His hero is Stifler from American Pie, he loves radio control cars and he just happens to be one of Motocross’s most promising young talents.

Welcome to the world of Luke Norris...

Like many renowned sportsmen, Luke Norris’s obsession with sport began at an early age. He got his first bike at the tender age of 4 and was out flexing his racing muscles age 6. It’s fair to say he hasn’t looked back since.

With school well behind him, Luke is now a full-time professional rider and has ambitions to race all over the world. He aims to be in the top 10 in the British MX2 series - one of the most challenging series in the country - by the end of 2012; and he’s set his sights on reaching the top 20 in the European MX2.

Luke is tough but charming, with self-proclaimed ‘nerves of steel’. But when all’s said and done, he’ll quite happily curl up and zone out to the dulcet tones of David Attenborough. Such are the extraordinary contradictions of one of the UK’s most promising Motocross riders.

So Luke, where did it all start?

Luke says: I first got into Motocross because my dad used to race. My mum took me to watch him race when I was tiny, so it was in my blood from the beginning.

I got my first bike when I was 4 and it wasn’t long after that I started racing. I’ve been doing it for so long now that I can’t remember life before it. Motocross is my life.

What about your dad, is he still racing?

Luke says: Unfortunately not. He always said that he’d hang up his boots once I was faster than him. So he gave it up about 3 years after I started.

What does Motocross mean to you?

Luke says: Like I said, it’s my life: it means everything to me. I eat, sleep and dream about motocross.

Because it’s dirty and dangerous, some people don’t think it’s a serious sport. But they couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a lot more than just racing around a field and it’s very, very hard work.

I love it because it’s the biggest adrenaline rush you will ever experience and it’s a world of fun!

What support do you have?

Luke says: My family are my biggest support and they are also my team: without them I wouldn't be where I am today. We all work as a team and have our own role. I also have a lot of supportive friends who help me from the side of the track. The other big support is sponsors, without them we couldn't function.

What qualities do you need to do Motocross?

Luke says: Well, to be blunt, you need to be a bit mental. Mental and tough. Tough when it comes to falling off and not letting it phase you, but also tough when it comes to perseverance. You won’t get it right first time and you have to be prepared for that.

Motocross isn’t for everyone, and you find that out soon enough.

What are your greatest achievements?

Luke says: I’d say 2009/10 year was my best riding year. I achieved national results in both the BYMX (British Youth Motocross Championships) and MXY2, which runs alongside the main adult British Championships.

Before then I was pretty consistent in the British Supercross Championships, getting the runner-up spot from 2004 onwards.

What are your future goals?

Luke says: It’s hard to make that transition from racing as an amateur to being a professional competitor, so this last year has been pretty tough for me. I’m now riding against grown men, so in many ways it’s a different ball game, but I’m getting there.

I’ll be taking part in the Maxxis British Motocross Championship in the MX2 class for the year and hopefully the European Championship rounds. One of the down sides of competing is the cost to enter races, which means that unless I can get the right level of sponsorship, there are quite a few that I can’t afford to travel to.  So for now I’m sticking closer to home: UK, France, Holland, Germany & Belgium.

Of course the British MX2 Series and the European MX2 are also hugely important.

I would love to make it to World Championship Level and also race in America. And I want to see motocross become an Olympic sport, because it deserves to be there.

For any would-be Motocrossers, what kit do you need to get started?

Luke says: Of course you need the bike, but you also need a lot of protective gear e.g. helmet, boots, gloves, goggles, body armour and knee protection. Don’t even think about getting into it without that.

It isn’t cheap, but if you’re into it then it’s worth the investment.

It also helps to have supportive people around you. It’s not absolutely essential, but having the backing of your family and friends gets you through the hard times.

What would you say to other young people who might want to get into the sport?

Luke says: You should try Motocross because it’s totally different to any other sport and not something everyone gets to experience. But you need to have your wits about you and know what you’re getting into.

Go and watch people first, chat to the riders, and smell the atmosphere down at the track. There’s nothing like it.

Tell us something weird about you?

Luke says: I love watching 'life' or any other programme that has David Attenborough narrating. I also love Radio Control Cars, which is a big obsession of mine.

Who are your heroes?

Luke says: My biggest hero in Motocross has to be James Stewart. My biggest non-sporting hero has to be Sean William Scott (Stiffler from American Pie), he’s funny and totally weird. What’s not to like?