After 5: Throttle Down: Dirt-bike racing offers reprieve from hectic business schedules

The 30-year-old registered representative with New York Life Insurance Co. is an off-road dirt-bike racer, having competed in more than 100 races since taking up the sport in 2002.

“Being on the line, when they drop the flag … there’s nothing like the adrenaline pump of it,” Martin says.

Martin’s friend Scott Frazier, owner of H2O Technical Services, introduced Martin to dirt-bike racing. While Martin’s been taking a break from the action to help with his parents’ business, Daylight Donuts, he’s still a devoted rider.

“When you’re on a dirt track riding a dirt bike, you absolutely forget about everything else,” adds racer Christiaan Horton, an attorney with Neale & Newman LLP. “The power that you have at the twist of your wrist is incredible.”

Dirt-bike racing comes in two basic forms. There is motocross on a closed, circular dirt track with manmade turns, jumps and speed bumps called “whoops,” and there is cross-country through woods along marked routes and over natural terrain. Motocross – Horton’s race of choice – features 10 to 20 riders in roughly 20-minute races, and cross-country racing – Martin’s preference – has 100 to 200 racers typically competing for a two-hour period.

Kevin Pridemore, owner of KPC Tile & Stone in Ozark, has competed in both styles since the 1970s.

“Motocross is my preferred type of dirt biking, but it’s more of a young man’s sport,” the 49-year-old says. “It can be more violent if you crash, because the crashes are typically much harder.”

Terry Brumley hasn’t let age keep him off his bike. The 61-year-old owner of Turner Station Welding, which Brumley operates from his home about seven miles east of Springfield, still competes in cross-country racing and says he’ll ride “as long as I can walk.” Brumley’s favorite part is the camaraderie among racers.

So does Martin, the New York Life representative, recommend people stay away from dirt-bike racing or risk serious injury? Not in the least.

“To me, it’s not any more dangerous than getting in my car and driving to work,” Martin says.

Want to ride?

Cross-country racer Shane Martin says dirt-bike prices range from $1,000 to $7,000, and equipment including helmets, chest protectors, knee guards, gloves, boots and goggles costs between $200 and $1,000. People can ride trails in Mark Twain National Forest in Chadwick or contact Ozark Mountain Trail Riders Association through its Web site, www.hillbillygp.com, for more information.

Bike and equipment costs should be about the same in motocross, and racer Christiaan Horton suggests contacting Bart Hobbs at Legends Raceway Motocross Park in Halfway, www.legendsracewaymx.com, for more information.[[In-content Ad]]