Motorcycle Clinic for Kids

azoomm · 03-17-2011, 05:45 PM

Yesterday, we had our first Kid's Motorcycle Clinic. It all started when I got a phone call from a father who's son was racing dirt. The father has always done roadracing, and wanted his son to try a roadcourse. But, at age 8 the option is to put him on a bike and go racing OR get private lessons. For him, private lessons were not out of the question, but he wanted something that had him interacting with other kids as well.

Enter Brandon. Brandon Altmeyer is a 14-year-old racer that I sponsor. He raced Indy last year. He has been racing CMRA, WERA, CCS, TMGP, and others. Well, enough so to have expert plates with those organizations. We had the wild idea that we could take a few kids and put them together with Brandon. After all, they speak the same language...

It was a BLAST. I mean, days like yesterday is why many of us are in this business. To take someone from the start and watch them finish the day on a high note - WOW!!

The students were Calvin - age 13. Calvin's dad bought a few Ninja 250's and put them all together into a running machine. All on a budget of $500 - awesome little race bike. Perfect bike for Calvin as he's tall. Dylan - age 8 - was our other student. Dylan won the Texas Triple Crown Series 2010. 51cc open class.

Pictures: http://elitetrackdays.smugmug.com/Mo...19422812_H2gWN

One of my other instructors, Craig Gleason, aided on the assist with instruction. He also shot video of everyone out on the course. We now have two more that the track-bug has bitten

Archren · 03-17-2011, 05:54 PM

AWESOME!! I want to introduce my girls to riding... but I think they have a few years before they will really show any interest in it. Both of them are so... GIRLY...

shmike · 03-17-2011, 05:56 PM

Good deal, zoomie!

I think it is awesome that you are able to start them so young!

Is that kid on the TTR wearing his Dad's helmet!?

azoomm · 03-17-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

Is that kid on the TTR wearing his Dad's helmet!?

That seems to be the #1 thing people are picking on in the pictures. Trust me, it was safe. It was not my choice in helmets [Fulmar], but it had an XXS insert in it that was fitted to his head. My biggest concern was bobble-head and the helmet moving and obstructing his vision - moreso than an injury sustained from an impact. He was TINY. Helmet looks huge, it actually fit his head.

CasterTroy · 03-17-2011, 06:24 PM

This would be PERFECT for Ben!

I've been meaning to buy his bike soem road tires

skiergirl · 03-17-2011, 06:41 PM

Glad it worked out so well for them...

sorry I wasn't able to help out.....

derf · 03-17-2011, 07:28 PM

I would love for my daughter to do this, but she's a girl and thus wont be good at riding bikes, she is however a genetically superior passenger. My son will prolly love it when he comes of age and is ready to learn.

Really though looks like tons of fun, and that helmet looks huge on him

azoomm · 03-17-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

I would love for my daughter to do this, but she's a girl and thus wont be good at riding bikes, she is however a genetically superior passenger. My son will prolly love it when he comes of age and is ready to learn.

Really though looks like tons of fun, and that helmet looks huge on him

Silly boy.

My daughter was out playing around on the dirt oval while the boys were in class... then, when they went to open play sessions she went out on the track on my KTM. Poor thing, I'll have to let her know she isn't any good now...

TYEster · 03-17-2011, 08:29 PM

There's a dirt oval out there now?!

azoomm · 03-17-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TYEster

There's a dirt oval out there now?!

On the skid pad... it's a work in progress.

We're working on getting it more than a bit bigger than it is.

03-17-2011, 05:54 PM	#2
Archren Sham WOW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATX Moto: 2007 Ducati 1098 Posts: 2,741	AWESOME!! I want to introduce my girls to riding... but I think they have a few years before they will really show any interest in it. Both of them are so... GIRLY... __________________ Photography "The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time. It was impossible." - Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

03-17-2011, 05:56 PM	#3
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	Good deal, zoomie! I think it is awesome that you are able to start them so young! Is that kid on the TTR wearing his Dad's helmet!? __________________ Racing For Smiles

03-17-2011, 06:24 PM	#5
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	This would be PERFECT for Ben! I've been meaning to buy his bike soem road tires __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

03-17-2011, 07:28 PM	#7
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	I would love for my daughter to do this, but she's a girl and thus wont be good at riding bikes, she is however a genetically superior passenger. My son will prolly love it when he comes of age and is ready to learn. Really though looks like tons of fun, and that helmet looks huge on him __________________

03-17-2011, 05:45 PM	#1
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	Motorcycle Clinic for Kids Yesterday, we had our first Kid's Motorcycle Clinic. It all started when I got a phone call from a father who's son was racing dirt. The father has always done roadracing, and wanted his son to try a roadcourse. But, at age 8 the option is to put him on a bike and go racing OR get private lessons. For him, private lessons were not out of the question, but he wanted something that had him interacting with other kids as well. Enter Brandon. Brandon Altmeyer is a 14-year-old racer that I sponsor. He raced Indy last year. He has been racing CMRA, WERA, CCS, TMGP, and others. Well, enough so to have expert plates with those organizations. We had the wild idea that we could take a few kids and put them together with Brandon. After all, they speak the same language... It was a BLAST. I mean, days like yesterday is why many of us are in this business. To take someone from the start and watch them finish the day on a high note - WOW!! The students were Calvin - age 13. Calvin's dad bought a few Ninja 250's and put them all together into a running machine. All on a budget of $500 - awesome little race bike. Perfect bike for Calvin as he's tall. Dylan - age 8 - was our other student. Dylan won the Texas Triple Crown Series 2010. 51cc open class. Pictures: http://elitetrackdays.smugmug.com/Mo...19422812_H2gWN One of my other instructors, Craig Gleason, aided on the assist with instruction. He also shot video of everyone out on the course. We now have two more that the track-bug has bitten __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

03-17-2011, 06:41 PM	#6
skiergirl Gixxer Girl Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kyle, TX Moto: 05 GSXR 750 & 06 YZ250F Posts: 1,424	Glad it worked out so well for them... sorry I wasn't able to help out.....

03-17-2011, 08:29 PM	#9
TYEster With MORE TYEstosterone Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: TX Moto: '12 KX450F / 08 YZ250F #512 / 07 KX65 #1 Posts: 1,429	There's a dirt oval out there now?!