FLYIN' RYAN
Local motocross standout qualifies for national finals
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

Ryan Fesler, 8, of Lampasas, will compete in the 51cc class at the national finals in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. PHOTO BY JEREMY HEATH

Some of Ryan Fesler's first memories are of his dad, Randy, holding him and cruising around their property on his dirt bike.

Now, 8-year-old Ryan is making his own memories atop a bike. The biggest difference between his early memories and the recent ones is that Ryan doesn't need his dad to hold him any more.

He's doing just fine by himself.

So well, in fact, that Ryan recently earned the opportunity to ride for a national title. On July 28, the Lampasas County resident will compete in the 51cc Class at Loretta Lynn's Air Nautique Amateur National Motocross Championships in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Ryan, who will be in the third grade at Hanna Springs Intermediate School this fall, finished fifth at the South Central Regional at Freestone MX in Wortham on June 14 to qualify. It's the second time in three years he has earned a trip to Hurricane Mills.

It will also be his last opportunity to qualify in the 51cc Class. Next year, Ryan will move up a class to ride the 65cc bikes, and he'll have to ride against 10- and 11-year-olds.

The thought of the move up doesn't scare Ryan at all. When asked if he'd rather compete in the 51cc class - where he has the strength to control the bike in every situation - or in the 65cc class - where the bike has enough power to control him if he lets his focus drift even for a second - his answer is clear.

"I like the 65," he said. Ryan's mom, Stacie, is more comfortable with her son on his 51cc Cobra, but she's ready to embrace his advance to a new classification despite the knee injury Ryan sustained on a 65cc bike a little more than two months ago that forced him to cut down on his training leading up to the regional event.

"There's always a fear of him getting hurt," she acknowledged. "But I have confidence in Ryan. You worry about the other riders, but Ryan is strong, and he's a smart, safe racer who negotiates the track well, picks good lines and gets out fast to stay in front."

Before the regional in Wortham, Stacie asked Ryan if his knee had recovered well enough to compete. He was still limping on it a bit.

"He told me, 'Mom, I can't walk, but I can ride,' " she said.

While the Feslers' biggest worry remains the safety of their son, the recent surge in gas prices has led to another concern. Ryan's success on the circuit, however, has helped remedy their financial worries to a certain degree. Devlyn Construction, Killeen Power Sports, the Lampasas Auto Zone and Subway of Central Texas all have provided sponsorship of the cause.

"It's absolutely hard (to travel to events)," Mrs. Fesler said. "He qualified for another national in Ponca City (Okla.). Most years, everyone goes up there, packs up and heads straight to Tennessee after it's over. We're trying to decide if that's something we can afford to do this year."

Chances are they'll find a way to get Ryan to both events. The Feslers understand events such as these are the foundation for Ryan's ultimate dreams.

"People are going to call me 'Flyin' Ryan,' " the 8-year-old said. "I want to do this for the rest of my life."