Getting Son started, Old schooler here, very Old LOL, Time to hit the track Options

[arkansasbowman]

Good morning to all. Okay first off I am almost more pumped that my 12 yr old son is. Seriously I was thinking of buying him an XBox 360 this year for Christmas and kept telling myself that he spends enough time on the computer with interactive games already. He likes outdoor sports so that got me thinking to MY good ole days. BMX Racing. So I start my research, So Dad(me) being a transplanted So Cal surfer dude now a avid outsdoorsman hillbilly(no offense meant to anyone) here in Arkanas. I start to research whats available in my surrounding areas.

As I grew up I had the Luxury to grow up in the Hub of BMX(my opinion) back in the day. Late '70s - early '90s, I still remember today going to the Grand Opening of the Orange Y track(then BMXL). Just turned 12 and just turned Expert. Obviously there were quite a few riders in every class at a Grand Opening. I did very well for a age and class change all at once. I know long story sorry, but great memories. Anyhow after the race I remember telling my dad, dang did pretty good to get 2nd place in 12X and 2nd in my open class. That dude that rides from Jag BMX is pretty darn good, he got 1st in both classes that I got 2nd. I beat him in the 1st MOTO to qualify to the main first but, he beat me the rest of the day. Told my dad I did everything I could but could barely keep a wheel on him. That infamous rider, on that day that I still remember today clearly was my race friend Mr. Pete Loncarevich, Pete and I were days apart in birth days an remember there were times I wish we were at least 6 months apart so that I might race without him in my class.

Many top riders hubbed out of So Cal and specifically the Orange Y, It's pretty cool to share stories with my son that my best friend raced against Jeremy McGrath, also Eric Carter(to name a few) and I spent many a days on the lawn at La Mirada, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Westminster, etc. Those guys have all gone on to big things that stemmed from early days of BMX. I would have never imagined that the sport would become something to make money from. I continued to watch Pete excel threw the days. As I reached 19 I phased out of BMX to MX and enjoyed that for quite of few years.

Bottom line it was nothing short of great times, now sharing those stories with my son. So we have visited two tracks, bad thing is that one is 3 hrs away and one is 2 hrs away. But we will be hitting it hard in the spring no matter the drive. The turn outs here(moto count) are what I would consider weak. Many ages and classes combined, but I hope to help him excel and maybe we can reach a level that he may hit some of the Nationals. We are going to get him going on a DK Expert and take it from there. I have been out of the sport for so long, but so much is really still the same. We enjoyed watching the guys race, we both got out on the track, took some gates on some track bikes they have at the track. Heck I might even though a 24" together to race, who knows. Blows me away there is a class for me at a ripe age of 43.

[Meattray]

My buddy just broke his hip and collar bone in two places a couple weeks ago while we were racing.
At the ripe age of 43. He just start back again 4 months ago.
You sure you want to try this sport again old man?






Heck yea you do at 40 I'm having the time of my life.
He can't wait to get back on the track either

[Elvis]

Bud, we're racing at Bonzai, in Burns Park, tonight. I'll be there after I get off work in Clinton. We can probably dig up a loaner for your son, or for that matter for you. Sign ups 6-7 and you don't need to bring money, first race is free. We'll also be there Sunday afternoon. Holler and I can bring you up on other tracks in the area.

Come see us.

[compIV]

Good luck and dont take it too seriously too fast, remember you want to get you kid hooked on the love of riding first, then if he truely loves it and he is a competitor it will eventually come out on its own.

[90262LeeBMXs]

For you coming back, WELCOME BACK, MUAHAHAHA!

Take it slow you will definitely be alot faster than your skills will accommodate. If you go out there and break something that means your son will feal a little threatened and he will probably miss alot with you not being out there with him. So just take it slow coming back in. As I was told when I first came back, too many older guys that come back try to go 110%, get injured, and never return. After all we all have to go to work the next day and alot of Bossmansess don't like you to be broke.

As for your son, I think the key would be for him to find a couple of friends at the track or bring some along and that alone will keep him interested until he gets better. Once he gets good and starts winning it will become an addiction, until he gets a car at least. Then he will be old enough to make the decision whether he'll stick with it or not.

