Even during the last race of the 2007 Moto X Kidz racing series the promoter and his staff of race parents still welcome plenty of first-timers with a family plan to experience the entry-level ranks of motocross racing.
The Moto X Kidz race series is specifically geared for boys and girls ages 4 to 17 with a unique starter class catering to the specific needs of first-time competitors before they graduate to the traditional levels of their respected beginner classes.
| C.J. “Sparkplug” Stewart |
| Special to the Valley News |
Friday, December 21st, 2007.
Issue 51, Volume 11.
Novice, intermediate, open, and advanced class brackets also fill the race schedule. With skill, experience, and bike size clearly separated for a fair and even playing field.
Promoter Kevin Reno of the Moto X Kidz series is no rookie when it comes to family-geared events. Reno has been sharing his patient wisdom with parents and youngsters about safety, respect, fun, and parent expectations to ensure a family friendly environment.
Reno has a racing industry background spanning over 35 years.
“There are a lot of stories in all those years. Really good stories, and some, where the parents pushed their kids so hard, the kid just quit riding. It’s a shame. This is not what we should do as parents and grandparents.” Reno said.
“Positive reinforcement and encouragement are the proper ways to motivate our Moto X Kidz. If you are new to racing and need help, please ask. We’ll help you.”
“Ask” is exactly what Shelley Skaggs, mother of Austin, 7, and Cory, 8, did (by phone) before heading out to the Lake Elsinore MX Park from their Huntington Beach home.
“We had some friends recommend this series. We wanted to make sure the boy’s first race wasn’t going to be something we weren’t ready for. I’m glad, this series really is all about the kids.”
Skaggs added, “Our oldest has been pestering me for two years to go dirt bike racing. And, you know the younger one, Austin is totally monkey see, monkey do when it comes to what his older brother is doing.”
Austin said, “I got my first moto-trophy. My brother Cory got one too.”
Veteran moto-mom Deborah Hite of Lake Elsinore explained, “This series is 100 percent trophy. Every kid that finishes earns a trophy. This really builds confidence for the kids. It’s really not about competition; it’s about community participation and sportsmanship – a real A plus.”
Six-year-old Bryan Sodders of Riverside finished his first race too. While his older brother Eric, 8, was comfortable sitting it out on the sidelines. Bryan had butterflies in his tummy during the practice session.
Bryan was encouraged by an experienced race parent after practice, “You know? It isn’t really racing unless you are getting paid to do it. Nobody is paying you to race, right? So, go out there and enjoy the game. It’s just a big play-ride. See you at the finish line, buddy.”
A wink, and a high five, knuckle knock sealed their deal.
Bryan and his dad Devin researched ‘the first race number’ that MX champion Ricky Carmichael ran on his bike as a child. Remarkably a No. 167 was adorning Sodders’ number plate, sparking what may now become a new tradition.
French Valley Elementary second-grader Ethan Villalta of Temecula had his first taste of organized moto as well, on his Callaway Motorsports, Kawasaki KX 65, AKA Green Machine.
Ethan’s mom Arlene Villalta said, “We’ve had our membership with the MX Park for a year, and have been bringing Ethan to ride here since. We’re only 20 minutes away. We’ve heard about these races from other parents.
“We were reminded about the rescheduling of the Moto X Kidz last race from the Valley News announcement a week ago. It’s been marked on our calendar ever since our friends that raced the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix forwarded the article.”
Ethan used to race BMX at the Perris Fairgrounds. “We got a few trophies doing BMX, and then Ethan wanted to do this. He’s definitely got a case of ‘throttle dependency’.”
The fifth first-timer of the day was Evan Scrimpsher, 9, of Cypress, wheeling his 65cc birthday gift from when he turned 8 years old.
His oversized race number didn’t fit the side number plates on his bike properly so his dad, Jason Scrimpsher rotated the placement by 90 degrees. (That would be conspicuously sideways.)
“He wanted the biggest number available to honor his riding hero, the ever popular No. 4 of Ricky Carmichael.”
When Evan was asked to spell a typical challenge word selected by the California Department of Education for the 11th month fourth week of the fourth-grade calendar year, his answer was verbally correct right from the start. “M-O-T-O-R-C-Y-C-L-E. That spells motorcycle.”
“Good job, buddy!” a nearby support parent said. “You did awesome.”
Spring series schedule begins on Jan. 13, and will run eight races on every other Sunday until April 27. Signups begin at 8 a.m., practice at 9, racing at 10.
