RECREATION
Motocross requires agility and balance to compete at a high level

By Leila Wai
Special to The Advertiser

"It's just as athletic as other sports," says Rodney Awong, owner of Cut Above Racing, about motocross. "You need strength, hand-eye coordination, footwork and a lot of smarts to maneuver through the course." Photos by Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

From left, Rusty Shane Naparan, 8, Cody Correia, 10, Bronson Hethcote, 15, and Curren Fujio, 9, will be heading to Las Vegas.

This is motocross: racing motorcycles on a dirt track up hills, through jumps, straightaways, turns and obstacles.

"It is non-stop action; it gets your adrenaline going," said Rodney Awong, owner of Cut Above Racing and a motor builder for dirt bikes. "The things these kids do on a motorcycle are unbelievable."

The skill to control the bike requires athleticism.

"It is just as athletic as other sports. To control the bike, you need skill," Awong said. "You need strength, hand-eye coordination, footwork and a lot of smarts to maneuver through the course."

Learning to ride requires "coordination, riding the bike the right way, using different body positions for different turns, and controlling the way the bike is going and how to bring it down," said Herbert Correia of Wai'anae, father of motocross participants Cody, 10, and Brittany, 12.

Many try mainstream sports, but decide that they like racing better.

"I play basketball, but I like dirt bikes better because it is more exciting," said Brittany Correia. "It is fun, we get to jump and go fast." Brittany competes in the Powder Puff division, for girls.

Bronson Hethcote, 15, of Wahiawa, agrees: "It is better than other sports because you catch air and other sports you have to stay on the ground. And this sport you don't need to work out. You are conditioning when you are riding your bike."

Most of the racers are following in the footsteps of their parents.

"I actually rode when I was a youngster, and I never lost the heart for it," Herbert Correia said. "I took a break because of the expense, and when I was financially stable I got back into it. When they got to the age when they were able, I put them into it."

Expenses are high, with motorcycles ranging from $2,800-$4,500, and equipment, including helmets (about $150), pants ($100), boots ($100-$200), gloves ($25), and jerseys ($50).

"That's why it is a family sport, because mom and dad have to foot the bill," Awong said.

Hethcote said he started at age 3 because his dad rode dirt bikes and he wanted to ride with his father.

Although the racers are young, they have years of experience. Both of the Correia children started racing when they were 4.

They started on quads (four-wheelers), and as they grew, so did their bikes.

A 50cc bike weighs about 85 pounds, and a 125cc bike weighs around 200 pounds.

It may seem daunting for a 10-year-old to control a bike that heavy, but the lighter the person, the better, because they can go faster, according to Correia.

There are several safety measures, including protective gear, but more importantly, the riders' skill and ability will keep them out of dangerous situations.

"It is about knowing your limits," said Awong. "In time, your limits will increase."

Injuries such as concussions, broken bones — even death — do occur. Everyone — including spectators — who passes through the gates at Kahuku Motocross track must sign a waiver. It is a ride-at-your-own-risk policy.

Even with the possible danger, the risk is worth it, "because it is fun and you get big air," said Cody.

His sister Brittany said that "it gets your adrenaline pumping and you get to go fast."

As well as far.

A contingent of six Hawai'i racers — none older than 16 — is set to show the world what they can do at the National Motosport Association's World Mini Grand Prix Motocross Championship in Las Vegas on April 16-21.

Along with Cody Correia and Hethcote, Curren Fujio, Rusty Shane Naparan, Kai Pattison, and R.J. Carvalho are traveling to Las Vegas.

"If you happen to do well over there, you might pick up a major sponsorship from any of the four big motorcycle manufacturers — Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki," Awong said.

All of the children traveling are a part of the Hawai'i Motocross Association. Annual membership for HMA is $25. There is a family plan that includes a $15 fee for each additional family member for a full year.

To ride in the park on non-race days, members pay $2, and non-members pay $5, for day-long riding. Entry fees for racing are $25, and races take place year-round.

There are more than 200 racers in the association. To join, go to the Kahuku Motocross track on any race day and pick up an application at the gate.

For more information or donations, call Herbert Correia 696-6855 or Rodney Awong, 455-3502.