DAILY BREAD SHANNON TARNOW
The 710 of Shannon Tarnow is one of the quickest riders to hit the track rolling into the 2025 racing season. The 9-year-old hoists plates to the sky like it’s his 9 to 5. The Texan was an animal in Florida at Mini O’s, putting up impressive scores on the supercross track and bringing home the gold in the 51cc (4-8) limited motocross portion of the event. At Loretta’s, Shannon would battle his way to the podium in the stacked Micro 3 (7-8) limited class, taking 3rd overall at the Ranch. Tarnow has his sights set on championships in the new year. Tarnow is currently stationed at Tapt House, guided by Taylor Painter and Co., where he is dialing in the mind, body, and spirit to prepare for spring nationals. A typical day for Tarnow consists of two trips to the gym, time on track, and always finding time to play with friends before finishing up the school work. Shannon says: “It’s a pretty awesome life”. Shannon recently climbed aboard the Kawasaki 85 and is getting quite comfortable with the newfound power. All eyes are on the 710 heading into 2025. We sat down with Shannon to get the scoop.
Give us the basics.
Shannon Wayne Tarnow, age 9, big town of Thrall, TX….jk
Tell us about getting your first motorcycle.
I was four years old and I called it Purple Nurple. 🤣
Describe a typical day in your life.
Typical day: Wake up early and do a little school, head to the gym for a morning warm-up, RIDE, take a small breather before heading to the gym for an afternoon workout, then I play with friends till my mom calls me in for dinner and finish up schoolwork. It’s a pretty awesome life
If you were forced to have a non-athletic career, what would it be?
I would love to get paid playing video games but since I don’t have time to be a gamer, I would probably take after my dad and start myself an AC and heating company 🤷🏼♀️
Tell us about your funnest family member.
Definitely my youngest sister Joi. She says the funniest things
Best moment on a motocross bike.
My absolute best moment was jumping both doubles on the motocross track at Mini O’s on my Cobra JR.
Describe your training program.
Tapt house has been my home base. Taylor Painter is awesome. We also travel around to visit different trainers and get different perspectives. All trainers are different, and it’s great to take something different from each one! I’m also always on the hunt for tracks that are open with my dad. My dad was pretty awesome on a bike back in the day, and he’s always helping me out and giving me great advice when we head out to tracks together.
Favorite pre-race meal?
Dino nuggets; couldn’t live without them.
Gnarliest crash you’ve ever had.
Mini O’s 2024! Hit a hole heading up a face and went flying over the bars, then got nailed by a rider coming up behind me… I couldn’t breathe, but I caught my breath and was insistent on finishing the race.
Best road trip story.
When I was four years old, drove to Washougal, WA with my dad and his buddy Aaron. They drove nonstop for 32 hours. We slept in a tent (they froze because they hadn’t properly prepared for the cooler weather) and I ended up with a HUGE tick on my head BUT I won that regional! I Left there with first place and my ticket for Lorettas at the age of 4! It was so awesome.
Worst road trip story.
They are all pretty dang good, but I did lose my headphones on my way to race the Baja Brawl, so that wasn’t great. lol
What do you love about being at the track besides racing your bike?
Playing with all of my friends. Riding around and doing fun stuff with my buddies.
What are you looking forward to getting out of this sport?
To learn that achieving goals isn’t easy.
Give some props to everyone helping you out.
My Mom, dad, and sisters. Cobra, Minton (always there to help me out with anything), Viral goggles (they have supported me since the very beginning), O’Neil also has supported me since the p dub days, Dunlop tires, Roost, Bell helmets, TJ’s Cycle, Don Ringler Chevrolet, Dirt Bike Kidz, EZ designs, DT1filters, Asterisk, PR2 suspension.
What are your superstitions, weird habits, or routines?
I always pray with my mom before I head to the gate and then my dad prays over me on the gate
What is the fitness routine or training regimen off the bike?
My bmx bike or mountain bike are my favorites but when those aren’t available, my trampoline in the backyard or my VR boxing is something I use when I’m home, that is also a ridiculously good workout.
Give us a hot take.
I’m a pretty chill person, I love riding and I really love the way it keeps my family together.
Time away from the bike leaves me hunting for bugs or any kind of cold-blooded animal. I love being around nature and building little housing spots for the creatures I find. I don’t ever keep them long but I definitely enjoy watching and learning about them.
Do you have any hidden talents or weird skills?
I can talk like a monster and have done so since I was 2…..I’m also freakishly fast, always down for a foot race.
