Fair gives local motocross riders chance to show skills

Scott Schaefer (left) of Lakeview and Tyler Terrell of New Carlisle compete at the American MX motocross races at the Clark County Fair on Monday, July 27. Staff photos by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara J. Perenic Scott Schaefer (left) of Lakeview and Tyler Terrell of New Carlisle compete at the American MX motocross races at the Clark County Fair on Monday, July 27. Staff photos by Barbara J. Perenic

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Brock Hardy (448) of Jamestown leads a group while competing at the American MX motocross races at the Clark County Fair on Monday.

Barbara J. Perenic Brock Hardy (448) of Jamestown leads a group while competing at the American MX motocross races at the Clark County Fair on Monday.

By Staff Writer Updated 7:39 AM Tuesday, July 28, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Carey Davis doesn’t spend his summers at camp, or vacationing on the beach.

He spends them on a dirt bike.

Davis, a 12-year-old sixth grader at Reid Elementary school, rides dirt bikes in the Ohio County Fairgrounds Motocross Championship series.

He’s been riding since he was four years old and travels to about 25 different races at different county fairs throughout the summer.

“It’s the funnest thing to do when you’re little,” Davis said.

Davis was one of 60 local competitors at the Clark County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 27. There were 27 different races with 25 classes, including pros and amateurs, with age groups ranging from 4 to 40.

Davis loves everything about motocross, although he does find time to play baseball in the summer. He’s hoping to turn pro in motocross someday.

“The jumps, the doubles and the turns, they’re all awesome, especially when you start to jump them,” Davis said.

New Carlisle native Matt Ketcheson, 29, caught the motocross bug in 1995. Five years later, he turned pro and has raced in the American Motorcyclist Association Arenacross Series.

“I picked up on it really quick,” Ketcheson said.

He loves the adrenaline rush that comes with racing dirt bikes.

“It’s the thrill of it,” Ketcheson said. “I just really love being able to jump a bike.”

In the air, of course, he’s got different things on his mind.

“You just think about making it,” Ketcheson said.

The 1999 Tecumseh High School graduate loves being able to ride in his hometown.

“It’s nice,” Ketcheson said. “It’s close to home. You don’t have to go out of state. It’s good for getting more people into it throughout the area.”

Ketcheson said the local interest in motocross keeps growing and growing.

“There are 10 times more riders out in the area now than back in the day,” Ketcheson said.

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