Father Rob and sons, Brad, 14, and Will, 11, compete with three motorcycle clubs in the Hunter Valley.

Rob has been riding motorbikes for as long as he can remember, but sold his main bike to go overseas in 2000.

Both boys have been riding around the farm before they started school and started competing four years ago.

“I just couldn’t stand being on the sidelines and watching them ride – I had to be involved,” Rob said.

“So last year I got back into competition riding and we all compete with Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Maitland clubs.”

Rob was named Maitland District Motorcycle Club senior club champion for 2009.

He was also first in the over 35s, second in the open and senior hole shot champion (first to the first corner – a feat achieved 15 times) at Maitland.

With the Cessnock club he was second in the A-grade over 35s, first in the B-grade open and hole shot champion there too.

Eldest son Brad competes in the 12-16 years 85cc class, but a broken wrist seven weeks ago put a dampener on his finishing line chances.

“I was helping to set up for the Dungog enduro when I had a buster off my bike, so I missed a lot of events at the end,” he said.

“But I am still pretty happy with my results.”

Brad was first in B-grade with Lake Macquarie, second in A-grade at Maitland after missing the last two rounds and third in B-grade at Cessnock.

And the youngest rider in the family, Will, won a participation trophy at Maitland after switching from a 65cc to an 85cc bike halfway through the season.

“My bike was too small so I had to step up to a bigger one,” he said.

The family is on the road competing three out of four weekends in the motocross season which runs from March to November.

“We have financial sponsorship from Sharpes Tractors at Rutherford and without their support we couldn’t do as much,” Rob said.

“Brad wants to step up to State events next year, but Will and I will just continue with local events.”