MOST five-year-old boys like digging in sandpits and playing with toy cars. Try
telling that to go-getting youngster Rhyane Ng. He doesn't play with
make-believe machines - he rides real ones.

Rhyane now roars about on a junior motocross bike, a KTM SX50 worth $4,300. Of
course, the youngster isn't riding on the road, but taking part in competitions
called motocross races.

What's more, he's been riding the mean machines since he was 21/2 years old.

The shy boy with the daredevil hobby caught the attention of TV viewers when he
was interviewed on Channel 8 last month.

His proud father, Mr Ray Ng, 37, himself a motorcyclist, tells LifeStyle:
"Unlike other kids who grew up watching Teletubbies, Rhyane grew up watching
motocross races."

However, he is not alone in riding pitbikes at such a tender age.

He's one of 10 kindergarten and primary school children - plus many more older
children and teens - who take part in pitbike races - or motocross racing as it
is also popularly called - organised by the Motoring Safety and Sports Club.

The club was formed by a group of dirt-biking enthusiasts in October 2005, and
it has been holding contests since March this year at the *scape Youth Park
behind Takashimaya.

Each race has about 60 to 70 participants from three age categories: five to
12; 13 to 20; and adults aged 21 and above. Participants can be as young as
five to as old as 50.

The club, which costs $90 a year to join, has 250 members and has held four
such events so far.

The events can draw up to 10,000 spectators, especially with their central
location and wide media coverage by Channel U.

The club says that the races were organised in response to increased demand by
"more and more bikers".

In fact, pitbike racing is proving so popular that the club is thinking of
taking it to the heartlands such as Tampines, Jurong and Toa Payoh.

There are also plans to hold races at a new location, the soon-to-be opened
Tuas Motocross Track.

Pitbike races feature pitbikes, or "scramblers" as some are called, that are
smaller than a normal-sized motorbike.

A pitbike is basically a downsized motorbike with smaller wheels of 12 to 14
inches in diameter compared to the usual 18 to 21 inches, and has a smaller
engine capacity of about 110cc, compared to the normal 125cc to 500cc.

The geometry of the bike is also designed for racers to navigate tight corners
on the track, with a better brake system and improved suspension system.

Their size varies for adults and children, and driving licences are not
required for them.

These miniature bikes can cost anything from a few hundred dollars to $5,000
and run on petrol. However, they cannot be used on public roads.

The Motoring Safety and Sports Club is the only one in Singapore providing
training to ride them.

While more nervous parents might wonder how safe it is for junior to jaunt
about like a Hell's Angel, the club stresses that safety is paramount.

It is compulsory for its riders to wear full protective gear consisting of knee
guards, boots, helmet, goggles and gloves.

The club - which has a zero fatality rate for its races - also gives the
assurance that its events follow international standard racing codes, and
points out that there are safety barricades put up. Tyre walls are erected
around objects like trees.

Ten safety marshalls are present at every race to give flag signals, and there
is an ambulance present.

Club president Ong Kim Hua, 41, says only club members can take part in the
races.

Children can participate after six to nine months of training once a week or
twice a month, while adults who have a motorcycle licence are more likely to
master riding a pitbike faster and so are able to take their place on the
starting line after a month or so.

To organise the events, the club needs an entertainment permit from the police
and permission from land-owners.

Rhyane's mother, Ms May Goh, 36, expresses full confidence in the safety aspect
of the races and the bikes.

She says: "My husband is a biker, too, so I do encourage my son to do it as
well. And I know it's safe because Rhyane is fully geared, and I'm not at all
worried."