| All ages take to dirt at race track |
[Jul. 18th, 2006|10:00 am] |
All ages take to dirt at race track
Tyler Sherrill still has his baby teeth, a shy grin for people he doesn't know and and a fearlessness that surprises even his parents.
The Clarksville 5-year-old, who has been racing his Honda CRT dirt bike since he was 3, participated Saturday night in the motocross event, which drew more than 160 racers from all over Tennessee and Kentucky.
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Growling motorcycles and four-wheelers plowed through the hilly terrain, soaring through big jumps, kicking up a haze of dust and showering dirt clods across the arena at Fairgrounds Park during the second night of the Jaycees North Tennessee State Fair.
The motocross featured 20 separate races in various age and engine categories.
Billy Latham of Pro-Action Sports in Crofton, Ky., designed and created the course ?a continuous oval-shaped ripple of little peaks and valleys.
"I just made it up in my head and started pushing dirt around," Latham said. "I wanted it to be challenging enough for the pro-class riders, but easy enough on the little guys."
But little guys like Tyler Sherrill aren't asking for any easy breaks.
"I think I actually get a little more scared than he does," said Tyler's father, Todd Sherrill, who has been dirt bike racing since he was his son's age. "He just gets out there and concentrates on going fast."
Tyler's mother, Denise Sherrill, said she is amazed at her son's ability to maneuver his bike.
"It's just amazing to me that a 5-year-old can go out and know how to maneuver bumps and turns and when to slow down and when to speed up," she said. "There's a sense of pride that comes with watching him."
The Sherills agreed safety is the top consideration when enjoying what they call their family hobby.
"This is all we do, because you really can't afford the time or money to do anything else," Todd Sherrill said.
Before racing, Tyler suits up in his racing gear ?boots, chest guard and helmet, along with a red and black polyester race suit.
The Sherrills say they're aware of the risks involved with the sport but insist they don't want their child to live in fear.
"To a certain extent, you have to you kids try things for themselves and decide what they like," Todd Sherrill said. "I mean there's danger in just about everything ?playing football or just riding a regular bike. You can't let fear rule your life."
The couple is expecting a daughter next month, and they're already planning to save Tyler's trusty, little Honda for her ?but "only if she wants to ride, of course."
Though the Sherrill's purchased Tyler's bike used, a brand new similar model can cost as much as $17,000, Todd Sherrill said.
But they insist the expense of the sport is worth the time they spend enjoying it together.
"It's a very family-friendly environment," Denise Sherrill said.
The sport also entertains families a little more hesitant about strapping on a helmet.
Todd Morely of Clarksville brought his two sons, Cullynn, 10, and Benjamin, 6, to Saturday's motocross for some father-son bonding while his wife and daughter were out of town.
Morely said the event was a first for his brood, which was clearly excited by the experience.
"Dad, someday can I try those jumps?" Cullyn asked breathlessly, while watching his peers zoom over the sloping terrain. "It could be scary, but I'd do it anyway
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