Posted April 21, 2006

ATVs = Family Fun

By Doug Morris

Every time I'm around a group of ATVers at their favorite ride area or hanging around a race track, I am struck by just how big ATVing has become as a fun family activity.

For the millions of us who ride ATVs for recreation, we can come up with millions of families who ride recreationally together every weekend with family and friends. It's not uncommon to see grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren all out riding as a group together.

The same holds true for families who race ATVs. Over the last few years, the average age of participants who sign up to race is changing. Not too many years ago it was predominantly a younger crowd, 16 to 32, that came out to race those "four-wheel things." OK, a few of us started on three-wheelers.

But over the last few years, those 16 year olds are now 32, and the 32 year olds are 48. That same group is still there, but now they are bringing their children to the races, and not just to watch, but to race.

Racing ATVs has become a family-friendly sport. What has changed?

There are a number of reasons for this change. Several years ago there were very few youth-model ATVs to choose from. Now there are dozens of manufacturers with multiple models to choose from. Youth ATVs are even available from other than your local motorcycle dealer.

Another reason is that the American Motorcyclist Association Congress changed the age guidelines governing racing to better serve this growing trend.

If you spend any time at all in the pits at any of the Nationals, Grand National Championship motocross, Extreme Dirt Track or Grand National Cross Country series, you will experience something that we think is unique: ATV racing families. Not just a single person in the family who races, while everyone else looks on, but multiple family members and even entire families who race.

One family that races together we met at Muddy Creek, Tennessee: dad Jimmy McKinney, mom Kelly, and son Justin all race ATVs out of Marion, North Carolina.

I hope you recognize the name Angela Moore. What you may not know is that her father, Jack, and brothers, Jake and Robert, race as well. All we need is to get mom racing.

We even have husband and wife teams, like Andrew Scherer from Troy, Virginia. He races in the 40+ class while wife, Lisa, races in Women's B.

OK, how about fathers and daughters who race? Duane Deremer from Laurel, Maryland, races in the 30+ class while his daughter, Jennifer, raced 90 Production Junior.

When it comes to brothers and sisters who race, none could be more touching then Hanna and Noah Sharp from Crestwood, Kentucky. They currently race against each other in the 50 Limited class.

When it comes to husbands and wives who race, the fastest family in the country has to go to eighth-ranked Pro racer Joe Byrd and his wife, Heather Byrd, who is the 2004 Women's A champion.

We attend all kinds of events, from team sports to racing. And I think ATV racing families are unique.

It doesn't matter if it is one of your immediate family or the person parked next to you, if you need anything at all, we will pitch in and help you out, because we are all just one big family.

© 2006, All Terrain Vehicle Association