Middle Atlantic Motocross Association

On May 13-14 at South Fork MX in Disputanta, Va., the Middle Atlantic Motocross Association (MAMA MX) promoted the AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking initiative as a part of its two-day event. MAMA MX, a nonprofit motocross sports organization, has a long history encouraging riding among youth. It began as a youth-only organization back in the 1970s and would eventually merge with the AMA’s District 7 motocross division in the early 2000s. MAMA now offers race classes for the whole family across Maryland, Virginia, northern North Carolina, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

“We had a station set up for kids to sign the Take a Kid Dirt Biking banner…and the kids loved the goodie bags and were so excited to be a part of this,” MAMA MX Events Coordinator Deena Goshorn-Gately told us. “We explained what the initiative was about, how they are a big part of helping to share their love of the sport to others, and how they can encourage their friends to get out at a practice track or attend a future race.”

“MAMA MX appreciates all [the materials] you sent,” said MAMA MX Treasurer Courtney Kaczka, “and the [AMA’s] partnership in raising the best kids — those who love dirt biking.”

Peoria Motorcycle Club

The Peoria Motorcycle Club, which happens to have the oldest continuing dirt track in the world, is an AMA-chartered club that was formed in 1931. While the club is perhaps best known for hosting and promoting the Grand National Peoria TT, this year the club wanted to do something different — reach out to new young riders with a riding clinic. And the AMA’s Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month fit perfectly with the club’s goals.

While PMC had its youth riding clinic for newer riders, they also had a trials school and flat track school going on at the club that day.

“Our Youth Day Ride was a huge success with the kids,” PMC member and AMA Charter Life Member Jay Williamson told us. “We started out having kids do basic riding exercises in the morning, and then the afternoon session included more advanced riding skills. We even had two kids sign up for AMA Youth Membership at the event.”

Owyhee Motorcycle Club

The Owyhee Motorcycle Club, an AMA historic chartered club, recently became the first motorcycle-related club or track in the country to become listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Since the 1940s, the club’s 80 acres have been graced by many AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers, including Bob Hannah, Roger DeCoster, Broc Glover, Mert Lawwill and Gary Jones.

While the club has routinely been threatened by developers due to its unique setting near town and the growth of Boise, Idaho, its many members and sponsors continue to support and fight for the club, and one of its goals is to continue to offer events for kids and families.

The club has Peewee races each month, and on May 20 it held Peewee races and a Trials event together in conjunction with the AMA’s Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month.

“It was great to see all the families and kids that came out,” said OMC Public Relations and Advertising Coordinator Michelle Webb. “Everyone, including the parents, had smiles and lots of fun. Each kid out there riding picked up new skills. While it was a hot day, it didn’t stop the kids from racing around the track or slowly working their way through the obstacles in the trials sections.”

Florida Trials Association

The Florida Trials Association held an event at Croom Motorcycle Area near Brooksville, Fla., to introduce more kids to trials riding, also adopting the AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking theme.

Kids in attendance like Jaydan Jackson, who hadn’t been riding very long, got to attempt trials riding for the first time.

“The Florida Trials Association appreciates the efforts of the American Motorcyclist Association in bringing our youth into the gratifying activity of motorcycling,” Florida Trials Association Secretary Mark Williams told us after the event.

5“Lucy and I participated in the 4th Annual Get Out and Ride: New Rider Motorcycle Experience put on by The Scooter Crew 501(c)(3) near Nashville, Tenn.”

6“We’re just trying to show our kids that life isn’t all about technology... it’s about getting outside, doing what you love and enjoying being with each other.”

6“Brantley had his very first dirt bike ride! He’s doing great and loving it!”

5“[Trevor] competed his very first race at Diamond MX in Wareham, Mass., last weekend. He met some new friends, and now he’s hooked into the MX family.”