The third annual Haunted MX for kids went off this weekend in Washington State. Eddie and Aubrey Hernandez of Hubby Racing host this event every year. The event is geared towards kids eighteen and younger, but everyone is welcome. The Hernandez have really gotten the community behind this event. They have over 50 local sponsors chipping in to make the Haunted MX big for the kids. Wal-Mart, Dominos, Pizza Hut, South Sound Honda and BBR Motorsports, just to name a few. The event is held in the Hernandez backyard on a five acre track. The track winds around their property using every inch of available space for riding. They even have a double jump that launches over their driveway! The Hernandez also convert their home shop into a haunted house and open it up to scare the local kids and riders. The neighbors even chip in and help with setting up the haunted house and the track.
The day starts out with a riding clinic with pro instructors teaching the kids skills for both quads and dirt bikes. The thirty plus kids that were lucky enough to get on the invite list were separated into groups by riding ability. The instructors start out by giving safety tips and teaching good sportsmanship. Next it was time to ride. We practiced starts, cornering, and worked on our jumping skills. At lunch time Dominoes and Pizza Hut came out with donated pizza for all of the riders. There was an unlimited amount of candy and junk food available at all times. It really was a Halloween party! Nothing like getting jacked up on candy and riding dirt bikes as a kid. Life is good when your 11!
After lunch we headed back out to the track for a relay race. Each group was divided into equal teams with riders taking turns to race three laps around the track. In my group, most of us were on 110s and 65s, so it was fun to slam around the tight course as fast as we could. After the relay race we were turned loose for some open riding. In my group it was like one big race, or at least everyone thought it was. Once the sun had gone down and everyone had their fill of riding, it was time for the raffle, costume party, and graduation. Everyone that took the course received a medal and certificates showing they had completed the riding class. While we waited for the haunted house to open there was a raffle with tons of motorcycle related prizes…and more food and candy of course!
The haunted house was a huge hit. All of the riders stayed to check it out, plus the neighbors and kids from the community showed up for some scary fun. The haunted house was set up to be very scary for the big kids, but they toned it down for the younger ones and parents. The Hernandez family spent weeks setting up the haunted house and it really showed. Everyone had a blast and wanted to go though again! Kids like me snuck through as many times as we could. Thanks to everyone at Hubby Racing for a great day and we will see you next year. To get this event on your calendar and to get signed up for one of the limited spots, go to www.hubbyracing.org.
Now we need somebody to put on a Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day, Saint Patrick’s, Easter….riding party! Can’t wait, I’ll be there!
See ya at the races – Carson
