BMX race, open to the public, will benefit ALS research

Lindsay Seino's senior project came naturally.

The Santa Susana High School senior incorporated her family's passion for BMX racing with helping find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Her uncle, Wayne Johnson, died from ALS.

With help from Sycamore BMX Raceway in Simi Valley and her family's Team Inseino Racing club, Lindsay, 17, spearheaded the BMX 4 ALS bike race on Sun., Dec. 14 for her senior project.

Johnson, who died in August 2006 at age 39, enjoyed riding at the Sycamore track.

ALS is an illness that afflicts the nervous system, and it leads to paralysis, speech loss and eventually the inability to swallow and breathe. There is no cause, cure or effective treatment of the disease.

BMX 4 ALS coincides with the track's season-ending double points race on Dec. 14.

Sign-ups are from 10 a.m. to noon on race day, and races are expected to start at 1 p.m. The race is $20 for American Bicycling Association (ABA) members while non-ABA members are asked to make a $10 donation.

Proceeds from the race, silent auction and raffle will go to the ALS Association Greater Los Angeles Chapter.

Blake Carney, 17, rides for Team Inseino, and he's bringing as many friends as he can to the ALS fundraiser.

"I think it's a really good idea. It's a really big deal to Lindsay and it means a lot," said Carney, a senior at Camarillo High who ranks fourth nationally in the 17-20 BMX cruiser age group. "I don't do too many local races, unless it's for a good cause."

Track operator Joan Nigro was happy to work with Lindsay. Nigro hopes more than 100 riders will participate.

"Anybody can come and race," Nigro said.

Even if people don't race, the Seino family is encouraging the public to attend and support a good cause.

"I'm looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of people making it out," said Lindsay, who would like to attend Cal State University Channel Islands and become a nurse. "I don't have a set goal for how much I want to raise—but I'd like to raise as much as possible. … I think I could help out a little bit."

Racers are required to provide their own bike and helmet, and dress in a long sleeved shirt and long pants.

For more information or to sign up, call (805) 583-BMX7.

Donations for ALS research can be made at the track on race day, at www.teaminseino.com or through the local ALS chapter website at www.alsala.org.