MIDDLESEX TWP — While racing his dirt bike, Hunter Riemer wears a face shield like any other competitor on the track.

He hardly seems to need one.

Riemer, 15, of Middlesex Township rarely gets dust kicked up in his face or fumes from bikes running in front of him — because not many bikes get in front of him.

Riemer has won eight of the 12 races he’s participated in so far this year in the Grand National Cross Country series, a racing series that takes place up and down the east coast. He won the super mini-class 105cc GNCC championship in his age group (12-16) this year.

He has also clinched the overall points title for all youth divisions (ages 9-16) in GNCC.

With one series race remaining — Oct. 31 in the state of Indiana — Riemer will compete in the 200A 125cc division that day. He plans to run that division regularly next season.

“I’m doing this race as preparation for next year,” Riemer said. “These races can last for three hours. My races in the other class were more like an hour and a half.

“I did those races without any water packed with me. I’m definitely going to need water this time.”

All in all, it’s just another step for Riemer, who finished third in points in his division while running the GNCC series last year.

He’s been riding a dirt bike since age 4.

“I did a little racing when I was young,” said Scott Riemer, Hunter’s father. “As a result, my boys became interested in motorcycles when they were young.

“My younger son, Mack, finished fifth in his division (85cc, age 12-13) this season. They are both very into this.”

An excavator by trade, Riemer was able to build a small practice track on the family’s property for the boys to practice on.

“I practice three times a week or so,” Hunter said.

When they’re not practicing, they’re traveling.

The GNCC series begins each February in Florida. The final race of the series is the aforementioned Oct. 31 event.

In between, the series makes stops in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana.

And the Riemer family hits them all.

“We have a trailer we haul the bikes in and go,” Mr. Riemer said. “We’re usually in motels for the weekend events.”

The GNCC series does take a two-month break during the heat of summer — July and August — before resuming Sept. 2.

“The weather usually isn’t too bad on race days,” Hunter said. “It’s the travel that gets you. It’s a lot of time in the car.

“We drove down to Florida for a race, drove back home, then drove to Georgia for the next (GNCC) race a few days later. It’s a little tiring, all of that car time, but once we’re there, we’re ready to go.”

Hunter plays hockey for Mars as well, but makes no mistake about his No. 1 sport.

“I love racing,” he said. “I’d like to race pro eventually. My goal is to compete in the pro-lites within three or four years.

“I don’t want to make a living at it. I just want to be able to race with the best.”

Hockey season has started — but racing season isn’t over.

“I haven’t been at practice for hockey. I’m sure the guys are getting mad at me,” Hunter mused. “But when I get on the ice, I do OK.”

He’s doing more than OK on the race track.

“Hunter used to run the local series, the AWRCS, where you never had to travel more than two hours to get to a race,” his father said. “But he wanted to be challenged more. He’s still that way.

“He certainly hasn’t grown tired of it yet.”