Atlas Township youngster Hunter Walters has recently adapted his motorcycle racing hobby to fit the colder weather of winter.
Hunter, 7, a second grader at Reid Elementary in Goodrich, has recently begun competing in indoor motorcycle racing on ice. He said it’s different from regular motorcycle racing in that ‘it’s slippier and colder and stuff.?
He also said he uses a special bike for racing on the ice, and makes sure he wears plenty of equipment while practicing and racing: a chest protector, goggles, boots, helmet, shin pads and jersey. He owns two bikes, a Yamaha and a Kawasaki; he uses the Yamaha more for indoor racing and the Kawasaki for outdoor racing.
His dad, Glenn Walters of Atlas, said he estimated spending about $100 extra to properly equip Hunter’s bike for motorcycle ice racing. He said he equipped both the front and rear tires with screws, fenders and covers.
Walters said Hunter has been riding out in the backyard since he was about 4 years old, but started racing competitively last winter. He said Hunter has competed in about 12 races so far in his fledgling career.
He said racing on the ice track is actually safer than on a dirt track ‘because all they do is go around in a circle and learn how to slide,? whereas with dirt tracks, riders have to deal with jumps.
He said Hunter practices about three days a week in the backyard outside his Atlas Township home, although ‘he’d do it every day if I let him.?
Right now, Hunters is training for a race later this week that will be run in honor of a friend and neighbor.
He intends to take part in the Flint Motorcycle Club’s race at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Perani Arena in Flint. He said he is dedicating this year’s race to Nick Page, a sixth-grader at Goodrich Middle School who died last month. Hunter said it will be the second time he has competed in a motorcycle race on ice.
Walters said he and Nick’s father, Rod Page, live not too far from one another on the same Atlas Township street, and Nick and Hunter got to know one another as a result.
‘He’s going to win this for Nick,? Walters said.
Jennifer Boulis, spokeswoman for the Flint Motorcycle Club, said this is the 47th annual motorcycle ice race the club has sponsored. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for children, with proceeds go to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Details: (810) 686-8676.