Danger, injury and death are accepted as part of motocross sport, even for children

 HURRICANE MILLS, TN — Forty-two teenage boys with helmets and colorful uniforms pushed their dirt bikes to the starting line.

They were among about 1,000 riders, who must be at least 4 years old to race. The site is Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, about 70 miles west of Nashville and home to the most prestigious event in amateur motocross — the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

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On the opening day of racing for the 44-year-old annual event held July 28-Aug. 2 event, the teens revved the engines of 250cc motorcycles built to soar off jumps and tear around the 1.1-mile dirt track. It’s regarded among the safer tracks in amateur motocross despite three riders having died since 2008 from injuries suffered while racing.

The field was full again this year, organizers said, as were 42 gates with riders baking under the sun before the first 250 B race of the week.

Organizers resisted calls to leave one gate empty in honor of Aidan Zingg, a 16-year-old rising star who died June 28 during a mid-race crash in Mammoth Lakes, California. Zingg won the Supermini 2 national championship last year and would have graduated to 250 B this year.