Dawsonville native Nick Barr has qualified for the largest amateur motocross race in the world, the 28th annual Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Barr competed against over 20,000 riders to earn one of 1,386 qualifying positions.

“The Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in. A win at the Amateur Nationals can serve as a springboard to a lucrative professional motocross career,” said Tim Cotter, events director.

Barr, who will attend Dawson Christian Academy this fall, has been riding since he was three. He will make the journey to Hurricane Mills with his father Gary, who is the mechanic, Mitchell Rider (head mechanic), mother Kay and brother Jacob.

The track is built on a section of Loretta Lynn’s ranch and campground. The course contains a variety of jumps, corners and other obstacles designed to test the skills and stamina of the racers.

Most of America’s top professional motocross riders like James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana and Jeremy McGrath have won the AMA championships at Loretta Lynn’s.

Last year, teenage stars such as Justin Barcia, P.J. Larsen, Darryn Durhman and Blake Wharton were awarded pro contracts after the race.