Matt Brunstein, sophomore mechanical engineering major and founder of Sacramento State’s new Hornet Moto Club, said his mom thought he was dead after a crash left him knocked out for several minutes on the side of a race track.

Bruises, cuts, broken bones and concussions are common for the Moto Club.

The club members are all about riding dirt bikes and getting together to have a good time, Brunstein said. Whether it be changing a tire, repairing an engine or mending a broken collarbone, many of these riders dedicate their time and sacrifice their bodies to the sport.

Brunstein said for him, dirt biking is a lifestyle, not just a hobby.

A few club members rode Sunday at the E-Street MX park in Marysville to practice their riding.

“I ate crap yesterday and cracked open my helmet,” said Stenson Womack, senior biology major and president of the club. He had bruises on his head and the helmet cost about $600.

Brunstein said dirt biking is an expensive sport. The riders understand the risk of dirt biking, but enjoy the feeling they get.

“It’s always great to get away and ride. When you’re riding, everything else goes out of your mind,” Womack said.

Brunstein related drinking alcohol to riding dirt bikes because of the toll it takes on your body.

“It’s better than drinking, but you still feel terrible afterwards,” he said.

Spencer Tan, freshman business marketing major and member of the club, suffered a major crash last February while riding at his friend’s house in Martinez. Tan said as he hit an unfamiliar jump, he realized there was about a 25-foot drop. He said he feared for his life as he abandoned his bike in midair. He landed hard, breaking both of his legs in numerous places.

Referring to Tan’s accident, Brunstein said, “That sounds like fun, man.”

There are approximately 20 members in the club, including four women, Brunstein said.

He said he was surprised to have so many women join so early, but expects more to join. He said the club is eager to increase its members and is open to riders of all skill levels, and they are constantly on the lookout for dirt bikers from Sac State. While there are no requirements to join the club, Brunstein said it is advisable to own or have access to a dirt bike.

On Thursday, the Sport Club Fair will be held in the Library Quad. The members of the Hornet Moto Club welcome anyone who is interested to check out their booth.

The club also plans to have fundraisers in the future to increase its members and fund trips. Brunstein said he wants to incorporate dirt biking into the fundraising events.

Official meetings are still to be announced. During meetings, the members will discuss upcoming events, news from races and ways to recruit more people, Womack said.

The group is still in the preliminary stages of becoming an official club, Brunstein said. One issue the Moto Club must resolve is finding a faculty adviser before the Sept. 30 deadline.

“We want someone who is actually interested in the club itself,” Brunstein said.

Brunstein said he wants to make Sac State known for having a strong community of dirt bike riders. In the near future, he wants riders who are entering college in the area to think of Sac State first. He hopes the Hornet Moto Club will help Sac State stand out and become known for having dirt bikers on campus.

Chico State has a larger, more established dirt biking club, Brunstein said. He said he wants to compete with them and form a rivalry. Tan said he was glad he went to Sac State instead of Chico because of the Hornet Moto Club. Brunstein said Chico’s dirt biking club has more than 40 members, and he wants to surpass that and have more than 100 members in the Hornet Moto Club.

Womack is the most experienced rider in the club, and has been riding for 16 years. Sponsors such as No Fear, Spy and Roseville Yamaha support him by providing him equipment and maintaining his bike.

Dirt DNA, one of Womack’s sponsors, will be providing the club with stickers and graphics for their bikes, Brunstein said.

Womack, Brunstein and Tan said they will participate in an extremely competitive qualifying race for the Red Bull Metallicross on Saturday. The qualifying race will be held at the E-Street MX park.

“People are going to be coming from all over the country just for this qualifier,” Brunstein said.

Hundreds of riders are expected to com- pete in the qualifier, and only 10 will be selected to advance to the Red Bull Metallicross event on Oct. 23 in Pala, Calif.

In order to prepare for the race, Brunstein said he must stay disciplined in order to stay in top physical condition. Club members who are not participating will attend the event and support those who are, Brunstein said.

The Red Bull Metallicross event is likely to gain national attention. The legendary Travis Pastrana, winner of multiple X-Games gold medals in several dirt biking events including freestyle motocross, is contributing to the design

of the track. Brunstein said he definitely wants to go watch the event with the club, even if he does not

qualify.

Tzahuiztil Sanchez can be reached at [email protected]