Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
|
The need for speed: 10-year-old headed to international motocross competition in Belgium “At the last race I remember this kid came over to block him and Austin landed on his back tire and flew threw the air like a rag doll,” Julie Forkner said. “I think everyone there in the stands heard me scream. I have wanted to run onto the track but you can’t because they would disqualify him. You just have to be crazy from afar.”
She said that it’s hard sometimes to watch her son race and not worry about him getting hurt. But in the end she has come to terms with and supports his dream of competing in motocross. Mike Forkner said he has been racing in motocross since he was 29. Last year he raced in an over-45-years-old circuit but has for the most part retired. Now he said he spends most of his weekends on the track with his son, who competes nearly 45 weekends out of the year. He said his son is ready for the upcoming competition in Belgium. “He is pumped. He doesn’t just want to go over there and compete, he wants to go over there and win his class,” Mike Forkner said. “There are something like 15 to 20 riders from the United States going over. And from what I have heard, Team USA is sort of treated like rock stars over there with people wanting autographs, even from kids like Austin, because USA is sort of the top dog over there.” Forkner said he has a tendency to get nervous before a race, and the international event will mark the biggest of his career so far. But for the most part, he said he is trying to put worries behind him and concentrate on the moment rather then letting it get to him. Regardless of the outcome of the race in Belgium, he is going to continue to ride and get to the track as often as possible — either to compete or to practice — and making friends with other riders along the way. “Most of my friends and I are about the same speed, we race each other hard,” he said. “That’s how you make each other faster, you push each other.” Sponsorships Austin Forkner’s motocross sponsors include Cobra Motorcycles USA, FMF, JM Racing, Pro Taper, Speed Graffix.com, MSR and Donnells Suzuki. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the People section
Mike Pound: This doesn't sound good Local artist soaks up surroundings for inspiration JPL book review: Ex-child star’s ‘Adventures’ funny, touching characters She gathers up art: Webb City native, MSSU grad creates sculptures from woods on the farm A real ear-opener: PSU instructor aims to stir the imaginations of preschoolers, college students |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