But in the mean time go out there, have fun, and try not to get hurt.

[arkansasbowman]

Bud, we're racing at Bonzai, in Burns Park, tonight. I'll be there after I get off work in Clinton. We can probably dig up a loaner for your son, or for that matter for you. Sign ups 6-7 and you don't need to bring money, first race is free. We'll also be there Sunday afternoon. Holler and I can bring you up on other tracks in the area.

Come see us.

We hit Rock City BMX, couple of weeks ago, then checked out Spokes BMX in Springfield. So we put 400 miles on checking out the local action. Seems not many running on the weekend. So weeknight races aren't going to happen till summer when he's not in school. I have my choice of 3 hrs south or 2 hrs north.

[tsou]

Oooh! Must of been culture shock, SoCal to Arkansas! Did that once. Riverside(actually Norco)Cali, to Harrison, Ark. Really nice town, cept for the people. Berryville, Mtn Home or Jonesboro, friendly folks, not Harrison. Ate breakfast in the same cafe for two years, no one would ever even nod hello, cept the waitresses, cuz they want tipped. Used to go to Springfield, Mo or Tulsa, Ok once a month with the family just to remind ourselves what civilization was like. Now I don't know exactly where your at, but if you can do 2 hours N to Springfield, probably not more than 4 to Tulsa. Nice track at Sand Springs, never been there myself, but my one and only 14x grommit has, and says so. Having carefully worked down to this point......Every Thanksgiving weekend ABA has this little gettogether at Tulsa, OK. Called the ABA Grands. Probably (I'm sure) about 4-500 motos worth. Racing Friday thru Sunday inside the convention center building(roofed, walls, bathrooms, food,bike stuff mfrs, vendors, more crazy people on BMX bikes than you'd think existed, and about a 50' chain link fence covered with used stuff for sale). It is a definite 'happening'. Come and join us!

[oldfatbmxer]

I started back at 40 years old. My daughter, who was 12 at the time, took to this sport like a duck to water. She just finished the NBL season w/ a national # 10 plate. Do your son and all of us a huge favor, let him invite a couple of friends to go w/ you guys to the track. It will give him a "built in" in friend and possibly give the sport yet another new rider. I ride a 20" Redline flight xxl. I tried a 24" and just could not get used to it. In my area, the older guys at the local ABA track, is one of the largest 20" classes. I can tell you that at all nationals, ABA or NBL your age cruiser class will look much like a vet pro class as many of the riders race 41+expert. W/ the 20" you can start off as rookie/novice until you get your sea leggs back. Good luck and HAVE FUN.


P.S. getting last at the track is still better than my BEST day at work so start off slow.

[arkansasbowman]

Oooh! Must of been culture shock, SoCal to Arkansas! Did that once. Riverside(actually Norco)Cali, to Harrison, Ark. Really nice town, cept for the people. Berryville, Mtn Home or Jonesboro, friendly folks, not Harrison. Ate breakfast in the same cafe for two years, no one would ever even nod hello, cept the waitresses, cuz they want tipped. Used to go to Springfield, Mo or Tulsa, Ok once a month with the family just to remind ourselves what civilization was like. Now I don't know exactly where your at, but if you can do 2 hours N to Springfield, probably not more than 4 to Tulsa. Nice track at Sand Springs, never been there myself, but my one and only 14x grommit has, and says so. Having carefully worked down to this point......Every Thanksgiving weekend ABA has this little gettogether at Tulsa, OK. Called the ABA Grands. Probably (I'm sure) about 4-500 motos worth. Racing Friday thru Sunday inside the convention center building(roofed, walls, bathrooms, food,bike stuff mfrs, vendors, more crazy people on BMX bikes than you'd think existed, and about a 50' chain link fence covered with used stuff for sale). It is a definite 'happening'. Come and join us!

you got that right, big change, but for the most part very happy with the location change. Don't get me wrong there is a lot i miss, but a lot I gain also. Yep, Harrison is 45 mins due west from me. We only eat every now an then there. normally passing through to go to Springfield or Branson. And I have plans to head to Tulsa for the Grands to let my son see the real deal.

[Elvis]

Where you located?

I work up in Clinton, live in Conway.

We're racing at Bonzai today