Local 9-Year-Old Benny 'The Jet' to Race in World BMX Competition

He may only be 9 years old, but Benny Sereni and his BMX bike are ready to take on the world. 

The Newark native and Milani Elementary student, nicknamed “The Jet” for his lightning-fast speed on the racetrack, will compete on July 24 at the UCI BMX World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.

“It’s exciting,” Benny said with a bashful but wide, ear-to-ear smile.

Like others his age, Benny enjoys playing with his siblings and hanging out with friends. But unlike most 9-year-olds, a majority of that bonding time takes place at the Santa Clara PAL track, where he practices up to five times a week with his fellow Hooligans Racing team members, a tight-knit group of more than 20 local racers ranging from 5 to 45 years old.

The time Benny puts in on the track is his choice, Benny’s father, Jeff Sereni said.

“Every season we offer him soccer, baseball and every other sport but he passes on it so he can keep training,” he said.

It’s that commitment that’s won Benny more than 100 trophies since he picked up BMX racing three years ago. Benny’s cousins were racing, and his uncle asked him to tag along one day. The rest is history in the making.

At 4-foot-1 and 73 pounds, he can speed through a lap in 30 seconds. He races in the expert category due to his skill, transcending the novice and intermediate divisions. He was ranked fifth in the region in his age and division last year and eighth this year. But what’s a regional ranking when you can have the world? 

“I told him, ‘Let’s concentrate on the big fish,’” Jeff Sereni said.

That concentration paid off. Benny qualified for the international competition after snagging eighth place in his age group at the USA Cycling National Championship last month.

His BMX has already taken him all over the U.S. 

“His mom jokes that through BMX at age 9, he’s been more places than she has, but it’s true. The more he gets into it, the further we expand,” Jeff Sereni said. 

Now Benny’s got New Zealand in his sights, but it won’t be cheap. The registration fees alone are about $350. Airfare and lodging could be another couple thousand dollars.

Determined to get Benny to the competition, his family and the Hooligans crew are hosting events to raise funds for Benny’s trip.

They’ve started an online fundraising page via gofundme.com and on Sunday, June 23, Hooligans Racing is throwing a pizza fundraiser at Love at First Slice.

“We’re trying to get the word out,” Jeff Sereni said. “This is a big thing for a local kid to make this race. We’d love to offset the cost with some local sponsorships.”

To help send Benny to the BMX World Championship, visit http://www.gofundme.com/395pag.