Click on the thumbnails below to view the full-sized pictures.
This year, Austin started the season racing in the 60cc,
age 10-11 class, and even though he was winning trophies,
he was so big on that little KX that we had to switch him
to the 80cc, age 7-11 class. He had a lot of trouble
switching over, had a lot of wrecks (some frightening to
watch), and did not bring home a single 80cc trophy. We have
since discovered that though he is left-handed, he is right-eyed,
which is causing a depth perception problem. He is soon to
get some visual therapy, and this should train him to
compensate for this oddity. We hope next season to see an
end to face plants!
Austin catches some air
More air
Checkered Flag
Trophy!
This was Ethan's first year of competition. He was riding in the 60 cc,
7-9 Class. He had a rough start, till he got sick of losing. After that,
he brought home several trophies, about half of them firsts. Ethan is
at heart first and foremost a freestyler. He learned how to ride a
two-wheeler bicycle without training wheels at the age of three, and
within a week he was building ramps and doing tricks.
Look out, Travis!
From the October, 1999 issue of Motocross Racer
The District 6 magazine
Every Saturday at Evansville Raceway
By Pat. Wary
It began so innocently. Several years ago, my husband suggested we
take our sons (who were then about 4 and 6) to watch the supercross
races at Evansville Raceway. He thought it might be a nice "family-type"
thing to do. Oh, yes; they enjoyed it all right. Before the summer
was out, we had a 50cc for the boys to share. Next thing I knew, we
had two KX-60's and all the gear necessary to keep them as safe as
possible. There was also the never-ending need for replacement parts!
Then of course, we had to build a track for them in the field. That
soon became too small, too easy, not exciting enough. So last year,
our oldest son began his racing career at Evansville Raceway. By the
end of the season, he was beginning to bring home trophies, and our
lives had changed forever. This year our oldest is racing an 80cc,
and the youngest is racing a 60cc.
How hard it is to explain to family members and friends who don't
understand the attraction! Yes, there is always the risk of an
injury-causing wreck. Yes, my heart almost stops every time a jump
is attempted for the first time, or control is lost during a turn.
Yes, it is hard to resist the urge to wrap my sons in bubble plastic
and Styrofoam peanuts to keep them safe. But I can't think of any
place I'd rather be on a spring or summer Saturday evening, than
Evansville Raceway.
Evansville is run by people who care about motocross/supercross
racing and the racers themselves. Over these past two years, we've
been to other tracks, and that has only increased my appreciation of
all the work George and Carol Masich (and their family as well) put
into making Evansville as safe and organized as possible. If George
says that sign-in is from 3-5, practice at 5:15, and first moto at
6:15, you can almost set your watch by him. I know before the first
moto starts exactly how many people are in each class, who they are,
and how many trophies are to be awarded. Every flagman is attentive,
and able to detour racers around downed riders (unlike another track,
which I won't mention at this time). The emergency personnel are very
good and always on the ball.
George is forever thinking of ways to improve the track, and so it is
very important to check things out every time. Many of his changes
are for the better, but sometimes they are not. You can be sure
however, that if a change has made the track unsafe, it will be
changed; sometimes immediately. Safety is a very important issue at
Evansville.
Evansville is very spectator-friendly. The grandstand section is
quite large, and from it, one can see almost the entire track. In
addition, on the other side of the track is a banked, grassy area
from which one can look down on all the action. The only way to miss
anything here is to not pay attention!
As if every Saturday night weren't enough, Evansville also has a
challenging motocross track, and there's also supercross practice
every Wednesday evening (open to all riders). We weren't able to go
to every practice, but each one we did attend was worth its weight in
gold.
My sons love Summer Madness. Sign up for every race during the months
of June and July, and you will receive a jacket. Last year, my eldest
son, due to circumstances beyond his control, missed the last two races,
and did not get a jacket. This year however, both boys raced every
weekend, and soon will be receiving their hard-earned Evansville Raceway
jackets. It's a nice way for the Masich family to say "thank you for
your patronage".
So what do I say to people who ask me "How could you let your sons do
something so dangerous"? I remind them of my oldest son's first
concussion (cause: slipping on ice while walking outside) and my youngest
son's scratched cornea (cause: a Disney video box!). Then I tell them
about all the people who wave hello as we pull into our favorite spot;
how parents help their sons' (and daughters') competitors change
suddenly fouled spark plugs with only seconds to spare before the
moto starts. I tell them about all the friends we four have made; and
how wonderful is the Masich family. Then I tell them about my sons'
first trophies, and about how last year my oldest son wrecked and was
run over; how he limped to his bike, got back on, and went from dead
last and half a lap behind to a fourth place finish, on a FLAT TIRE!
I then tell them how my sons have learned to be good sportsmen in both
victory and defeat. I tell them about our pride in them and their
developing pride in themselves. And I remind them that we are spending
every weekend together as a family, and we are creating happy memories,
which will last a lifetime.
Click on any of the images below.
Evansville Raceway, where we can be found most Saturdays in the late
spring and all summer.
Hurricane Hills (and Broome-Tioga), another place we like to race.
The Unofficial Homepage of AMA District 6. Very informative for all
D6 riders.
Motorcycle Racing Action, the magazine for District 6 racers.
Team Nasty Racing. Cool pictures and merchandise.
Jamie Brown Photography, specializing in motocross and nature
photography.
MOMS OF MOTOCROSS RIDERS
This club is just starting up. There aren't too many members yet, but
it's a great idea, and I hope it will grow.
Austin catches some air
More air
Checkered Flag
Trophy!
Major air!
Hole shot
Checkered Flag
Sweet Success
