Genereux family l to r: Riley, Austin, Raelynn and Bayley.
Five years ago had you asked Austin Genereux if his family would be attending motorcycle races all over the state, he probably would have looked at you like you were crazy.
That is exactly what happened. You see for years now at the Genereux Ranch, Austin, his wife and kids, since they were very little, have been chasing cattle up and down coulees on motorcycles. Might it be added that they have gotten very good at it! It was not long ago that Austin heard about Off Road Motorcycle Races in Montana. Matter of fact he found out there was a whole series of races across the state.
Here is a man who rarely took three days off work a year and yet these races seemed to call to Austin and his family as well. So, they loaded their cycles in a battered old horse trailer and off to Clancy, Winifred, Belfry, Wolf Point. They found out that not only are those races tough, but they could do quite well with them.
The first race they attended, son Riley won it. It was five laps so now Riley had a chance on the B series. Well, he won that one too and now he can race just about anyone he wants to and where he wants to.
Younger son Bailey entered into the 85cc class and he came in fourth in that class.
Austin's wife Raelynn keeps the books and does the worrying about the racers.
After a few wins the words sponsor came up. Riley picked up a few sponsors who would pay fees, give him freebees to wear and he does so with great pride. That is when Austin really started to like the program, as now his kids were learning responsibility, not just racing around the countryside. Riley is sponsored by Team Barbangers out of Hamilton.
The whole family emphasizes it is a sport that you have to really keep your wits together. You need to get ahead of someone spewing dust and dirt on you. To win you must figure a way to get around that racer and that is not easy.
All said, that this racing is not something that you just fall into.
Of interest in our area this year, to put Big Sandy on the map, Genereux's are planning a race in the Coal Mine area. Called the Big Sandy Coal Mine Coulee XC July 15 -16. Austin said that when they tell others that they are from Big Sandy, most people think they must live close to John Tester and that Pearl Jam has something to do with them. This will put Big Sandy on the map in regards to racers from all over Montana and out of Montana as well.
Bayley is looking for sponsors. Austin says to get sponsors is a matter of getting good grades and winning races.
The whole family thinks that 2017 is going to be a very good year for their racing and learning as a family.
Meanwhile, imagine those cattle out in the coulees looking at those fancy moves the Genereux family is making, always working to pass the number two racer and pull into number 1.
Riley is sixteen years of age and Bayley is thirteen and Austin said he can hardly wait until they race here in July.
We can't either!
