Pint-size Motocross Racer Eyes National Championship

Cameron McInerney has been riding motocross since he was 3 years old and racing since he was 5.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cameron McInerney's third-grade class at Allendale Elementary didn't believe him when he said he won two motocross championships and finished third in the nationals.

Until he brought in trophies that were taller than he is.

The 8-year-old is quickly rising in the ranks of the motocross world and has set his sights on going faster and higher.

Cameron just won two championships for his age bracket in the Metropolitan Sports Committee, based in New York, and in 2010 finished third in his age bracket at the national Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s ranch.

"I was really nervous at nationals when I saw how fast everybody was," Cameron  said of his trip to Lynn's ranch in Tennessee in the summer of 2010. "I didn't think there would be as many riders in my class."

To get invited, Cameron had to first win the New England championship and the Northeastern championship. He then joined 41 of the fastest riders in the country for the race and finished third.

"It was really cool there. There were so many things to do," he said of his trip to Tennessee.

Last year, he again qualified for Loretta Lynn's but the family was unable to make the trip.

While those accomplishments were enough to get national and local sponsorships, it isn't enough for the ambitious third-garder. Cameron wants to win the nationals this year while also preparing for the next level bike class.

He is in his last year of eligibility on a 50 cc dirt bike and is now upping the speed by learning to race a 65 cc.

"I'm not so good with the clutch and shifting yet," Cameron said of the 65 ccs. But they do go faster and hit bigger jumps, which are his favorite parts of riding.

To keep accelerating in the sport, Cameron knows it takes practice and he goes to a private track in Cheshire two to three times a week during the summer with his father and coach, Michael McInerney.

McInerney raced dirt bikes as a child and when his son turned 3, he bought Cameron's first bike. Two years later, Cameron was racing.

Cameron won two classes in the MSC Motocross circuit to bring home trophies taller than he is.

While Cameron is doing the same thing his father did at that age, McInerney says he does get a little nervous seeing the youngster flying through the air. But, he supports his son by taking him to a race every weekend.

He purchased an RV with an attached garage and the two travel hours every weekend to wherever a race is being held.

Supporting motocross racing isn't cheap though.

"It's $110 per week and that's not counting gas or food or if anything breaks," McInerney said, adding that it is worth it because he gets to spend every weekend talking with his son during the long drives and camping out with him. "There are really no local, local races."

Cameron is the only racer in his Allendale School class but he has made friends from other parts of Berkshire County who  race and the families team up to split some of the costs.

McInerney said the sport is "pretty big" in Berkshire County and at some races the multitude of RVs create a "little Berkshires."

"There are three kids in Berkshire County ranked in the top 10," McInerney said. "It is bigger than what it gets credit for."

McInerney said sponsors help defray costs. Three local companies — Northern Foundations, Woodland Excavating and Mickle Electric — bought his son a brand-new and much needed bike last year.

"He rode a 4- to 6-year-old bike. He was the biggest kid on the smallest bike and he was still winning," McInerney said.

And with a brand-new bike, Cameron tore off to win the championships and bring home trophies.

"He always wanted trophies taller than him," McInerney said.

And when Cameron is not racing motocross, he finds some other non-traditional sports to do like BMX riding, snowmobiling and skiing.

Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Friday, June 12, 2026

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.

 

Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.

 

They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

 

College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.

 

She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 

 

"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."

 

Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.