At just 11 years old, Canon-Mac’ s Phillip“ Flip” Sollon is already a name to know in the world of youth dirt bike and e-mountain bike racing. A sixth grader at North Strabane Intermediate School, Flip lives with his parents, Phillip and Heather Sollon, who are lifelong area residents leading an all-in racing family.
Flip’ s introduction to the sport came naturally. His father has been racing dirt bikes and e-mountain bikes for years, so it was only fitting that Flip received his very first dirt bike on his third birthday.
“ Dad and I ride almost every day,” he says.“ It’ s just become a huge part of our lives.”
Those daily laps— sometimes even squeezed in before school— became the foundation of a career in racing for Flip.
Training is constant. Between cleaning, maintaining, packing, unpacking and practicing at every opportunity, the Sollon family’ s routine revolves around time on two wheels.
Most days, Flip rides with his dad or his sisters, who also race, but some of his favorite memories have come from training with his friends.
“ Most of the families we hang out with race, too. Riding with all my buddies is the best,” he says.
In 2024, Flip competed in the New East Coast Cross Country( NECXC) Series— one of the highest-quality youth racing opportunities in the region. Founded in 2012 by the Wilson family, the NECXC Series features 12 rounds in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland.
This year, Flip raced in the 65cc Super Class, where competitors battle not only for class wins but also for the overall fastest time. Week after week, Flip delivered.
He won his class championship for the season, and in most races earned the overall win as well. His consistent performance secured his first Overall Micro Division Championship.
“ We’ ve all been racing together for years,” Flip says of his fellow competitors.“ We’ ve gotten really close. Winning the Overall was such a cool feeling.”
No season comes without obstacles, however. From weather and track conditions to mechanical failures and mental preparation, each race brings something different. But Flip remembers one moment more than any other.
“ The day I knew I could secure the Micro Championship— that was the biggest day. When I finished, I was so proud I did it.”
Flip doesn’ t just ride dirt bikes— he also competes in the GNCC National e-Mountain Bike( eMTB) Series.
Throughout much of the season, he was tied for first in his age division. However, mechanical issues, tough competition and a late-season injury kept him from racing the final round. But he still secured an impressive second place nationally in the youth class.
“ Being at a national competition is awesome— the venues, the people, and having my family and friends there,” Flip says.“ My goals are to stay healthy, train hard and try to beat my dad.”
And just to note— he has two more years left in the eMTB youth class, which means he’ ll have plenty of opportunities.
Flip has big plans for the future. He’ ll be moving up to the 85cc class for dirt bikes and continuing his rise on the national eMTB scene. With a father still racing in his 40s, and family friends competing well into their 50s, Flip hopes to continue the sport for decades to come. n
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