Eight-year-old Hunter Russ started motocross racing at the Natchez BMX track on Palestine Road two years ago.

And while he has already won several races in his first two years, he’s nowhere near through yet.

&uot;I started this in May of 1998,&uot; Russ said. &uot;My cousin, Josh Watts showed me.&uot;

Russ rides the Red Line No. 33 bicycle, which has helped win more than 20 races in his first two years racing at the track.

Russ, who attends Adams County Christian School, has a unique nickname when he’s racing — &uot;Thunder & Lightning,&uot; which he got from the strong and fast style of racing he does.

He also does some stunts while he races. It was in his first year of racing, 1998, when he had his worst injury — a broken hand — while doing one of his stunts.

Russ also said that the kind of racing he the other racers do is not too dangerous, but &uot;a lot of fun.&uot;

Russ said he would like to have more kids racing at the Natchez BMX track.

Russ competed recently at the Volunteer Nationals in Memphis, Tenn., which was a three-day race.

&uot;I did good,&uot; Hunter Russ said. &uot;On Friday I finished in fourth place. Saturday I finished sixth. Sunday I finished seventh.&uot;

As to how long Russ will continue to race, he said, &uot;A bunch of years. About 10 years.&uot;

The first race of the 2000 season will begin sometime in March, but no exact date has been determined.

Russ said he hasn’t really concerned himself with the exact opening day.

&uot;I’m just ready to race and ready to win,&uot; he said.