Over 1,000 amateur motocross racers of all ages and from all over the nation made their way to the Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua earlier this week.
The sounds of revving engines draws families from all around the country to Alachua County.
15 year old motocross racer, Cody Chisholm said, "Just going fast in the air, just racing with everybody...everything about it is just fun."
The Chisholm family has been coming to the Pro Circuit Winter National Olympics, or Mini-O's, for 15 years. Motocross is part of their family and they spend most weekends traveling to competitions.
Donna Chisholm said, "It just I think keeps families together, keeps the kids focused and even, I think it helps em do better in school if they have something to strive for...you know riding."
Gary Chisholm said, "There's only 5 big races a year, but we race a lot of the local races and it keeps us all together every weekend. We know where our kids are, so there not out you know, getting in trouble. You know that sometimes trouble finds teenagers."
Family time is a great perk of Motocross, but the focus is still on going fast and winning. Especially because amateur races like this one are where young riders get noticed and take the necessary steps to go pro.
Former professional Motocross racer, Leah Cantrell, said "This puts you on the level of you know, the best riders. You have all the way from the best riders to the beginner riders and you all get to ride together."
The Chisholm's oldest son Kyle rides professionally and Cody is working toward the same goal. He said, "And they all come out and watch and if you do good, you'll pretty much pick up a ride with somebody."
Motocross is growing in popularity in the U.S. and so is this competition. Event promoter Wyn Kern said families get hooked on Motocross. He said, "Kids get into it and it's one of those things that once you start racing, you really never get it out of your blood. And you know it's the adrenaline and people just love it."
That's true for thousands of riders across the nation and of course, the Chisholm family.