Staff Writer
MAPLETON – Dirt spewed from behind motorcycle tires and engines growled as Mapleton-native Erik St. Peter raced to two championships in the 2007 Maine Motocross season.
St. Peter, a Presque Isle High School graduate, compiled a first-place standing in both the 250 B and 250 open divisions of the nine-race fall series of motorcycle action.
During motocross races the participants try to beat each other to first place in the allotted period of time, each competition usually lasts between 20 and 25 minutes. Simple enough rules, but not an easy feat considering the ruts, dips and hairpin turns along the way. Weather conditions can cause further obstacles, with contests held in all-kinds of elements.
“It’s one of the most physically draining sports,” said St. Peter. “If you’re not in shape your arms will lock up. You get dirt in your face, lots of marks from rocks. I had a friend who got a rock in the nose.”
He also sustained injuries on the track. “I got my bell rung a couple times by the ground. It still hurts with the helmet on. I’ve had a concussion, too.” Nevertheless, St. Peter and other members of Maine Motocross continue to enjoy the competition and promotion of the sport. Racers speed around the courses in organized events, under referee and spectator supervision, for plaques and jackets.
The danger draws adrenaline-rush enthusiasts of all ages, like St. Peter, and makes mother’s of riders a little nervous. “She was skeptical at first,” said St. Peter about his mother’s reaction to taking up the event, “but now she wouldn’t miss it.” He is the son of Steve and Karen St. Peter.
St. Peter began racing in 2001, practicing on a field loop behind his home. “It’s always been an interest of mine, riding. I’ve been on sleds since I was a kid, and my friends all had bikes.”
The association holds events at Noridgewalk, Bethel, Lyman and Auburn throughout the year. St. Peter normally takes part in 12 to 15. He rides an A450, the largest dirtbike available, sponsored by Pat’s Custom Sled and Cycle in Medway and Red’s Recreational in Caribou.
“I like having weekends with your family, meeting people. Some of the people I’ve met have come up in the winter to sled.”
St. Peter attends Northern Maine Community College as a contracting major, and plans to continue his hobby into next year with the same race-plan: “Be consistent, don’t crash and just be top three to five.”
Contributed photo/Karin St. Peter
ERIK ST.PETER, a Mapleton native, rounds the curve in a fall season motocross race. St. Peter claimed two titles.
