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Bike Racer Is On Track

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 19, 2008

Updated: 01/17/2008 06:44 pm

LUTZ - During practice runs such as these, music blares through the loudspeakers as dozens of riders of varying ages and sizes climb to the starting gate.

As the horn sounds, the young riders hurl themselves down a dirt ramp through a winding course of jumps and turns. The first to cross the finish line is the winner.

Tyler Heinrichs, 12, is getting used to winning. He recently beat out hundreds of riders in his class at a national competition in Columbus, Ohio.

The races, the President's Cup and the Christmas Classic, held Dec. 27-29, were sponsored by the National Bicycle League.

More than 30 family members traveled to Columbus to see him compete.

"His first national race, he won. It's incredible," said his father, Art Heinrichs, who is president of Tampa BMX Raceway in Lake Park, where Tyler trains.

Tyler was 5 when his father first took him to the track.

"He said, 'Dad, I want to try that,' but we were worried it was too dangerous for him," his father said.

Last year, they let Tyler start racing.

"He's just excelled incredibly," said his mother, Susie Heinrichs. Since then, her son has broken an arm and an elbow.

"It doesn't faze him, and I've learned to live with the falls," she said.

Tyler practices three days a week and competes in individual and team races twice a week.

"I learned a lot from watching older riders," Tyler said. He also studied under one of the track's professionals.

It helps that he lives across the road from Lake Park.

For the Heinrichses, BMX racing has become a family affair. Tyler's sister Allie, 14, became interested after seeing her brother perform. She competed in Columbus as well, placing fourth in the girls division of the President's Cup race.

Bicycle motocross racing is just that - a straight-up race around the track, not to be confused with BMX freestyle, where style points come into play.

The sport has the distinction of being one of the first developed by kids for kids. It began in California in the early 1970s.

The National Bicycle League was born in 1974 as a sanctioning organization. Tampa BMX Raceway opened three years later. To compete at the track a rider needs only a bicycle and a helmet.

"His friends all come to race now," Tyler's mother said. "They want to do what he does."

The track's staff is made up of volunteers. Art Heinrichs handles administrative duties.

"It's unbelievable how many families come out to this," he said.

Weeknight practices typically draw 50 to 60 youngsters. A $45 annual membership covers insurance. Practices cost $3. Competing in races costs $4.

There are three youth-level classes in amateur racing: rookie, novice and expert. Tyler moved through the rookie class in three months. By winning the President's Cup race, he achieved expert class.

He must wait until he is 17 to graduate to the adult "elite" level. He wants to turn pro, but his ultimate goal - Olympic competition - requires he remain an amateur.

BMX will be a medal sport for the first time at the Beijing Summer Olympics in August. Tyler is targeting the 2012 Games in London.

"It's a dream," his father said. "I wouldn't put it past him."

TAMPA BMX RACEWAY
LOCATION: 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway (at Lake Park)

INFORMATION: (813) 265-1269 or www.tampabmx.com

FEES: Membership in the National Bicycle League is $45 a year. It costs $4 to race and $3 for practice.

HOURS: Practice is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Races are held at 8 p.m. Fridays and 1 p.m. Sundays.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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