BUTLER TWP — Aiden Birckbichler’s victory at the Allegheny Cup culminated his motocross racing season.

But it didn’t end it.

Nothing does.

Birckbichler, 9, of Butler won the 50cc age 7-8 Class 2 Allegheny Cup championship recently at Rocket Raceway in Three Spring. The track is located in the Allegheny Mountains.

“There were a lot of hills, a lot of up and down riding,” Aiden said. “You had to be able to do your jumps.”

Birckbichler executed all of those just fine, thank you, finishing third in his first moto and first in his second moto. Each moto lasted approximately 19 minutes and there were 16 riders in Birckbichler’s division.

The winner is determined by the combined finish in both motos.

Birckbichler qualified in the age 7-8 division because he did not turn 9 until May. Age division eligibility is based on the rider’s age as of Jan. 1.

“The Allegheny Cup is a prestigious event,” said John Birckbichler, Aiden’s father. “Top riders come from far away to compete. There were kids there from New York, Virginia and North Carolina.”

Birckbichler’s victory landed him on the cover of Motorcycle Racing Magazine.

“That was pretty cool,” he said.

His racing has been pretty hot.

Birckbichler has been racing virtually every weekend since March, participating in motocross events in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia. He’s competed in well over 40 races this year and has been on the podium (top three finishers) in most of them.

He qualified for the Loretta Lynn Nationals in Tennessee over the summer and finished 31st out of 42 riders in his class.

“There was a problem with his bike during the practice run and you only get one practice opportunity down there, so he missed that,” Aiden’s father said. “That wound up hurting him in the competition.”

Birckbichler has won so many trophies and plaques that “most of them are boxed up and in the attic,” his father said. “The more prominent trophies are bigger than he is.”

The Allegheny Cup marked Birckbichler’s final competition in the 50cc division. He’s moving up to a 65cc bike and has already been riding an 85cc.

“We already sold the 50cc bikes,” Aiden said.

Motocross races are available through Thanksgiving. When those come to an end, Birckbichler will ride in indoor facilities located in Andover and Cleveland, Ohio, to stay sharp.

Switchback Raceway in Butler has added an indoor racing facility as well.

“The season is year-round now. It never ends,” Mr. Birckbichler said.

And his son never grows tired of it.

Aiden has a black belt in taekwondo and plays flag football. He is a fourth-grader at Northwest Elementary and is going to try roller hockey this year.

But he leaves little doubt as to what his No. 1 sport is.

“I want to get back to Loretta Lynns and do better next time,” Aiden said. “The 65cc bike is bigger and faster. But I’m getting used to it.”

He also competed in the 65cc class at the Allegheny Cup and placed fifth overall.

“We’re proud of him,” his father said.”Aiden really works at it. He practices twice a week and always wants to get better. He’s focused and driven by this and we’re excited for him.”