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Amerine family enjoys the hometown motocross edge
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Motocross riders work the track at the Supercross Shootout at the Great Bend Expo. Racing resumes today. - photo by JIM MISUNAS Great Bend Tribune

Motocross racing is a team effort for the Amerine family.
Their motocross schedule with 12-year-old Kaden Amerine  criss-crosses the country during the calendar year. That’s what makes the Supercross Shootout at the Great Bend Expo so special.
Instead of traveling to a destination, the Amerine family can stay at home. They are accustomed to spending time in their luxurious motorhome, which was parked at the Great Bend Expo.  The park was filled with motorbikes and fans who planned to attend  the races later in the day.
“It’s nice to be close to home one time a year,” said Missy Amerine, who works with her husband Craig setting the schedule and making sure everything all the equipment ois in its proper place.  “A lot of friends and family can see Kaden ride when we’re close to home. Kaden really enjoys it.”
The family owns and operates Amercin Utilies Construction, which installs underground cable.
Kaden literally grew up on a motorbike, thanks to a friendship with Tallan Smith. Missy remembers that Kaden was maybe 4 years old when he started riding.
“I’ve done it all my life,” Kaden said. “It’s fun.  I’ve always liked riding.”
Kaden rides in as many as four separate classes, which are divided by age, and type of motorbike and course.  A supercross track features more jumps. A motocross  track features more straighaways.
Missy said Kaden has been taught to be humble, so it’s hard to get him to talk about his success. But Missy said there have been timesd when Kaden has won all four of his race divisions.
“Kaden has been taught to keep things on an even keel,” Missy said.
Kaden has learned enough that he considers riding skill a more important factor than what type of notorbike you are riding.
“I believe a lot of it is on the rider,” he said.
One of Kaden’s specialties is keeping a low trajectory over jumps to get back up to top speed.
Missy said the family makes sacrifices to make a weekend schedule work. One concession is Kaden and his sisterKaeli, 16, are home schooled by their mother. Whenever the family travels, everyone goes.
“That allows the flexibility we need,” Missy said.
The Supercross Shootout is being held in conjunction with the Big Bend Motorcycle Rally, which will take place Saturday
Gates for the race weekend will open from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, although racing is expected to continue until 5 or 6 p.m. on Sunday.
General admission to the motocross race is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Because the event is on the same premises as the Big Bend Bike Rally, spectators for the motocross race can enjoy the rally entertainment as well.
The sponsor s for the second annual Hahn Brothers Supercross Shootout are motocross promoters Wil and Tommy Hahn.