Riders embrace a family environment at Motokazie
Published 10:03 pm Tuesday, August 8, 2017
- Payton Harrison banks a turn during the 450B/Pro race Tuesday night during the Motokazie races at the Mower County Fair. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
When Izaak Farrell of Austin is out on the Motocross track, he’s not just racing for himself. He’s racing for his family, his love of the sport and his other friends on the track. That couldn’t have been any more apparent than it was during the Motokazie at the Mower County Fair Tuesday night.
When Izaak, who is 14 years old, bumped into his friend Trevin Nelson, a 13-year-old from Saint Charles, during a race, it didn’t blow up into anything big as both riders were able to calm down after the race.
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Izaak Farrell hits a turn during the 85CC 7-11/12-15 race during the Motokazie event Tuesday night at the Mower County Fair. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“There’s a lot of lessons with this sport. You learn good sportsmanship, that’s for sure,” Izaak said. “I accidentally took out my friend Trevin Nelson [tonight] and he was really mad and tried to take me out. But we talked after the race and told each other ‘good job.’”
Izaak, who began racing at seven years old, is an inspiration on the track to his younger brother Bentley, who is five years old and his cousin Brady, who is 11 years old. Brady and Bentley were both in action on Tuesday as well.
“It’s fun. I get to cheer on my brother and cousin and they cheer me on,” Izaak said. “My cousin always talks about me and he wants to get better.”
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Trevor Bakken puts a bit of flare as he crosses the checkered flag in hte 15-29 Open/Vet +30 heat race Tuesday night during the Motokazie event at the Mower County Fair. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
As Izaak had his brother and cousin looking up to him, he was focused on Nate Kohnke, a pro rider from Austin, who was also racing in the Motokazie.
“I look up to Nate,” Isaak said. “He’s turned into a pro rider and remember back when was on 250s and I rode on a 50 over at his house.”
Kohnke has enjoyed watching Izaak improve as he’s gotten older and he embraces the role of mentor to all of the young riders in the Mower County area.
“I try to help out the kids and pass on whatever talent I have to them,” Kohnke said. “It becomes a family. You have your own family behind you and then you have your motocross family. You ask anyone of these people for any help tonight and they’ll be the first ones to try and get you going back on the track.”
Kohnke finished second in the pro race behind Joe Perron of Elko.
“I don’t have one sore feeling with Joe beating me,” Kohnke said. “He’s a good friend of mine and we’ve raced against each other forever. I was glad with how the night turned out.”
As Kohnke continues to compete in the pro circuit, which was his dream growing up, Izaak will continue chasing his dream in motocross.
“I love it. I’ve improved a lot and you’ve got to practice,” Izaak said. “I’m going to be doing this the rest of my life.”
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Oakland’s Nate Kohnke leaves a jump during the 450B/Pro heat a race during the Motokazie event Tuesday night at the Mower County Fair. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com