HAWKESBURY enduro riders Oscar and Ariana Collins along with Kyle Sandstrom live and breath motorcycle riding, and are the next generation of local racers.
Oscar, 14 and sister Ariana, 12, from Ebenezer competed in the NSW Junior Enduro series this year, along with good friend Kyle Sandstrom, 11 from East Kurrajong.
Sandstrom actually won his age group, while Oscar came third in that competition, and also the NSW Off Road Championships. Ariana didn’t win, but received an outstanding achievement award after being one of the youngest riders in the competition.
The trio all ride and practise together, and indeed support each other at the different events they compete at over the season.
Despite the inherent danger of competing in motorcycle riding, their parents all back their desire to race, and believe it has made them more mature and confident.
Kyle described his feelings about racing differently.
“I just like ripping through the bush,” he said of competing in the NSW Junior Enduro Series.
Kyle competed in his first series in 2017, and said he thoroughly enjoyed going across New South Wales to ride bikes.
“It is fun. I like going up hills and going over different tracks,” he said.
It was Ariana’s first time in competing the series too, and she also enjoyed it.
She was in a male dominated age group, although said she didn’t mind, after growing up riding bikes with her brother Oscar.
Indeed, Ariana is looking forward to next season because an all girls class will be created.
Unlike his sister and Kyle, Oscar has competed in the series before, winning the competition last year.
Oscar convinced his sister and Kyle to get into racing, and despite not winning this season, still had a great time.
“It was amazing. It was so much fun, getting out in the bush, which is way better than going around a motocross track all day,” he said.
“It was very tough competition and there were awesome competitors.”
