A family outing for most people involves heading to the park or a trip to the baseball or soccer field. But the family of 8-year old Walker Porter spends its time hanging out at the racetrack.

Racing is a family affair for Walker, a third-grader at Julian Newman Elementary, who, along with his two brothers Max, 15, and Ty, 12, was introduced to fast-moving vehicles about four years ago by his stepfather Mack McCormack. He quickly developed an affinity for going fast, first in go-karts and then in motocross, a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on closed, off-road circuits.

“They weren’t really stick and ball sports players, so I introduced them to go-kart racing, which is what I did as a kid,” McCormack said. “About two years ago, their grandfather, my wife’s dad, who is an old motorcycle guy and has tons of motorcycles, introduced them to that, and they really loved it.”

The boys began doing flat track motorcycle racing at first, but a lack of tracks in the area caused them to switch their interest to motocross. Walker’s trophy cabinet has been quickly growing, including racking up three race wins at Southern Supercross Series event in Lexington last weekend.

But he recently received his biggest reward, an invitation to compete in the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

The KTM motorcycle company is a large sponsor of the AMA Supercross Series, which is the NASCAR version of motocross racing. One of the events KTM puts on at several AMA Supercross Series races throughout the season is a junior supercross challenge for young racers.

Young riders submit an online application including a biography, race results, school grades and a doctor’s statement of weight and height along with a clean bill of health. Based on that criteria, 15 riders are selected to compete in the event.

The race includes young racers from around the country, and even three from overseas, with one rider from Australia, one from Austria and one from Spain. It also includes a racer from Athens — one Walker Porter. The race will take place Saturday, May 5 before the AMA Supercross Series race on the same track the professionals will race on, and will be televised by Fox Sports 1.

“It’s a huge honor to get picked,” McCormack said. “The thing about it is, they treat these kids like a pro for a day. All we have to show up with is our helmet and riding boots. They provide them with riding gear with their name and number, a new GoPro camera and a neck brace, which he gets to keep. They will even have an autograph session for the little guys to sign stuff for the crowd walking through. And they will have the pro riders come by to talk with them and sign anything they want them to sign. It’s a huge event for them.”

While the pomp and circumstance of the event is enough to make any child’s head spin, Walker said there is just one thing he is looking forward to doing in Las Vegas.

“Racing,” he said. “I’m real excited. I love jumping and going fast. It’s just a lot of fun.”

That answer doesn’t surprise his mother, Missy McCormack, who said Walker has had the need for speed since he first sat in his first go-kart.

“Walker has loved racing since he was tiny,” she said. “Anything he races he loves it. He will wake up on a Monday and ask when Saturday will get here so he can go racing. It’s just unreal to watch this little guy go. He’s very focused and absolutely loves it.”

Missy McCormack said the family is fully committed to the racing exploits of not just Walker, but his brothers as well. Each race weekend sees the whole clan, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, at the track, cheering the boys on. They will also be traveling to Las Vegas to support Walker.

“It’s always fun to watch your child do something he loves,” Missy McCormack said. “I never imagined that all three of the boys would want to do this. When we first started this racing thing, I thought the three of them would grow tired of it, but they just can’t get enough of it. They finish one race and can’t wait for the next one.”

Of course, any form of motor racing comes with inherent risks, and while Missy McCormack said she worries about the safety of her kids while they are competing, it is a risk they are willing to take.

“It’s very intense to watch,” she said. “But they are in the latest safety equipment, and do everything to be as safe as possible. I’ve had people tell me that they can’t believe I let my kids do that, but I tell them you can get hurt playing any sport. I’ve had friends that have broken their ankles on the baseball field.”

Walker said he is both excited and nervous to compete, but he will have the support of several family members in Las Vegas as well as many more back home in Athens.

“Just the experience for the whole family is going to be great in itself,” Mack McCormack said. “To get to race on the same track as the pros in front of thousands of fans and on national television is a huge deal for anyone. We’re sure going to try to win, but it’s going to be lots of fun regardless.”