SALT LAKE CITY — Quintin Long began BMX (Bicycle Moto-cross X) racing only five months ago. He is already a champion and has won eight first place trophies. He rides at the nine novice level. All he has to do is win one more trophy and he can advance to the intermediate level. "He started out winning," said his mother, Fontayne Long. "Sometimes I wish he had not been so successful so he could experience what it would be like to lose. However, BMX racing has increased his self confidence and given him experience in setting goals. Long, 9, is in the third grade at Kearns-St. Ann School in Salt Lake City. He started BMX racing after his neighbor introduced him to the sport. BMX is a form of cycling on specially designed bicycles, which usually have 20-inch wheels. The sport includes races on indoor tracks and outdoor earthen tracks that have four straight-aways and three turns. BMX racing originated in California in the late 1960s when teenagers began imitating their motocross (motorcycle) heroes on their bicycles. "BMX racing is for boys, girls, men, and women from ages 3 to 60," said Fontayne. "All you need is a bicycle, a helmet, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. BMX racing has been so much fun, and has been a great way for us to spend time as a family and meet a lot of new people." A BMX single-lap race begins by dividing the riders into age groups. The first race is a moto-qualifying race and the winners advance to the main race. The race must have at least three riders and no more than eight riders. The riders start out in a shoot with their front wheels on a gate. When the gate goes up, the race begins, although the races are not timed. To qualify, a rider must cross the finish line even if he or she walks the bike across. Long says when a rider crashes, the other riders will stop to help. Advanced riders add jumps to gain distance.
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