Bailey Harris is an 8-year old boy from Richmond whose favourite sport is motocross, and it’s something he’s been doing since he was five years old. After racing the NZ Mini Motocross Nationals in Hawkes Bay last week, he will accelerate to guarantee his third win at the MTF Nelson Mini Motocross Champs.
“Hopefully some of my friends come around and have some good battles and hopefully I can get the hat-trick,” says Bailey. “Riding a motorbike is really fun. It’s a good sport that sometimes can be dangerous. I like it because it’s a really hard sport. Usually, rugby, soccer, cricket, they are like all sort of basic sports. And not many people ride motocross, so I just wanted to be one of the different people and try something new. I knew how rugby, cricket and soccer was so I thought, ‘why can’t I do something different?”, says the young champ.
Fiona Harris is Bailey’s mother and the high costs and his safety are her main concerns. “I think it’s just scary for people to put their kids on a motorbike. And it’s expensive. But I wouldn’t change it for anything,” she says.
“We have always taught him that nothing is given to you. He’s done a couple of raffles to raise some money to go to the nationals last year. We go out and get some sponsors who help us pay for the events. He also goes out, collects and sells the eggs from his chickens to raise some money. If you teach kids that, then they can help out and we are not just going to give him what he wants,” says Fiona.
The MTF Nelson Mini Motocross Champs will be held on Saturday 19 (from 10am to 5pm) and Sunday 20 (from 10am to 3pm) at Richmond Park Showgrounds (358 Lower Queen St). It is for children from 4 to 11year olds.Online entries available through www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/31615.