AMSOIL Swapmoto Race Series Rider Profile | Krue Morais

Age: 8

Hometown: Murrietta, CA

Sponsors: Alpinestars, KTM, 100%, Pro Circuit

It’s always exciting for us when we hear that a rider is entering his first race ever at the AMSOIL Swapmoto Race Series, and young Krue Morais lined up for his first race ever last weekend at round two of the El Dorado MX Series, held at State Fair MX. Son of former professional racer Ryan Morais (and nephew of Andrew Short!), Krue has grown up around motorcycles but actually has his sights set on a career in golf. Still, he possesses a natural gift in the saddle of a mini bike, and he easily came away with a few moto wins aboard his KTM 50 SX. Interesting is the fact that Krue was the main test rider in the development of the exciting new KTM SX-E 5 electric minibike. We caught up with the mini Morais in between motos to see what makes him tick…

Today is your first race ever?

Yes, it is. But I have been riding for four years.

Were you always wanting to race, or was this a new idea?

So we are going to do the KTM Jr. SX Challenge at Las Vegas later this year, and my dad wanted me to do a few races before then to get used to it. So we just came out to State Fair today and raced!

Tell me about last night…were you nervous?

No, just really excited! 

Your dad is a famous pro racer and so is your uncle. Is that kind of cool?

Oh, yeah!

Ryan and Krue Morais

What do you know about your dad’s racing career before he retired?

I know that he never won a championship. 

Oh come on, he was a really good professional!

Yeah, he was.

Okay, I know that you played a big role in the development of the new KTM SX-E 5. Was that exciting?

I was actually the person that tested the e-bike. I brought one with us today to cruise around the pits on. but yeah, it was really cool to be one of the first kids to get to ride it and help test it.

How did testing work? Would they bring a bike out for you to try and then ask you tons of questions about it later?

So basically they would give us a bike and ask me to go ride it, and then after they would ask me how it was. And then I would respond to them and they would say, “OK,”

What do you think about the electric bike?

It is super cool because you can change the power really easily. If you want to ride it around the pits, you can just put the power on setting 1 or 2.  If you are riding a mini track, you can put it on 3 or 4, and if you are racing or riding a big track you can put it on 5 or 6 and it goes quick. 

Why didn’t you race the SX-E 5 today?

Because my dad wants me to get used to racing the KTM 50 SX gas bike again before I get to race in Las Vegas.

Which bike are you faster on?

I think I am faster on the gas 50. 

In preparation for the Jr. SX Challenge will you start training on a Supercross track soon?

I think so? I hope so.

What are your goals for that race?

To win, and get invited to the Monster Energy Cup.

Do you have a dance planned out for when you get introduced on the big screen at Supercross?

No! (Laughs)

Okay, how far do you want to go with this dirt bike racing? What do you want to do when you grow up?

I want to be a golfer when I grow up, but if I win these next few motos maybe I’ll be a dirt bike racer too.

The Morais family: Ryan, Krue, and Hannah. We’re betting Hannah is rooting for golf!

What do you like about golf?

I like how fun it is, and every hole is a new chance to get a hole in one.

Do your buddies at school know that you ride dirt bikes?

Yes, and they all think it is cool.

Do you ever wear your jersey to school?

(Laughs) No!