Shounk is one of 130 Bike Moto Cross racers in Hawai'i with American Bicycle Association memberships, and one of the few females.

"I would want better competition," said Shounk, who earned the No. 1 plate for accumulating the most points in her age group last year.

"I know there is a lot of mountain bike women out there," Shounk said. "I don't know what will get them interested in coming here."

Shounk regularly beats the boys she competes against.

"Most boys are OK with it," Shounk said. "They give me high-fives."

The competitive aspect of racing is what attracts a lot of riders.

"The competition is fun," said Miguel Demore, 12, of Ilima Intermediate. "My favorite part is racing."

Risk involved

Chase Mawae, 7, said his favorite parts of BMX racing are the jumps.

"You can do tricks," Mawae said. "It is a little bit dangerous."

Shounk recalls falling on her shin once during practice.

"I cried a lot," she said.

The ABA, which requires track operators to be trained in first aid and CPR, reports that it has one injury for every 21,407 laps.

Chang acknowledged that kids are going to get hurt occasionally.

"At least we make them wear a helmet," he said.

In addition to a helmet, other safety equipment and a bike, racers need an annual ABA membership costs $45, which is available at the track. Each race, held Saturdays at Wheeler BMX track, costs $9.

The membership includes practice time at Wheeler BMX track, the only track on O'ahu.

To the committed riders, the price is well worth it.

"I just love to ride bikes," said John Boyle, 16. "It's fun. It keeps me busy rather than going out on the streets and doing drugs and other bad stuff."

Boyle is doing a lot of good stuff on the track. He is undefeated in his class since the season started in February.

"He's the man right now," Chang said.

Boyle said he hopes to follow in Chang's footsteps and go pro.

Chang is the last BMX racer from Hawai'i to compete professionally, ranking as high as 11th nationally in 1994.

That same year, Chang finished fifth at the world championships in Ohio.

"I hit the entire circuit," Chang said. "When somebody else pays the bill for you to go around and do what you want to do anyways, that's a dream come true."

Giving back to the sport

Chang, who works full time, said he volunteers 20 to 30 hours a week at the track because he loves the sport.

"Nothing will ever replace being the athlete," he said. "I was the best at what I do in Hawai'i. Not too many people can say that."

Chang started the 1,430-foot Wheeler BMX track in 1999 with four other fathers. They each put $50 into a bank account.

"That was the beginning," Chang said.

The Wheeler BMX track filled the void on O'ahu after one at Hickam Air Force Base closed in 1990.

"It was a much needed break," said Chang of the time without a track. "Met my wife, got married and started my family."

Chang's stepson D.J. Kraft, 14, is the current holder of the No. 1 plate for men in Hawai'i.

"I've passed the torch," Chang said. "I want to take him to nationals."

Chang added that if anybody in the state surpasses his accomplishments, he would like his son to be the one.

Maybe Chang's daughter Amber, 5, who will start riding soon, will surpass dad.