Bryce Hollinger, 6, to compete in the 2023 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

Benjamin Duer, Canton Repository
·3 min read
Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, will compete at the 2023 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The competition begins July 31 and ends Aug. 5. Hollinger is scheduled to race three times, on Aug. 1, Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 in his age group.
Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, will compete at the 2023 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The competition begins July 31 and ends Aug. 5. Hollinger is scheduled to race three times, on Aug. 1, Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 in his age group.
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MARLBORO TWP. − Bryce Hollinger could be a champion before he starts first grade this fall.

The 6-year-old son of Jamie and Tim Hollinger of Marlboro Township is competing in the 2023 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, next week.

It's a huge event.

Across 36 classes, more than 1,000 racers of all ages, from all over the world, will compete in a series of races from July 31 to Aug. 5. Bryce Hollinger, in the 4- to 6-year-old age group, will race Aug. 1, Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 in the shaft drive limited category. He will be No. 32 in those races.

The contests will stream on YouTube Live and on RacerTV.com.

Racing is in the family's blood

Bryce Hollinger comes from a family of racers, including his 10-year-old brother Landon and several cousins. His late grandfather Harry T. Hollinger used to race motorbikes professionally. His father Tim Hollinger rides casually.

Naturally, mom Jamie Hollinger said her "boys got into it."

Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, is competing in the 2023 Monster Energy AMA National Motocross Championship in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, is competing in the 2023 Monster Energy AMA National Motocross Championship in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Bryce and his older brother train in Deerfield Township. The family − which owns a tree service business − also has a practice track on their property, which mom says "helps a lot." The boys attend Marlington Elementary.

Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, is competing in the 2023 Monster Energy AMA National Motocross Championship in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Here, he holds his qualification ticket.
Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, is competing in the 2023 Monster Energy AMA National Motocross Championship in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Here, he holds his qualification ticket.

"When (Landon and Bryce) are not paying with their miniature toy dirt bikes, they're out here on the (home) track," she said.

The family travels almost every weekend to a competition. The Hollingers also have 12-year-old daughter Reagan, a softball player, who helps out, and 6-month-old son Huxley.

Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, qualified for the national championship in Tennessee by finishing in the Top 6 at the Mid-East Youth Regional Championship at Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan, in early June.
Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township, qualified for the national championship in Tennessee by finishing in the Top 6 at the Mid-East Youth Regional Championship at Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan, in early June.

"It's all of us together," Jamie Hollinger said. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Bryce competed in his first national race in November in Florida. In June, he finished in the Top 6 at the Mid-East Youth Regional Championship at Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan, qualifying for the national championship at Loretta Lynn's Ranch.

"It's not something you get invited to," Jamie Hollinger said. "You have to earn your way."

'School first,' then the pro ranks

Jamie Hollinger spends a lot of time running her sons back and forth to race tracks and practice sessions, hauling their motorbikes in a 30-foot trailer. Between competitions, their father is their mechanic, keeping the bikes in good shape.

"But I said from the beginning, you know, I'll support you no matter what you do. It's kind of like a team and I do my part," Tim Hollinger said.

Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township comes from a family of racers. His brother, Landon, 10, and several cousins also compete in motocross. His late grandfather was a pro racer.
Bryce Hollinger, 6, of Marlboro Township comes from a family of racers. His brother, Landon, 10, and several cousins also compete in motocross. His late grandfather was a pro racer.

Jamie Hollinger added: "Yeah, it's a lot work. But I would not change it. The people that you meet at the track, from all across the United States and the globe, are some of the nicest and neatest people that you'd ever meet."

All of this might lead the boys to the pro ranks some day. They dream of it. But, "school first," their parents said.

In the meantime, Bryce Hollinger might have to settle for champion.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Bryce Hollinger, a Marlington student, to race at Loretta Lynn's Ranch