Butler’s Schmeider finding fast success in sides by sides
Justice Schmeider is attending flight school and plans to become a pilot.
He’s moving pretty well on the ground, too.
Schmeider, 18, of Butler, recently finished second in points in the Mid America Outdoors sxs (side by sides) racing series, amateur turbo division. The seven-round series took place in Oklahoma.
Schmeider had one win and four podium finishes to amass enough points for the runner-up spot in the series.
“I had raced quads up until this,” said Schnmeider, who first started riding at age 7 and entered his first competition at age 10. “The side by sides are much bigger, more powerful. There was definitely an adjustment period.”
But he adjusted quickly. He said quads can go 60 to 70 miles per hour while side by sides hit 90 miles per hour.
He was introduced to sxs late in the 2022 season. He won his first sxs race in the pro-am class of the AWRCS series. He then won another sxs race before the end of the season.
“Those wins gave me the confidence I could do this,” Schmeider said. “I’m excited about racing. I want to learn.”
AWRCS, a local series, was the first racing series Schmeider took part in. He won his first championship in 2014, then won again in 2015. (at ages 11-12). He moved up to the youth division and won his third championship in 2020. He came in second in 2021 before being introduced to sxs racing.
“My girlfriend’s dad introduced me to this,” Schmeider said of sxs racing. “We borrowed a car this year. My parents and I are planning on buying a car for next year.
“This place (Mid America Outdoors in Oklahoma) was a different animal. The amount of people there was crazy.”
He plans on moving up to the Expert Turbo division next year — the class right before pro — in Mid-America Outdoors in 2024.
“I feel like I’m ready to do that,” Schmeider said.
He’s won at every level he’s raced at. Schmeider has already won eight overall and./or class championships in his career.
He mentioned the Mid-America Outdoors is “growing to be the No. 1 biggest and best short course series in the United States.” Next year’s purse of over a million dollars will be up for grabs between all the classes.
"The most competitive and fastest drivers compete in this series,“ Schmeider said.
“I just want to gather as much information as I can and become a better driver,” he said. “As a person, I want to grow my professional side so I can network and meet new people.”
He is a part of Mike Buyarski’s race team.
“I’ve had a lot of help,” Schmeider said. “I’m very blessed to be doing this. My girlfriend, Ariel, also races. Now I’m looking for local sponsorships. I want to take this as far as I can.”
Schmeider’s Facebook is Justice Schmeider #26. His Instagram is justiceschmeider26.
“I’ve always been into racing,” he said. “I know people in the industry. It’s a great sport and I want to keep going.”
While also learning how to fly.
“I’m making my first solo flight,” Schmeider said. “Yeah, that’s pretty exciting, too.”
