THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412220125
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
They put in a grueling schedule taking just a handful of weekends off a year, but the rewards are visible all over the Days' living room.
Jeff Day Jr., 15, and his younger brother Dean, 9, have filled their house with countless motocross trophies, including Dean's two state championship trophies, which, at 5 feet, stand several inches taller than Dean.
It all began when Jeff Day Sr., who has been racing since the late '70s, bought his sons bikes and started taking them to races throughout the state.
Dean entered his first race at age 4, and that became the first of many victories.
``When we started it was an every once in a while thing,'' Jeannie Day said. ``Now it is a year-long job for all of us.''
``It just kind of happened,'' Jeff Sr. said. ``Once you start winning you have to travel further to find competition and the better you get, you start getting a name and the competition comes to you.
``But you know you spend six weeks really wanting a weekend off and when you finally get one, we don't know what to do.''
Two weeks ago they traveled to Elizabeth City for a race but turned around and came home because of the bad weather. After several hours in the house, ``We had to go to Coleman's Nursery and get a tree,'' Jeannie said.
``And we went to Mike's Trainland,'' Dean added. ``But we are taking this weekend off.''
But racing isn't just a weekend affair.
After a weekend of races the bikes have to be cleaned up and prepared for the next weekend and then there is training time.
``We just ride the bikes and run and do regular old boy stuff,'' Jeff Jr. said. ``We do practice every weekend we don't race.''
Both Jeff Jr. and Dean have been honored with sportsmanship and dedication awards throughout the years.
``Racing teaches them to be hard workers,'' Jeff Sr. said. ``It teaches them to set and reach goals and good sportsmanship.''
So while their classmates are participating in other sports or goofing off all weekend, do the Days feel like they are missing out?
``Not at all,'' Jeff Jr. said. ``I feel like I have more than most kids do.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Jeff Day Jr., 15, and his younger brother Dean, 9, have filled the
Day home with countless motocross trophies, including two state
championships for Dean.
Dean, above, shows his championship form as he practices on his
bike. ``We do practice every weekend we don't race,'' says Jeff Jr.,
who demonstrates his own winning style below. Both have been
honored with sportsmanship and dedication awards throughout the
years.
by CNB