ORANGEVILLE SUPERCROSS RIDERS RACE AT THE ROGERS CENTRE: Rachael Piercy and Tyler Wilken , from Orangeville, pose for a picture at the Rogers Centre, where they were racing in the Toronto World Supercross Challenge. Contributed Photo Orangeville was represented well last weekend in the Toronto World Supercross Challenge at the Rogers Centre.

Two Orangeville youths, Tyler Wilken and Rachael Piercy, both age 7, raced their way over mounds of dirt at the indoor bike race, under the dome, on Saturday in front of a crowd of approximately 50,000.

The two young riders, in their first year of competitive racing after learning to ride since age 4, were invited to attend the event that featured racers from the junior level to the professionals.

“It really was a thrill for the kids,” says Tyler’s mum Lynn Wilken.

The supercross challenge at the Rogers Centre is an event organized by the Canadian Motosport Racing Club (CMRC). The club is a membership driven organization that promotes the sport from the youngest riders to professionals.

During the race, both riders rode very well, although Tyler did have a spill that only hurt his place in finishing, both riders didn’t finish in the top three, but that didn’t diminish the excitement of being there.

“They were included in the autograph signing, along side the professionals,” says Ms. Wilken. “It was a really big deal for them.”

The kids did not walk away empty handed – they were given full riding gear by KTM, that they will put to good use next summer when the racing season starts up again.

The day at the Rogers Centre was a great finale to a good first season of racing.

In the regular season, Rachael earned top spot in the province and third in the nationals.

Tyler placed sixth at the provincial level and fourth at the nationals.

“It was a very long day,” says Ms. Wilkin. “But a great way to finish the year off…the kids will remember this for a long time.”