Battle Ground first-grader competes for national off-road racing title

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — "Faster than a penguin in a swimming pool."

That's how fast Cash Knecht, a Battle Ground Elementary first-grader, says he can drive his dirt bike and all-terrain vehicle in competition. His response tickled his family so much, penguins are now part of his racing graphics.

The 6-year-old seasoned racer — he's been competing on dirt bikes and ATVs since he was 3 — will compete Saturday in the 13th and final stop in the Grand National Cross Country Series, National ATV and Dirt Bike Race Ironman. Saturday's race will be held at 1389 West Montgomery County Road 200 South near Crawfordsville.

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'Hometown Hero' is nationally ranked

Cash, elected by the Grand National Cross Country Series as the Hometown Hero for the weekend, will compete in the 8:30 a.m. event, Micro Bikes Jr. 2. Then he turns around and races at 9:15 a.m. in the Micro Quads Jr. class.

Currently ranked first nationally in the Micro Quad Jr. category and fourth Micro Bike Jr. 2, Cash has raced rounds in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, accumulating enough points to contend for a national title.

He's determined to do his best.

“I’m going to give it my all," Cash told the Journal & Courier. "Thank you to everyone that supports me. Ride hard, ride faster than a penguin in a swimming pool, and send it all the way to the checker!”

His brothers, Cason and Camden, will also be racing, according to event information. Cason races Micro Quad in the MXC2 row and Micro Bike in the Sr. row. Camden competes in Youth Quad in the 125th row.

More than 1,500 racers are expected to compete in Crawfordsville — four-wheeled ATV racing on Saturday and dirt bikes on Sunday. Riders as young as 4 and older than 60 are represented, and competitors come from all over the world, including England, Europe and Australia.

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“The unique thing about (Grand National Cross Country Series) Racing is that an average racer gets to race alongside some of the top racers from across the world” said GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell, in a release. “Even with all of this talent, local racers always seem to have an advantage because the course is so similar to the terrain they’re used to riding.”

Spectator passes are $25 for adults; $10 for kids (6-11); and ages 5 and under are free for the full weekend.

Gate admission includes pro pit access.

According to GNCC Series, the economic impact for a community hosting such an event is estimated to be more than $1.3 million dollars.

Each round of the Grand National Cross Country Series is streamed live on RacerTV.com. For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette first-grader competes for off-road national title