The 'Phenom' from Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — As the scents of exhaust and dirt hang heavy in the air, butterflies start to creep into the pit of Kurrick Gettings stomach.

To his right, a rider in his 20s looks out over the first turn in the track. To his left, a rider in his mid-30s does a last-minute check on his all terrrain vehicle (ATV).

Gettings' goal as the starting gate drops, is to get out in front and keep distance between himself and the second-place rider. That's one thing the 12-year-old motocross racer is achieving despite competing against adults in the amateur division.

"I'm going into my fourth year of racing," Gettings said.

He stands in his recently cleaned bedroom. The walls are adorned with more than 80 trophies he won during his first two racing seasons in ironman, supercross and motocross events.

A testament that he is someone to be taken seriously regardless of his age.

Last year he opted not to receive trophies, and each win earned him points toward his next event's entrance fees.

"When I watch him ride, it's unreal that it's him," Gettings' father James exclaims. "I can't believe he's the same kid that can't clean his room, and can't even walk from here to there without tripping and falling. He's either super skilled or the luckiest kid in the world."

Most believe he's "super skilled."

At 8 years old Gettings won his first event called an ironman. The race was a three-hour event over natural terrain, and considered to be very strenuous.

Many of the contestants were shocked Gettings would be racing, and voiced their concerns of how he would be a hazard or a liability. Much to their dismay he took home the trophy, and has since been nicknamed the "Phenom" from Moses Lake.

"Kurrick has a distinctive advantage," Gettings father adds. "He can jump farther than anyone else because his machine in built for someone that is 250 pounds, and he is around 80 pounds. So he has a machine that forgives a great amount."

Currently Gettings rides a modified Yamaha YFZ450 all terrain vehicle. Standard quad parts have been replaced by a hydraulic clutch, low rise and narrowed handle bars with dual steering stabilizers on a custom length steering stem.

"The motor is pretty much the only thing that's stock." Gettings said.

Other modifications needed for the small rider included closer foot pegs, cut down seat foam and heel guards.

All quad modifications have been done by Gettings and his father.

"Kurrick turns a lot of wrenches," Gettings' mother April proudly announced.

Gettings started small. At the age of 3, he was introduced to dirt bikes and by eight was riding ATVs.

"You have to understand that his story begins with lazy parents," laughs Gettings' father. "We liked going trail riding in the mountains and we got tired of picking him up every 50 feet when he fell off his dirt bike. So we got him a quad."

Gettings' mother recalled the first time he rode an ATV. He seemed to be a natural.

"It was like he was born on one," she said shaking her head smiling.

The adrenaline of clearing an 80-foot jump is one reason Gettings races.

"It's just really fun to do," he says with a small smile.

His race schedule will preoccupy the majority of his weekends from now until November. On his off weekends he can be found at a friend's track practicing for his next big race.

"Our schedule is up to Kurrick. If he doesn't want to race, we don't race," said Gettings' mother.

When Gettings turns 16 he plans on going pro. He's especially excited to compete in his two favorite events motocross and supercross.

The reason these events are his favorite is simple.

"The trophies are bigger," Gettings said as his eyes lit up. "And because you get to bump and grind a lot."

"He says he likes the adrenaline," Gettings' father quickly responds. "No. He likes signing autographs, because all the kids come around and say how great he is."

A slow red blush creeps into Gettings' cheeks, but no denial is offered up. After all he is the "Phenom" from Moses Lake.