Tyler Martin, a Karns City graduate, is turning professional in motocross after earning his eligibility by placing 10th in the 250 A Pro Division recently at the Loretta Lynn Amateur National Motocross Championships.

PARKER — Talk about stepping up.

Parker resident Tyler Martin, 18, a Karns City graduate this past year, is turning professional in motocross.

“I’ve applied for my license and there’s a four- or five-step process to go through,” Martin said. “You have to fill out applications, submit forms, take a concussion test. ... If I meet all the requirements — and I should — I should be cleared in two weeks.”

Martin hopes to make his pro debut Sept. 1, when the Pro National Series races in Delmont. The final Pro National race of the season is Sept. 8 in California.

“I’m hoping to race in both events, just to get a feel for it,” Martin said. “If Steve Roman goes to California, I’ll make the trip out there with him.”

Roman is a pro motocross racer from Pittsburgh. He met Martin at a track a few weeks ago and is helping him make the transition from amateur to pro.

“Our bikes were next to each other in the pit area at a race site and he got to talking to me about it,” Roman said of Martin turning pro. “I’m happy to help out. Pro races are a lot more intense, a lot more difficult to qualify for than local races.”

Martin became eligible to apply for a pro license by placing 10th in the 250 A Pro Division at the Loretta Lynn Amateur National Motocross Championships recently in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Anyone placing among the top 20 in that 42-bike division is eligible to turn pro. Martin placed ninth in the college boy division at the Loretta Lynn Nationals last year, overcoming a bout with mononucleosis to do so.

“The 250 A pro Division is the toughest division down there,” Martin said. “I hurt my shoulder the Monday before racing started. I went to the hospital and found out it was separated.

“I just couldn’t stay healthy leading into that thing. I took a cortisone shot so I could race. No way was I going to miss it.”

At a pro race, the 40 fastest bikes during time qualifiers are eligible to compete in the actual event. More than twice that many bikes may be vying for those spots.

Most amateur races are five laps. A pro race lasts 30 minutes, plus two more laps.

“Endurance and focus become much bigger factors. And your bike has to be able to handle it,” Roman said.

The bike becomes much more expensive as a result.

“Some of these (pro) guys have $100,000 to $200,000 tied up in their dirt bikes,” Roman said. “A good bike in amateurs might cost $15,000.”

Martin recognizes the state of the economy could make the gathering of sponsors a bit challenging.

“I’m going to send out as many resumes as I can to potential sponsors,” he said. “Hopefully, some will get back to me and help me get things lined up for next year.”

The Pro National circuit consists of 18 races per year. The 2013 schedule begins in April.