Coaching changes led to the end of Trevor Nogueira’s basketball career.
A speeding ticket helped jump start a new venture as a competitive motorcycle racer.
The 2010 Sierra High graduate is gearing up for his first ride as a pro in the MotoAmerica Championship series. He’ll debut at Sonoma Raceway Aug. 11-13 in the Superstock 600 circuit. The event will be televised on beIN SPORTS.
“My family and a couple friends from high school know about this, and some of them are really surprised because they didn’t think I would take it to this level or happen this quickly,” Noguiera said. “Some people I’ve raced against started when they were 4 and I’ve only been doing this for about four years total. I guess I’m a quick learner.”
Nogueira, 24, currently competes as an amateur in the American Federation of Motorcyclists and is ranked second in the Formula I expert/pro class. He earned his first podium — or top-three — finish in April at Sonoma Raceway, and was a runner-up at Thunderhill Raceway Park near Willows on May 28.
“I’ve only been racing for 2 ½ years,” Nogueira said. “It’s crazy how fast I’ve progressed.”
Drawing inspiration from his mom, step dad and uncle — all avid motorcyclists — Nogueira bought his first bike when he was 19. Not long after that he was stopped for his first speeding ticket.
“I eventually said, ‘I’m going to the track,’” he said.
Nogueira was a two-time All-Valley Oak League first-team selection as a standout shooting guard for Sierra’s basketball team. He signed with Pacific Union College of Angwin in 2012. He was named to the California Pacific Conference second-team his junior year after averaging 13.2 points for the Pioneers. Then he hung up the high-tops for good.
“They changed coaches so I decided I was done,” Nogueira said. “Four coaches in one year, I was like, ‘I’m not doing this anymore.’”
Nogueira remained at Pacific Union and graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s in exercise science before pursuing a teaching credential. He has just ended his first year at David Weir Elementary in Fairfield where he is a physical education teacher. He currently resides in Vallejo.
Nogueira said he spends at least three weekends every month at Sonoma Raceway and serves as an instructor for Fun Track Dayz. He has one more amateur round of AFM competition — July 14-15 at Thunderhill — to get himself ready for the big time.
“My ultimate goal is to keep racing professional rounds across the United States,” Nogueira said. “I can do a lot more than what I’m doing right now. It’s exciting to see where I can go from here.”