Whipping around the asphalt at speeds over 160 mph, David LaBree, a professional motorcycle racer and two-year member of the East Bay Rats Motorcycle Club, won the  trophy for the 750 Novice Championship of the American Federation of Motorcyclists at the Sonoma Raceway on Sunday.

“It means everything; the blood, sweat, and tears,” LaBree said, explaining his newly acquired title that day.

The AFM is the oldest racing organization in the country, dedicated solely to motorcycle road racing.  The federation began in northern California, an area that has one of the largest population of sport riders in the country, according to their website.

LaBree is now on a fast track to the top of his game, with only two years under his belt he now is dominating in his amateur division as the champion.

Last year he began racing as a full time gig and ended up placing fourth overall in the championship. This year, he surpassed that position by stepping up his focussed mentality and motorcycle mechanics, according to LaBree.

Displayed on the side of LaBree’s motorcycle trailer is a large, black and white sign, displaying the same text as his leather jacket. The East Bay Rat’s flag hangs with great pride and his fellow members stood by to watch LaBree win his hard-earned title.

“Supporting the guys is mainly what its all about for me, the racing is more just watching people go round and round,” joked Biker Mike, the Rat’s oldest member. Mike used to race motorcycles, but now just attends the races to stand behind his buddy.

LaBree first rode a motorcycle well before he had a license, and used to sneak out to cruise the streets of Oakland in his teen years.

LaBree was encouraged to put his inherent talents to the test, under the wing of a fellow rider and previous two time AFM champion, Ed Milhausen.

“Meeting Dave and riding with Dave it kind of looked like he reached a level where riding down the street probably wasn’t safe and wasn’t that satisfying, so I encouraged him to join the AFM,” says Milhausen.

“I think when you get motorcycling in your blood, it’s there for the duration.”

On race days, LaBree says he comes out to represent his crew, and wears his Rat jacket with pride. The club has become like family to him, a brotherhood that will never be replaced.

“We like to drink beer, ride our motorcycles like maniacs, fight in the boxing ring–some of us race,” smiles LaBree.

Getting to the top of the championships is a points game, and before the final race of the day LaBree placed ahead of his closest rival by 33 points–a number that secured his championship title, unless he crashed.

“We like to pretend that we’re immortal,” says LaBree, but he explains that one crash can take you out of the races all together.

“The second you stop being scared out there is the second you get hurt.

Reportedly, there were several accidents that day, one of which required an emergency transport via helicopter.

“It was a successful day, I didn’t go broke and I’ve got all my fingers,” jokes LaBree.

An AFM championship title means more recognition and sponsors for those who place high in the competition, explain Shannon O’haire, a long time motorcycle fan and supporter of LaBree.

“It was very exciting, the first couple of races were good but not what I knew he could do… the last was perfect,” says O’haire.

This final push to the title shows LaBree’s passion for motorcycle and the art of racing them.

He is currently attending San Francisco State University for an bachelor’s in engineering. This degree will lend itself both to the further improvement of his racing bikes and the extension of his racing career, explains LaBree.

Upon receiving his trophy, packing up, and sending off his loved ones, LaBree summed up what it feels like to race on the track in this daredevil sport.

“It’s the ultimate high,” he reminisces. “It’s like a tingling throughout your whole body, and when you pass the guy next to you, you want nothing more than to put him in the dirt, chop off his head, and feed him to the wolves, but afterwards we’re sitting here drinking a beer and laughing about it.”

“But once that green flag drops, you don’t know me–I’m not your friend.”