FERNLEY - High winds and safety concerns, led to the cancellation of Sunday's motocross race. With outhouses toppled and riders facing the prospect of being blown off the course, Sierra MX officials decided not to continue.

Although most left, about 20 riders stayed at the track and made use of the day as a long practice session. One of them was 21-year-old Reno racer Chris Manzini.

Now second in the 250/450 Intermediate class, Manzini explained he's following in the tracks of his uncle.

"I got interested watching my uncle Larry Wright. Growing up, he was one of my big idols and that's all he ever did was ride," he said.

Manzini began to ride a motorcycle when he was 8 years old and competed in his first race around age 10. It was a great debut for the young rider.

"I went out my first race and I won," he said. "I loved it, it's the best feeling in the world. My dad told me to go out and do the best you can and if I did all right he was going to get me a new bike for the next race.

"So I went out there, put everything I had into it and won."

And his father then went out and bought Manzini a new motorcycle. That was interesting as his father wasn't exactly for his son racing.

"My dad Andy never rode and was kind of against it," he said.

However, Manzini's mother Tina was in his corner.

"My mom, well what she says goes, and she was definitely a motocross fan," he said.

While he was growing up Manzini had another passion - basketball. He started around the sixth grade and played point guard for both Wooster and Damonte Ranch High School, where he graduated.

Unlike many youngsters, Manzini began not on a single-gear 50cc bike but a 65cc. The difference is that a 65cc rider has to shift gears as they tear around the track.

During this time Manzini explained that a lot of his school friends, who were riding bicycles, seemed a bit jealous that he was racing a motorcycle.

"A lot of my friends would ask if they could ride my bike," he said with a laugh.

After the 65 classes, riders then step up to the 85cc bikes but both classes are similar in size of bike with the big difference being power. However, going from a small-frame 85cc machine to a full-sized 125 bike is a much bigger step.

"It was a big change, just weight was the main thing," he said. "The power wasn't too big a difference as I've always had fast 80's but the weight was a big deal. It wore me out after a while."

That's when Manzini stepped up his conditioning. He ran and his uncle had him using elastic rubber bands for arm-strength, as the aim wasn't bulk but power and endurance.

Currently he runs, lifts small weights and rides as much as possible. Being an unloader at the UPS warehouse doesn't hurt as he's always handling freight in his job.

"But nothing is better training than riding," he said. "I live in Red Rock so there are trails straight out my door."

Many times riders that move into the big bike ranks are younger and smaller. They usually need blocks to put their feet on, to help them stay upright, as they wait at the starting gate.

This wasn't a problem for Manzini has he was 15 years old when he stepped up to the big bikes.

From the 125 class he moved to a 250F, a 4-stroke, to his current 450 bike, which is also a 4-Stroke.

Asked about the difference between a 2-stroke to a 4-stroke he said, "Engine braking is the main thing I noticed. You let off the throttle and it just shuts you down. Torque, power to the ground is way different as it grabs better."

The result is that a rider learns quickly about throttle control. It's just not, "pin it and go", but a rider has to be smart about where to add power.

"Now I race in the 250/450 Intermediate class and have enough points to go pro," he said. "So I'm just kind of waiting."

Manzini allowed that once he goes pro he'd continue racing at local events. He also plans on trying some AMA outdoor events as well as the CMC series and California as well as the Nevada GFI races.

"I just really want to say I'm a pro as that's what I've wanted to do my whole life," he said. "Once I'm there I'll probably just try to get faster."

Like any rider, Manzini has some very appreciated support. He listed Hawthorn Motocross Association, Sierra Motocross Association and Nevada Motorsports Specialties (NMS).

His uncle and parents come to the races and are his family rooting section.

Sunday's outcome was a bit unexpected.

"I hate that it happens as I've never had a race cancelled because of wind," he said. "It sucks that it happened like that but it's better for the safety reason."

However, he did stay and was practicing with his friends but altered his technique due to the wind.

"I try to stay low," he said. "What I do when I come off the lip of the jump, I just turn my handlebars and it keeps me low. And I usually do it into the wind."

The idea is to create enough drag to while he might get some air it won't be big air. A rider going high risks being blown off the jump and that can have unforeseen and maybe painful results.

After his practice session, Manzini put his KTM SX450 back on his hauler and headed home. He and the other racers are hoping for better weather for their next race.

And he is looking forward to being finally listed as a pro rider. It will be a dream come true for this Reno rider.

OTHER RACING NEWS

•The biggest race in this area will be the Loretta Lynn Qualifier at the Honey Lake Motocross Park, located south of Susanville. Two days of racing as riders from across the west try and earn their place in the classic Loretta Lynn event this summer.

•Closer to home and weather permitting, the Lovelock Speedway opens the oval track season with its first race. Racing begins at 1 p.m. as this bullring begins its sophomore season.

•Three of NASCAR's Nevada Quartet were at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Kurt Busch started Sunday's Sprint Cup event second and finished 18th, while his brother Kyle took the green fourth but was 24th and a lap down at the checkered.

Saturday's Camping World Truck race was rained out. So today, starting at 9 a.m. on Speed TV, both Kurt Busch and T.J. Bell will take to the track.