Local 3-year-old a motocross natural

SUTTON — Age and talent have no direct link.

Three-year-old Chase Andersen bolts out of the large, white trailer with all his family’s dirt bikes loaded up to go to the races in Kenai last weekend. In one swift motion, he accelerates, picks up and hops on his bike, speeds down the driveway and pops a wheelie. When he reaches the middle of the cul-de-sac, Chase skids his back tire 180 degrees to a stop and stands proud, announcing to the world his extreme lack of fear.

Chase doesn’t speak with pointed words, but with two spinning wheels and a throttle.

Chase is only 3, but he races his 50cc Kawasaki dirt bike “Green Demon” for Team Valley Rally in motocross race series events in Anchorage and Kenai. The outstanding talent this young rider has on anything that moves has developed quick and strong, generating national attention.

Riding a dirt bike is nothing new for Chase.

“Since he was born he’s had a motorcycle,” said Chase’s father, Andy Andersen. “I used to run him down to the end of the road here and let him control throttle and steering.”

Since he was born, Chase has been surrounded by family and racing, mostly at the same time. Chase’s older cousins race dirt bikes as well. The Andersen’s property in Sutton has been transformed into a “secret ninja training facility,” a haven for riding.

Part of Chase’s quick learning came from watching his five cousins, ages 8-13.

“He’d go and see one of his cousins fall,” said Andy, a 2002 graduate of Palmer High. “He’d see them get right back up and realize it’s just part of the game.”

Chase spent summers traveling with his family to races and watching, all the time waiting for his turn on the track.

He didn’t have to wait long. Progression to a two-wheeled bicycle happened in a snap. Chase developed strength to keep a dirt bike helmet snug on his head while riding a bicycle. He rode a snowmachine on his own before a dirt bike, learning to steer and control the throttle. The first major test was his first crash.

“He had a few crashes on his snowmachine. He ran into the motor home over there, got right up and kept riding,” his father said. After riding a snowmachine, the move up to a two-wheeled bicycle was the next challenge. Chase used a bicycle called a strider, which doesn’t have pedals. His move up without training wheels was not a typical one.

“He’d run along side it and hop on. His balance was fine, but he couldn’t figure out the pedals,” his father said. “He’d ride it out, trying to figure out what to do with his feet.”

Safety was a large part of Chase’s rise to the races, a part he had little control over.

“I worry he’ll get hurt,” said Chase’s mother, Jessica Andersen. “They don’t make a neck brace small enough for him.

Safety is a main concern, especially for mom. Chase’s neck pad has been custom-fitted to his chest protector to keep his tiny neck stable with a helmet on his head. Her son’s immense talent on a dirt bike has steered him clear of most crashes.

“Most kids don’t realize to stop when someone crashes in front of them. He knows not to run in to them, but he doesn’t want to stop because then someone might pass him,” Jessica said. “So, he just bobs and weaves through five or six kids. He knows how to control the bike.”

Jessica and Andy Andersen supply him with all the safety and riding gear necessary. Chase has already been sponsored, which now funds much of his gear.

This summer, Chase has faced the challenges set before him — and motored straight over them. He has raced Green Demon on the track in Kenai, where he won for the first time. He has conquered the challenging Kincaid track. His next obstacle is to beat his cousins.

Chase has garnered attention for his young talent, nationally and locally. Motocross legend Travis Pastrana sent Chase an autographed poster and some gear. Instead of cartoons, chase watches motocross racing. He loves everything about riding. He never goes anywhere without his bicycle, Andy said. While other kids are playing ball or doing something else in the yard, Chase will be riding his bicycle around, popping wheelies and skidding to a violent stop. Jessica has sent in a video for Chase to be recognized as the youngest motocross racer in history to Guinness World Records.

At the early races in Kenai this season, Chase was by far the youngest rider in his division.

“Some of the parents went, ‘Well shoot, if he’s 3 and he can ride, my 5-year-old can ride,’” Andy said.

With the new crop of younger competitors, the division was split into two races. Chase won the younger division.

“My trophy is this big,” said Chase, reaching to point above his head.

Contact Tim Rockey at 352-2252 or tim.rockey@gmail.com. Follow @trockeynews on Twitter.