Mud was spraying and dirt was flying Tuesday night at the Allen County Fair as about 60 motorcycle racers showed they have what it takes to make quick turns and high jumps.

Matt Oliver of Fort Wayne was in his pads and uniform, ready to ride his No. 83 Suzuki in the C Class race, when he predicted he would finish in the top five. He placed second.

“I just like the adrenaline that comes with racing,” said Oliver, who has been racing more than 10 years and learned by riding around his farm.

Several different classes of riders compete based on age and skill level. Even young girls are riding.

“It feels nice when you are jumping, and it's nice riding with other people,” said Autym Keller, 8, of Fort Wayne, who finished second among 4- to 8-year-olds and has been riding since she was 4.

“I started riding with training wheels,” she said. “Some of the girls I hang out with think it's scary.” So does her mother, Kara.

“I used to ride dirt bikes, so I know what can happen,” she said.

Some bikes can stall out midair or a rider can land the wrong way, but that doesn't stop true lovers of the sport.

Matt Schneider, 18, of Fort Wayne, has been riding for five years and has already broken seven bones. He is ranked in the top 40 in the nation in the 4-stroke class and is going to nationals this weekend in Nashville.

“This sport gets very expensive, but I get everything if I win,” he said. By everything, he means more sponsors and recognition.

“I train and work out,” he said. “I've spent years learning how to make it.”

Autym works hard at what she does, too, but competing in more than 20 races in two years doesn't make her any less of a girl.

“I've won a lot, and I'm not a tomboy” she said. “And I still dress up, but only when I have to!”

♦Open A class

1. Matt Schneider of Fort Wayne

2. Jud Rouch of Columbia City

3. Dustin Pulley of Columbia City

♦Age 30+

1. Jack James of Harlem

2. Tom Dame of Huntertown

♦Pit Bike

1. Adam Smith of Waterloo

2. Matt Schneider of Fort Wayne

3. Greg Untemahrer of Shipshewana

♦85 bike, ages 7-11

1. Donald Nix of Mooresville

2. Conner Dame of Huntertown

3. Madison Johnson of Anderson

♦+25 A class

1. Michael Heingartner of Waterloo

2. Connie Feist of Columbia City

3. Tad Davis of New Haven

♦125 C class

1. Jordan Slaughter of Mitchell

2. Matt Oliver of Fort Wayne

3. Mike Tippman of Fort Wayne

♦60 Open

1. Austin Griffis of Fort Wayne

2. Cody Fry of Fort Wayne

3. Dominick Reynolds of Fort Wayne

♦250 A class

1. Dustin Pulley of Columbia City

2. Mitchell Heingartner of Waterloo

3. Matt Schneider of Fort Wayne

♦Ages 4-8

1. Dylan Connett of Fort Wayne

2. Andrew Eytcheson of Ligonier

3. Aidan Griffis of LaOtto

♦Ages 4-6

1. Seth Johnson of Kendallville

♦ Ages 7-8

1. Autym Keller of Fort Wayne

♦Women

1. Andrea Denney of Huntington

2. Madison Johnson of Anderson

3. Cassidy Butlee of Huntington

♦65 bike, ages 7-9

1. Cody Fry of Fort Wayne

2. Vinnie Connett of Fort Wayne

♦80 open

1. Alix Edsall of Churubusco

2. Aaron Payonk of Fort Wayne

3. Brandon Schneider of Fort Wayne

♦250 C class

1. Joey Tippman of Fort Wayne

2. Bryce Land of Leo

3. Jordon Slaughter of Mitchell

♦250 B class

1. Zachary Maley of LaOtto

2. Jud Rouch of Columbia City

3. Ryan Harris of Craigville