Eight-year-old Bryce Petersen is the youngest racer in the KwaZulu-Natal Junior Racing series and was recently placed third in his class. Malcom and Kerryn Petersen gave birth to baby Bryce in 2006, August 10 and two years later Bryce was blessed with a little brother, Tyler.

Bryce attends Winterton Primary School and is currently doing grade three.Bryce was introduced to the sport at a very young age. “I started riding motorbikes when I was three-years-old.”My dad would tie a rope to my small PW50 and run behind me with the rope as I learned how to control the bike.

“My small bike had training wheels. I have been riding ever since with my friends at fun rides and on weekends,” says Bryce with great interest.As a beginner and it only being Bryce’s first year riding competitively, he has joined the Regional Junior Clubmans Class.

“Sometimes I ride motorcross at Green Bus, which is a fun day held once a month, but I much prefer the more technical rides in the bush because that’s what I grew up doing with my dad.”If I want to become a better Enduro rider, I need to ride Motorcross to learn different riding styles,” Bryce enlightens.

He considers himself lucky, as his younger brother Tyler loves Motocross riding, so he gets to go to both Motocross and Enduro races.Bryce enjoys being outdoors and while riding loves to admire his surroundings.When asked who his role model was he answered with confidence: “My dad, he is a great rider and he taught me everything I know about the sport.”

Bryce rides a 65cc bike, and he looks forward to joining the Junior Regional Class next year.”I don’t mind being the youngest in my class but it makes me try harder.”I have made so many friends at the races.”We all seem to learn from each other because we ride together,” said the eight-year-old.

Bryce is quite the sportsmen, as he plays rugby, cricket and swims at school galas, while he also enjoys fishing during summer at Wagendrift Dam with his family and friends. “I just love riding and it is fun for me, I still love doing sport after school.

“I ride my bike on weekends, so I hope rugby matches are not on the same day as any of the races,” Bryce exclaimed.
Bryce said that his friends and family have been his support system, and encourages others who share a similar love for the sport to try it out.

“It is great fun being outdoors, surrounded by long grass and remember, falling is part of the fun.”At this stage Bryce will compete in regional races as he feels that it is only his first year and nationals would be far out from town.

In the next few years he looks forward to being sponsored to compete in national bike races. “There are six races left this year. In my first race I came sixth and in my second race, I was placed third.”It isn’t always about getting prizes because there is a lucky draw after the races,” explains Bryce.

Bryce’s main highlight is the fact that his family accompanies him to all the races and remembers when his uncle Denzil went along to Marshall a race he partook in. Completing school is at the top of Bryce’s bucket list.”I would love to race as a career, but I first have to finish school.”Even if I don’t always race, I would like to ride with my children one day,” said Bryce.