MotoChamps.com
While we say on our homepage, that "This is the website for car lovers of all kinds.", that doesn't mean a car lover can't love motorcycles, too. -And we do! -And one of our favorite sports is motocross!
Quite a few years ago, I owned a motorcycle dealership, and we got very involved in the sport of motocross. From 1974 thru 1982, we developed one of the top amateur racing teams in the country. -But the business didn't make it through the Jimmy Carter recession, and we had to close the doors in late 1982. After that, I didn't have much to do with motorcycles up until just a few years ago.
As I was building up CarDreamer.com, I was meeting families at car shows, cruises and other car events, and I started a section called "Take a Kid To a Car Show". It got me to remembering how family-oriented the sport of amateur motocross is. I decided to start a "Take a Kid To a Motocross Race" section.
Some long-time friends of mine, Drex and Jane Akin, of Niles, MI, along with their daughter and son-in-law, Bob & Lisa Wagner, run a motocross track called Dutch Sport Park in Bloomingdale, MI, and they have a reputation for really catering to families and kids who race.
I knew they had a big youth-oriented race coming up called "The Michigan Mafia Mini-Mo-Down". (Don't let the "Michigan Mafia" phrase scare you off. That's just a tag that someone hung on some of Michigan's top motorcycle racers quite a few years ago because they were so tough to beat. -And it has stuck to this date.)
I knew that this event would be family-oriented, and would make for some good family stories and pictures, so I called up the Akins and got myself invited.
So why should you "Take a Kid To a Motocross Race"?
Well, while we've been encouraging folks to get more kids involved in car hobbies, it's just a matter of fact that restoring an old car, and displaying it at a car show, or a cruise, just isn't exciting enough for some kids. -Or maybe you might be looking to add some more excitement into your own life. Well, there aren't too many sports or pastimes more exciting than motocross.
Motocross is another activity that provides an excellent opportunity for parents to connect with their kids, and have a good time doing it. Too many kids today are learning their values from rockstars, rappers, gangstas, TV, movies, video games, the internet, and their peers. Parents really have to find some common ground which allows them to interact with their kids, and motocross and cars are two of the best ways of doing that. So-
If you just want to check out an amateur MX race as a
spectator, ordinarily, you won't have to fight big spectator crowds. Most of
the spectators came with a particular rider, and they go back and help him out
in his pit area when he's not actually on the track.
Take a Kid To an MX Race!
These folks have picked a spot where they'll have a good view of the start of the next race.
-And if you look closely, you'll notice that there are spectators lined up
all along other portions of the track, watching the current race.
Take a Kid To an MX Race!
Amateur motocross is definitely a family sport. This is Mark & Susan Cramer, and their daughter, Lauren. They own Allegan Powersports, and I met them at the "Mini Mo-Down". None of their four kids
were racing that weekend, but Mark said, "We do this to promote fun, family, and friendships."
(The two boys in the photo are Pierce and Colin Morrissey, -just hangin' out.)
And here's a perfect example of a family that's into more than just spectating. This is Jeremy, Jaryn and Alyssa Williams. Dad & son both race, but Alyssa doesn't (yet). They're from Connersville, IN, and Jeremy tells me that their family slogan is, "Never give up!" Now there's a good family value to hand down to your kids! He tells me that years ago, he was involved in "Muscle Car" drag racing, but migrated to motocross.
Take a Kid To an MX Race!
The T-shirt says it all! How many kids nowadays think
of their dad as their "best friend"? The man wearing this shirt was
Chuck Loehr, of
(Check
out our version of "MX Dad" on numerous products in our online
store.)
Take a Kid To an
MX Race!
And it's not just a "guy thing", -between father and son. A lot of moms really enjoy the sport, and they do a lot of things to contribute towards the team spirit and a winning effort. Here, Angie Straley serves as team photographer, as her smiling son, Dylan, accepts a trophy that's almost as big as he is. (That's younger brother, Jacob, on one side, and dad, Mike, on the other.) Some of the moms get into it every bit as much as the dads. And many tracks have women's classes, in case you have a "tomboy" in the family.
(We also have some "MX Mom" stuff on numerous products in our online store.)Take a Kid To an MX Race!
Another aspect of having your kids race motocross, is that they can be pretty easy to take care of after a hard weekend at the races. This is Clint Heimbach and his son, Ryder, at the end of the "Mini Mo-Down" weekend.
(Check out some of our videos on YouTube for more on the "Mini Mo-Down".)
Take a Kid To an MX
Race!
If you want a taste of big-time Pro Motocross, Michigan has one of the best in the country
every July 4th weekend at Red Bud MX in Buchanan, MI.
But expect some bigger crowds, -they had over 30,000 attend the 2007 event!
(Check out some of our videos on YouTube for some Red Bud MX action.)
Take a Kid To an MX Race!
I stood next to these four fellas at the
Red Bud National in July. As we got to talking, I found out that although they
were just spectators that day, this was a 3-generation family of motocross
racers. (I can't understand my own notes, so all I can say for sure is that
it's Ranal Rutherford and his son Parris, one of the boys is named Dylan, and
at least one of this bunch is from Coloma, MI. Hey guys, if you see this, call
or email me, and straighten me out!)
Take a Kid To an MX
Race!
Photo Albums & Slide Shows
"Take a Kid To an MX Race" Photo Album
"2007 Mini Mo-down" Slide Show
"2007 Mini Mo-down" Photo Album #1
"2007 Mini Mo-down" Photo Album #2
"2007 Mini Mo-down" Photo Album #3
"2007 Mini Mo-down" Photo Album #4
"Check out our online store."
"Check out the Dutch Sport Park website"
"Check out the Red Bud MX website"