Jimmy Lamastus, right, has been a motocross racer since he was 5. He is now getting his kids, Carson, 6, and Holden, 4, involved in racing as he gets out. 2007 SR file photo 

COEUR d'ALENE - Behind all that noise, jockeying for position and dirt stirring up at motocross racing at the North Idaho Fair is something that warms the soul.

Family bonding time is a theme at the races.

Promoter Chaun McAlister, in his 14th year of organizing the arenacross races at the fair, has plenty of family support.

His brother, Bart, is the announcer, his father, Mike, owns Motion Sports motorcycle shop in Coeur d'Alene and his mother, Jannice, helped promote the event before she died. His three daughters are also heavily involved as Aleece races and Celina and Klaire both work in the pit.

"It's a huge family-oriented sport," said McAlister while preparing for Thursday night's racing. "It's not just 17-year-olds showing up with a dirt bike in a pickup."

The age span between the racers lends itself toward entire families being involved. Some are as young as 4, including McAlister's nephew Branson, and McAlister recalls one from a previous year being 68. More here. Brian Walker, Cda Press

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