Get To Know Charlie Mullins

I was born on April 3, 1986 and grew up in Hamilton, OH. I started riding at the age of 5 years old on a PW 50. My father was a big influence on getting me on a bike. He would take me riding at my grandpa’s land where I would ride all day and have the time of my life. I would just keep riding and riding.

At the age of 9, I got a Suzuki DS 80 which was my first clutch bike. I really enjoyed that bike because it helped me progress on the clutch aspect of riding. Then, at age 12 I moved up another bike size, I got my first Honda CR 80. Up to this point I only rode woods, but I decided I wanted to try out Motocross. So my dad and I went to a Loretta Lynn’s area qualifier in Ohio. Unfortunately I broke my left arm and had to have surgery to insert plates and screws. At this point, I had no other choice but to step back from riding for a year or so and recover.

After my arm healed I wanted to make sure I would was 100% ready before I rode again. I was pretty scared at first, but when I came back I decided to start racing off-road because it was a little safer than motocross. So, at age 14 I went to my first ever GNCC at Mount Morris, Pennsylvania and raced my KX 100. My day went well and I ended up 4th place. It seemed to come easier to me then motocross and I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career in off-road racing.

The following year, in 2000, I raced a full year of GNCC in the Mini Intermediate class and AMA District 11 races. This was a great year for me, finishing 2nd in my class for GNCC and 1st in the District 11 85cc class.

I decided to ride an 80cc once more in 2001 season. I started off the season racing GNCC and I was doing well, but I decided I wanted to race MX and try for Loretta Lynn’s again. So I qualified for Loretta Lynn’s in the supermini class, but one day practicing I ended up crashing and breaking my right arm for a second time. This one also resulted in surgery, but I wasn’t going to let this injury hold me back from riding. I was able to bounce back quickly, but I was bummed I missed out on going to Loretta’s that year.

I moved up to the big bikes in 2002 and it just seemed like time just went by so fast. I moved straight to 200A from the 80 intermediate class in GNCCs. This also meant I would be adding another hour and a half of racing onto the already hour and a half race. I was not ready for that one. I struggled the first few GNCC’s because of my lack of conditioning but, I worked hard over the summer break and won the last three out of four GNCCs and finishing second at the other one. I also gave Loretta’s one more shot in 2002 in the School Boy 12-15 class. It was a learning year for me on the big bikes and I struggled with my starts and crashes. Overall, it was a good experience for me and I am able to say that I’ve race LL MX. Someday I would like to go back to race there again in the Pro classes.

I decided in 2003 to put all of my focus into off-road racing. That meant no more MX races for the time being. I started training and riding more than I ever had before. But, I was still in high school so I had to work extra hard to balance school and racing. My dad was strict about keeping my grades up. That year, I ended up second overall in 200A for the class only to lose by two points. The following year, 2004, I moved up to 250A and it was another solid year for me. I actually ended up getting second place overall and only to lose by one point! I was also able to graduate from high school which was a big accomplishment for me and I was going to attend college. College came along, but I only made it one semester.

My dad made a deal with me that he would support me for two years to see if I would be able to make a living out of racing. If not I would have to go back to school.

2005 was the biggest turning point in my off-road career. I was fortunate enough to get a support ride with Randy Hawkins and the Am-Pro Yamaha team. I was able to dominate the 250A class that year and earning my first amateur GNCC championship. I also scored a career best of a 4th overall from the A class. I was able to race the last four rounds in the pro class. I ended up with three podiums out of remaining four races and that was good enough to land me a 2 year factory deal with the Am-Pro Yamaha team. I also received Most Improved Rider Award at the GNCC banquet that year. I remember being very proud of what I had accomplished thus far, but I had better goals in mind.

Going into my rookie season (2006) in the pro class was really exciting for me. I had a really solid season resulting in 9 out of 13 podiums giving me the number 3 plate for 2007. I wasn’t able to get a win that year but I made sure to be ready for the next year and finally get my first GNCC pro victory at the John Penton. I will never forget that moment I crossed the finish line and just thinking, “wow I did it.” I have the jersey I wore that day, framed in my house. I also raced a few OMA races and NHS in 2006 and I was able to get a few national pro victories that year. Overall, I was really happy how things went during my rookie season.

2007 was another solid year for me. I was backed by Am-Pro Yamaha for the second year of my contract. I was able to land two GNCC victories and get on the podium 6 times that year. I won a few OMA and NHS races that year, as well. Towards the end of 2007, I was approached by Factory Suzuki Off-road. They wanted me to join their team for 2008-2009. While I enjoyed being on the Am-Pro team very much, I was looking for a change.

2008 is a year I would like to put behind me. Even though I won a GNCC race and got on the podium 5 times, it just seemed liked I struggled. I lacked the confidence I knew I needed to win. In addition, my girlfriend and I bought a house in Hickory, NC which was a big undertaking. In August of 2008, while practice riding I suffered a Grade 3 AC separation in my shoulder that forced me to have to sit out one round of the GNCCs. Luckily, I had a good team to support me through the rough times and get me ready for the new season. I spent the early months of 2009, training and riding in Florida in preparation for season. For the first time in my career, I followed my own advice and knowledge of riding and training. I came out of Florida with my first win of the season.

There are so many people that have helped me get where I am at today and without all of their help and support, I know for a fact that I would not be where I am at today. I just want to thank everybody that has helped me along the way. Especially my Dad I can’t thank him enough. He has been with me since day one and he is still right there by my side supporting me.

Name : Charles Dustin Mullins

Nick Names : Dustin, Hot Rod, Chuckie

Date of Birth : 4/3/1986

Hometown : Hamilton, OH

Current Residence : Hickory, NC

Relationship Status : Girlfriend, Rachel

Pets : A Pekingese, Oliver

Hobbies :

Stand Jet-ski, cycling, mountain biking, PS 3

Favorite TV Shows : Family Guy, The Office, South Park

Favorite Foods : Mexican and Italian