Youngster revs up 3rd annual racing benefit
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer
Rocky Cagno saw more than a refreshing beverage two years ago when the Frost Elementary School, East Brunswick, held a lemonade stand fundraiser to support a fellow student who was battling cancer.

Rocky Cagno (center) with Jeff Emig, retired after a career as one of the top AMA motocross and supercross riders of the 1990s.

Then in third grade, Rocky decided he wanted to do more to help children with cancer. In doing so, he turned to his first love - motocross racing. That year, Rocky coordinated an event in Eastampton called "MX Kids Racing for Hope," which raised about $25,000 for the Institute for Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders, New Brunswick.

One year later, he held the same event, but at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, raising more than $30,000 for the same organization, which changed its name to the Embrace Kids Foundation. The nonprofit group provides funding for a variety of services for children and their families while supporting research initiatives.

Rocky, now 10 years old and in fifth grade, is at it again. He will hold the third annual "MX Kids Racing for Hope" onMay 3 at Raceway Park. The motocross event will feature a number of races for dirt bikes and motocross bikes, said Rocky's father, Rocco. The event is open to kids ages 4-16; the races are based on age.

Rocky Cagno, 10, of East Brunswick, is raising money by doing something he loves, motocross racing.

Each racer will pay a $35 entrance fee to be donated to the Embrace Kids Foundation. The racers also collect donations from family and friends.

Racing starts at 10:30 a.m. Admission is $10; free for kids age 12 and under.

Last year's event drew about 60 race participants.

"We'd like to raise about the same as last year," Rocco said. "But you get a lot of worries about the economy."

The races will each consist of four or five laps, and involved a course full of jumps, turns, obstacles and straightaways. All are held outside on a dirt track.

"It's not just about speed," Rocco said. "It's about handling the course. It takes a lot to do what these kids do."

In addition to the races, there will be raffles for bikes, as well as T-shirt sales, said Rocky's mother, Wendy. Although the races are the center of attention, she said that's not all that draws kids.

"It's a fun day for them, and some kids who are not involved in the race come anyway," Wendy said.

The races are held in conjunction with Raceway Park's Youth Day.

And it's also for a great cause, Rocky's parents notes. Embrace Kids helps many children and their families by providing counselors, teachers, financial assistance and research to develop new treatment and a search for a cure for children with cancer and blood disorders.

For more information about the event, visit www.racewaypark.com. To make a donation, contact Rocco Cagno at (732) 266-0306 or e-mail him at rmcagno@comcast. net.