Hunter Nalley is only 3 years old, but he is already making a name for himself in BMX bike racing.

At a recent race in Burlington, he beat a 4-year-old, his father, Hank Nalley said.

"Hunter could not have cared less but Mom and Dad were tickled to death," Nalley said.

Nalley, and Allen Smith, who are both 38 and live in North Raleigh, took over the Capital City BMX Track in January and have scheduled races and other events through early December.

The track is located near Lion's Park off of Capital Boulevard.

Nalley and Smith got into Bicycle Motocross racing 30 years ago when the sport started. Originating in California as a bicycle version of off-road motorcycle racing, BMX racers compete on tracks full of jumps, banked turns and sharp curves.

Nalley reckons125 kids and adults participate in the Capital City BMX program.

"People come from all over to race with us," Nalley said.

Hunter is younger than most kids who start racing.

"Typically, they get started at age 4 or 5," Nalley said.

Nalley's other son, Steven, 7, has been racing for two years and has already moved up to the rank of "expert."

BMX racing is on the rise, and premieres as an Olympic sport this year at the Beijing Olympics.

To find out how to join, visit www.ccbmx.com.