Ice racing appeals to young bikers.

Byline: Mary Anne MAGIERA

COLUMN: OUTDOORS

Buoyed by first-place finishes in the practice and qualifying rounds, Mary Morin was homing in on the checkered flag in the main race.

The first Sunday in January was a perfect day for just about any outdoor activity - about 50 degrees and sunny - except, maybe, for the ice race that was unfolding on a pond at Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge.

The sporting club was jammed with fans of the American Motorcycle Association-sanctioned race, believed to be the oldest sanctioned ice race in the country and a winter tradition at the club for more than 25 years. As many as 65 racers - amateurs and professionals - of all ages from throughout the Northeast participate in the races for motorcycles, quads (all-terrain vehicles), pit bikes and motorcycles with side cars. The Sunday races begin at 11 a.m., weather permitting; they are sponsored and promoted by A-1 Parts, Inc. of Brookfield.

Mary had at least a lap on her competition - five young boys - as she headed for the last turn on the softening ice oval. It was over in a second; she hit a puddle in the middle of the course and her quad ended up atop the snow berm banking the oval.

Losing isn't easy at any age, but when you're nine years old it seems like the end of your life. However, Mary's down time was short. Consoled by a bevy of fans and counseled by her parents, Mariane and Glenn Morin, the Sturbridge racer bounced back to take fourth and second place on the next two Sundays, competing in a mixed class with up to nine older racers.

"I like racing; it's fun sliding around," Mary said.

"After you ride and hit something, like bumps, for the first time you learn what you're doing wrong," Mary explained. "You improve your driving and you begin to know how not to make the same mistakes again."

Mary said she had a hard time getting used to the quad on land, but once on ice, "I got used to it; you can go faster on the ice."

Mary, who is also a member of Hamilton, along with her parents, is strictly an ice racer. She began competing at age 6, winning several races on a used quad. This season, she's racing a new bright yellow Eaton 90CC quad; Her racing outfit matches the machine - bright yellow with contrasting black highlights.

Mary chose to race the quad instead of a motorcycle, she said, "because two-wheels freak me out."

The young racer said her strategy is simple: "I want to win the race." Mary already has a sponsor, proudly pointing to her name...