Bristol “The Pistol” Emerson sits on his racing bike after practicing on a track built in his back yard. (The Vicksburg Post/Melanie Duncan)

[09/10/02]The image associated with BMX bicycle racing is often tied to that of the X-Games chaotic races with fearless riders.

It’s not often that the image of a BMX racer is associated with a rider that has a blue Kool-Aid mustache, whose biker gear fits him like a Power Ranger suit and who describes his wrecks with sound effects as he plays with one of his many trophies.

Meet 6-year-old Bristol “The Pistol” Emerson, Mississippi’s state champion BMX racer.

“They actually start at three, if you can ride without training wheels, and ride all the way up until they’re 50,” said Jennie Emerson, Bristol’s mother. “Bristol started in March, and he’s been going heavy every weekend since.”

In his short career, The Pistol has been to two national races and won the state championship at the Clinton Optimus BMX Track. The victory assured him a spot in the Race of Champions in Tulsa, Okla.

“There are a lot of people that don’t know about bike racing and there are not a whole lot of bike racers,” said Kevin Emerson, Bristol’s father. “There’s one track in Clinton, but more kids and parents are getting involved.”

The Pistol got involved when his mother discovered the sport through a friend in Louisiana, whose kids had rooms full of BMX racing trophies. Jennie was intrigued and The Pistol was a natural.

“The first time he raced I was so nervous because I was afraid he was going to get hurt. I think there is so much encouragement from the parents and audience that I don’t get nervous anymore,” Jennie said. “I get nervous if he starts losing.”

The sport has taken The Pistol from Atlanta to Dallas, and from Clinton to Tulsa. He is currently in a novice division, but is racing for higher prestige within the intermediate and expert divisions.

“I have to win six times to get …,” Bristol said, his forehead wrinkled with concentration.

“Intermediate,” Jennie said, smiling.

“Yeah,” The Pistol said, more willing to race in a dust storm of spokes and wheels rather than tackle the word.

Which brings to attention the one aspect of the sport that always intrigues fans the wrecks.

“He has had a few wrecks. The handlebar went through his helmet one time and bashed his eye, and he had a black eye,” Jennie said. “I don’t like it, but I know it’s just a part of it. He’s decked out pretty protective, but it was just a coincidence that it should go through his helmet.”

The Pistol has also hurt his wrist to the point where they thought it was broken, bared witness to an 11-year-old girl break her neck and seen other wrecks in which the ambulance has been called to remove the rider from the track on a stretcher.

“It’s fun,” The Pistol said. “I like it, I like it, I like it.”

His enjoyment of the sport is obvious from his success. Out of a 1,000 racers and four heats, The Pistol won the state championship in Clinton, qualifying for the championship race in Tulsa.

“I want to go, yeah I do. It’s fun, and when I win I get stamps,” The Pistol said. “I can buy stuff free with stamps. Like new tires, new handlebars, new frame and stuff.

“I like to save ’em up and go riding and buy me a lot of stuff.”

But as much as The Pistol likes to ride, the sport can be an expensive venture for those interested in getting involved.

The Emersons were fortunate to find used gear, and were able to get involved for around $500. Otherwise, the cost can reach into the thousands, and that’s not including travel.

“I think that we’ll enjoy it more than football because there is always somewhere to go. From spring to December, there’s always a race to go to,” Kevin Emerson said. “It’s an ongoing sport and every weekend is like a mini vacation.”

But unlike football parents, the Emersons always seem to be defending their son’s sport.

“A lot of people have criticized us because they ask the very first thing, Aren’t you afraid he’s going to get hurt?’ We are, but we can’t let it stop us. Anything can hurt a kid. We have one in gymnastics that got more hurt than Bristol ever has,” Jennie Emerson said. “Any sport is dangerous.

“Friends and relatives have criticized us saying we started him too young, he won’t be interested in years to come. And maybe he won’t, but let him shine while he can.”