ATV racing: sport for the whole family

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

Racing may be seen as a solitary sport, but for Andy Kyner, it?s sport that brings families together and forms strong friendships.

Kyner is the president of Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series (IATVHSS), which is a series of seven races across Iowa, with one pit stop in northeast Missouri. The series, which stopped outside Mt. Pleasant at Greenhurst Farms on Aug. 1 ? 2, featured approximately 300 riders from ages four to 71.

?We have approximately 60 kids in each race and most of them started because dad, or even mom, races,? said Kyner.

That?s how Hunter Jensen, 5, began racing. Hunter?s dad, Chris, had been racing for a while and took Hunter along with him to some races last year.

?My buddy and I race and he tagged along. He seemed to really like it so tomorrow he?s going to ride in his second race,? he said of his little tot.

Hunter?s grandma, Wendy Jensen, even drove down from Minnesota to see her grandson race.

?I?m so very proud of you,? she cooed as her son fastened the last of Hunter?s safety equipment to his pint-size frame before he rode in the ?parade,? which showed the kids the route of the course they would race in on Sunday.

?This is the first time I?ve seen Hunter race,? she said as she waved her grandson on.

Wendy said her kids always had ATVs around when they were little and that?s where Chris? fascination with racing came from.

Gavin Roeder, 12, of Trenton, Mo., started racing when he was six or seven.

?My dad races, but I really wanted to do it because my friend raced,? he said.

Since then, Roeder said he?s made a lot of friends because of racing and he gets to spend time with his dad when they?re working on his ATV and driving to the various tracks they?ll both race at.

Ricci Serek, of Norwalk, said this weekend was all about family. Serek?s husband Paul and her two boys, Adam, 12, and Nicholas, 14, all race.

?This is our family summer,? she said as she shielded her eyes from the sun. ?From May to October we?re out at races on the weekend.?

In fact, this was where Adam wanted to spend his birthday.

?Once they get done (with the practice lap) we?re going to have cupcakes down by the pond and sing him happy birthday. He wanted to spend his 12th birthday with his family and racing friends,? she said.

Kyner said one of his biggest joys is seeing all the kids interacting after the race and forging friendships.

?Last year, after the races, I looked out and there were 36 kids playing football. They were from seven different states and they were making friendships that are going to last,? he said.

IATVHSS next stop will be in Carlisle for the Heartland Challenge on Aug. 21-22.