The MotoMomBooks.com Race Team recently returned from the Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. It was a very challenging week, with a new heat index record being set for the area - 115 degrees on Wednesday, August 4th. One of our riders, Cael McCutcheon, had a very good week. After a mediocre first moto in the 50cc 4-6 Stock Shaft Drive class, Cael came alive with some inspired riding to finish 13th in the second moto and 7th in the third moto. His late charge was enough to give him a tenth overall. We couldn't be prouder of our little rider! He showed some real heart and determination.
The funny thing is he probably won't remember much about riding to a tenth place finish in the nation when he is older. He will remember the things that matter most to a six year old - swimming in the pool with his family and friends, doing a front flip from twenty feet up in a tree into the creek (after his last moto, of course!), eating a celebratory ice cream cone, playing corn hole at our camp site, holding up the pit board for his cousin Austin Coon and friend Jon Rudolph, riding around in the mule to find Motopoly cards, and playing video games with the big boys in Austin's camper.
Having your six year old son place tenth in the nation at Loretta's is an awesome feeling. It makes all the driving, all the preparation, all the time, effort, and money seem worth while. But is it the most important thing to take away from Loretta's? No. We took our family on a vacation they won't forget for a long time. We enjoyed each other's company and made the best of a very hot and somewhat stressful week. We supported each other through thick and thin, through wrecks and bad motos. We made memories that will last a lot longer than a ten dollar plaque. That is what racing is for us - fun and most importantly, family.
