Big Wheels

They were born to be wild. And they were born fairly recently.

Kids you would barely expect to see on bicycles can be found at the L.A. County Raceway in Palmdale, riding motorcycles across a stomach-churning motocross course.

It’s quite a bunch. Among them is 6-year-old Tanner Langham of Saugus, who recently raced in the World Mini Grand Prix for Pee Wees in Las Vegas, finishing fifth overall. Then there’s Cole Seely, 6, of Newbury Park, who is the national champion among 4- to 6-year-olds. He got his first motorcycle, with training wheels, at 2 and ran his first race at 3 while still in diapers.

Tanner Langham chalked up two more wins at a recent event, adding a pair of new first-place trophies to his growing stash. At right, Cole Seely, 6, clears the double jump on the Palmdale track reserved for the Pee Wee division.

Seven-year-old Riley Harper, right, gets a few tips from his dad, Tom. Riley started riding motocross this spring; his dad is a former pro motocross rider who is now a stuntman.