EVERETT — With four children racing, the Jones family plans all of its vacations around BMX bike racing.
Weather permitting, they practice Wednesdays and race Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at McCollum Park in Everett, where racers from around Western Washington come to hone their riding skills and prepare for regional and national competitions.
For the Joneses, it started with their oldest son, Tristen, who showed a natural aptitude for racing when he started at 8 years old.
“He went intermediate right away. That year, when he was 9, he went to the biggest race, the Grand Nationals in Tulsa, (Okla.). He took second and brought home a six-foot trophy,” said mom Linda Jones. “The other kids watched what he was doing and got involved.”
Younger siblings Alexandria and Mitchell, who also raced Aug. 21, came to Tristen’s early competitions, eager to shed their training wheels and hit the dirt themselves. Now 9, Alexandria started racing at 6 and is ranked first in the state for her age group. One remarkable thing about the sport is how young kids start. Arlington resident Ren Rasar was riding at age 2 1/2 and racing at 5. Now 7 years old, he competes in the 7 expert category, where he can finish the winding course in about 45 seconds.
Rasar enjoys the speed and the nature of the sport. But like the younger Joneses, he also likes the reward of competition, smiling as dad Rick reminded him of the cool trophies.
Also 7, Marysville resident William Dunn competes at the course at McCollum Park. He got into it with his stepdad, Matthew Kevan. After three months of racing, Dunn got the nod to go from novice to intermediate competition.
A soccer, basketball and baseball player, Dunn enjoys the speed.
“Just racing, seeing how it is, meeting other kids,” Dunn said, ticking off things he enjoys about the sport. “Just having fun.”
Another notable thing about BMX racing is the informal coaching. BMX at McCollum Park is an all-volunteer effort, with parents and competitors filling vital roles. Young riders pick up most of their advice about the sport from other riders.
“I think head coaches for this sport are the older kids who say, ‘Hey, try this,’” said Cameron Johnston, 17, who was at the track Aug. 21 and whose home track is in Mount Vernon. His father started the Bakerview team, named for the track his son competes on. Alexandria Jones, Mitchell Jones and fellow Arlington resident Kylee Johanson race for Bakerview, wearing the team’s jerseys, which are dotted with sponsorships.
Johnston went on to start Diablos racing with a focus on bigger, national races. Tristen Jones and Rasar are on his roster.
“That’s what I love about being a family sport,” Linda Jones said. “Everybody takes care of everybody.”
The 2009 Washington State Championship Finals will take place at SeaTac BMX Sept. 10-13.
