adults who were not suitable for the age of 15, unlik e the situation where junior matches such as Japan nearby and Spain far in Southeast Asia were active. In accordance with coach Lee Kyu-ho's educational principles, He never tuned the motorcycle, and it was a c ondition that he had to win with his ability.

At first, it was quite difficult, but most of the motorcycles that competed with each other were fully tuned, so it was really hard to get into the podium. Regardless I think it was a really good choice since it took MinJae to progress in to a better player.

It would be a great pleasure to increase MinJae's ability by having the opportunity to race overseas and to

become a great player as he dreams.