dizzying array of classes makes the amateur landscape hard to understand, but we’ve found one nearly surefire predictor of talent: the 13-year-old division of 85cc racing is the true all-star class. At a younger age, riders can mix and match 65cc and 85cc racing, and older riders can jump to big bikes early or stay on minis late, so the best don’t always race the best. Win on an 85 at age 13, though, and you’re a bad little dude.

Check out the list of AMA National Champions from Loretta Lynn’s in this class, starting 30 years ago and stretching to 2009. In 2010, the (12-13) division switched to a (12-14) division, obscuring the results a bit. Occasionally the (12-13) designation returns, though, and Garrett Marchbanks, Carson Mumford, Dilan Schwartz, Matt LeBlanc, and Ryder DiFrancesco have claimed titles there. Also, if you’re looking for this year’s hits, the 85 (10-12) class might provide the closest data set, as riders are forced off of 65s after age 11. KTM Orange Brigade riders Haiden Deegan and Daxton Bennick, who split the 85 (10-12) Modified and Limited titles this year and are both 13, are in very good company.