Joliet Herald News


Herald News, The (Joliet, IL)



August 21, 2005

Ride for a lifetime New Lenox 13-year- old has sights set on professional bike career


Author: Terry Coley

Section: sports
Page: C9







Index Terms:
NEWS


Estimated printed pages: 3



Article Text:

It was a long time coming, but the reward was worth the wait for Drew Yenerich of New Lenox. The 13- year-old dirt bike racer competed in the Air Natiques/AMA Amateur Motocross Championships, the largest amateur motocross race in the world, at Loretta Lynn`s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

This was the culmination of not one, not two, not even three years of competition. Yenerich has been racing since he was 6 years old, moving up and improving each year.

His father, Mike, was a motorcycle racer, so the involvement was a natural.

"When he was young I took him to a race in Rockford and asked him if would like to do that," Mike Yenerich related. "He didn`t hesitate a second, saying `yeah` immediately."

Drew started with a 50cc bike. Twice he made it to another national event, finishing 22nd and 23rd. But this time around, he placed 11th in two classes, stock and modified.

Stock bikes have no modifications and are essenti! ally the same type of bikes one would purchase for off-road use. Modification bikes have suspension and ignition modifications, among other things.

The entire process began at what is termed the area level. Overall, nearly 20,000 hopefuls from across the nation began their quest to reach the finals, of which only 1,400 qualify in all divisions and all ages, boys, girls, men and women.

The area for Drew was in Tennessee.

"A racer had to finish in the top 10 to advance to the next level," Drew indicated. "After that we advance to the regional."

Ranch track

Strangely enough, the regionals were closer to home, in Salem, Ill. Once again, Drew needed to finish in the top 10 to advance to the next level, which was the nationals.

After four months, Drew made the cut in the 12-13 age group in the 85cc division. The track at the ranch consists of a variety of jumps, corners, and other obstacles designed to test the skills and stamina of racers. Sin! ce Drew had qualified and was participating in two events, stock as we ll as modified, he knew he was going to be tested, especially his stamina.

"I work out in preparation for the events," he confided. "A biker has to be in good shape to ride in all the events. We race for 20 minutes, not just a certain number of laps. After 20 minutes, there are two more laps. The weather is hot and with the gear on, it is more than 100 degrees so a racer has to be in shape."

There were three races for each class, which meant Drew participated in six races overall. Scores are kept on how a racer finishes. After three races, the lowest tally wins. Drew placed 11th overall in both classes.

The events require a racer to have multiple bikes.

"I go through a lot of bikes," he admitted, relating how he went through nearly 10 bikes this season alone. "But we use bikes from previous years to practice with and save the new ones for the races."

Home-schooling

Along with dad Mike and mom Alison, Drew had his own mechanic, Dave Clevela! nd.

"Dave was involved in a mountain bike club when I had a bike shop," Mike said. "He asked if we needed a helping hand and I took him up on the offer."

Practice sessions are conducted at Motorland, near Portage, Ind. But come this winter, Drew and his family will be spending a great deal of time in Carol, Ga., where one of the top facilities in the entire nation is located. Because of this, Drew, an eighth-grader, will be home- schooled this year.

"Going to Georgia will give us an opportunity to train more consistently," Mike said. "One reason is we will be using a bigger bike next season, a 125cc."

Drew welcomes the move up to a bigger bike.

"In October we are going to go to the 125cc because I am getting older and will be in the 12-15 age group with this bike," he said. "I am also getting bigger (5-5, 115 pounds) and the bigger bike will carry my weight better. I am looking forward to the Georgia training because they not only have tracks b! ut they have a gym where I can stay in shape."

Professional goal

The one thing Drew does is ride the stationary bike to develop his cardio endurance. "Yeah, it makes me really appreciate the motor under me after peddling a lot," he mused.

This is not something one gets into alone. Drew is fortunate to have many sponsors, including Pro Source Motorsports, Answer Racing, One Industries, Smith Optics, Trackside Grafx, Ready Filters, Concept Haulers, ASV Inventions, Universal and Sikolene Lubricants. Also, RK Chains, Vortex Sprockets, Excel Rims, Sidi Boots, MX Bonz, Frese Discount Center, Ride Engineering, Dunlap Tires, Fuel Clothing, Haro Bikes, KSA Handlebars and White Knuckle Grips.

Having been successful the past few years has ignited the spirit in Drew to move forward with his dream to be a professional racer. Having recently graced the cover of "Mini Racer" magazine, Drew feels he is well on the way.

"My goal is to be a professional by the time I am 16 years old," he admitted. "I have been working for this and ! this is what I want to do."

With his appetite whetted by the strong finish at the nationals, a determined effort and continued commitment is all that Drew Yenerich may need to achieve his dream.