Many students at South are participating in high octane racing in order to satisfy their need for speed. Competing on the track takes a certain type of courage and sharpness that allows them to race at high speeds with their own vehicle.
This type of racing involves off-road vehicles that take high octane gas so the riders can achieve high speeds while racing through a track with rough terrain. In order to enter a competition, participants need to use the dirt bikes or ATVs that they’ve spent their valuable time and money on. To get a good understanding of the price these students have to pay in order to ride, South juniors Sawyer Bailey and Kylan Pitman mention how much time and money they put towards their bikes in order to keep them up to par with the other competitors.
“I spend around 200-300 bucks a year on parts for my bike and that is very low, I pretty much only buy things to keep it running not to upgrade it,” said Bailey. Although, students who are more involved tend to spend a lot more money.”
“I personally spend almost all of my time in the garage, riding anywhere I can, or in the line waiting to race,” said Pitman. “I spend a lot of money on my passion for dirt bikes. For example, I spent $700 in one week because it blew up the weekend before. And as far as upgrades I put the time and money in when I can. My next upgrade to my new bike will be an Apex race head.”
These vehicles cost hundreds of dollars to upgrade and maintain, but that doesn’t prevent these racers from competing and showing their skills on the track. These speedsters’ passion for racing outweighs the all the costs required to put into the sport. To these riders, racing is the best feeling in the world. “I don’t know the exact words but I feel free. Like nothing is wrong in the world. It’s just like the best feeling in the world to ride and race,” said Pitman.
“I like to go fast!” said sophomore Keath Gentry.
John Livingston, a counselor at BHSS, supervises a new club involving nearly 30 kids that also ride all things High Octane. This club has its own Facebook account that these students can use as a tool to bring together all sorts of riders including quads, dirt bikes, side by sides, and other high octane vehicles. Pitman, a club member, thought the first meeting went well. “It was good, bigger turn out than I had thought!”
The high octane riding presence at South has grown due to this club, and has given South more athletic versatility. Whether it be competitive or recreational, these students have a passion they share and a community that provides a place for this passion to thrive thanks to Livingston and all the students who are involved in the club.
