So it is also for Cliff Griffin and his 11-year-old son Darrin, known as DJ, who started racing SuperMoto at PGP Motorsports Park in October 2010.
But for Cliff and DJ, the definition of family has broadened to include not just each other, but also everyone they’ve met at PGP.
“I’ve competed in wakeboard, BMX bicycle racing, motorcycle track days and sporting events,” said Cliff. “But nothing has ever been so inclusive and friendly as the group of folks at PGP — the staff and the people who race. I’ve never seen that and it’s a big part of why we race there.”
The Griffins — Cliff and his wife of 18 years, Julie; DJ is their only child — live in Renton. Cliff works as a regional fleet manager for Pepsi, Julie is a contracts auditor for Pierce County. DJ will attend sixth grade at McKnight Middle School later this year.
Cliff was born in Eugene, Ore., and moved to this area when he was 4. He began riding motorcycles around the same age as DJ is now, mostly riding trail bikes. His fascination with bikes grew over the years and in the summer of 2010 some friends he rode with talked Cliff into taking part in a track day at Pacific Raceways.
After a summer of riding at PR, Cliff once again took a friend’s suggestion to try something new, this time SuperMoto at PGP. Cliff owned a SuperMoto bike that he rode on the street, so along with DJ he stopped by to check the venue out. They quickly got a taste of the family feeling.
“(PGP owner) Paul Zalud said, ‘You know your son can ride here as well,’” Cliff said. “DJ had a dirt bike and when I told him that, Paul said ‘Don’t worry about it, we’ll take care of it for him to ride.’”
Father and son took part in their first PGP SuperMoto track day in October of 2010 and found the feeling on the track was just as positive as in the paddock.
“We tried SuperMoto out and my kid fell in love with it instantly and I fell in love with it instantly,” said Cliff. “We sold our recreational motorcycles and both of us bought track-dedicated SuperMoto bikes within a month of our first time at PGP.”
Cliff found SuperMoto’s mix of dirt and asphalt surfaces to be less physically demanding than other types of motorcycle racing, but no less fun. He said DJ’s riding skill grew “by leaps and bounds” by taking part in SuperMoto as he could learn the capabilities and limitations of the bike without the demands of riding on a dirt-only track.
“The biggest misnomer about SuperMoto is that because there’s asphalt involved it’s more dangerous or less forgiving,” said Cliff. “Some people think dirt and jumping is safer than pavement and corners, but it’s just the opposite in my opinion.”
Although two-thirds of the family was all-in for SuperMoto, Julie wasn’t convinced. She watched Cliff ride his road-race bike once, and promptly left while he was still hitting triple digits on the speedometer on the track. Cliff convinced her to watch a SuperMoto event at PGP, and Julie found both the racing and the venue more to her liking.
“She’s much more relaxed at PGP. She can see the whole track and she knows we’re not going triple digits out there,” Cliff said. “She knows DJ has the same passion I do and she supports us. She really likes the involvement of the group at PGP and how it’s like family there.”
In addition to riding motorcycles, DJ is an avid basketball player and is preparing to get his brown belt in karate. DJ has participated in karate since he was 6 and hopes to earn a junior black belt in the next couple years. He’s also active in scouting, and hopes to become an Eagle Scout.
“Between scouting, karate, basketball and motorcycles our agenda is pretty full,” Cliff said with a laugh.
Cliff said DJ isn’t sure what the future holds for him yet, but he has plenty of time to figure it out. Earning enough to buy a SuperMoto track or start a clothing line for younger SuperMoto riders have been mentioned.
Although DJ has been riding a dirt bike recreationally for several years, Cliff was initially apprehensive about having his son on PGP’s track with a large group of older and more experienced riders.
But by the halfway point of their first day at PGP, Cliff said his concerns melted away when “I realized everyone in the pits and on the track was going out of their way to keep (DJ) safe on the track and to give him tips and pointers in the pits.”
“I could walk away and know he’s safe and everyone out there has their eye out for him,” Cliff continued. “It’s like he has a whole family of parents when he’s riding there.”
Both Cliff and DJ are looking forward to the national series event in August slated to be the Stars of PGP SuperMoto Series summer finale. DJ will have more competition in his own age group and Cliff hopes the additional attention will convince more regional riders to try SuperMoto at PGP.
Cliff actively promotes SuperMoto and PGP in online motorcycle message boards and forums, and he is often asked if he gets a discount for doing so. Laughing, he said his typical response to such question is an offer to show his receipts to anyone who cares to see that he pays full rate.
“I’m genuinely happy when I’m there, and I’m happy to tell people about it,” said Cliff of PGP. “I’ve never been in an environment that’s that friendly, open, honest and helpful.”
“I just absolutely love it out there.”
On the Web
Visit www.pacificgp.com, become a fan of “PGP Motorsports Park” on Facebook or follow @pacificgp on Twitter.
About PGP Motorsports Park
PGP Motorsports Park is the Northwest’s premier multi-purpose racing facility and is located in close proximity to the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Named “Best Guys Weekend Destination” for 2010 in the KING 5 Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington contest, the track is easy to get to and inexpensive to utilize, making PGP a rare combination of top-level racing excitement and affordability. For more information on PGP events and services, visit www.pacificgp.com or call (253) 639-7223.
PGP Motorsports media contact
Paul Zalud, (206) 390-9858, paul@pacificgp.com
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