Air Force U-2 maintenance superintendent, Sacramento native, uses military deployment to take BMX racing to the next level Published April 6, 2010 By Senior Airman Jenifer H. Calhoun 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- If a four-month deployment, being an aircraft U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft maintenance superintendent, a husband and father of three isn't enough to keep Senior Master Sgt. Shawn O'Gorman busy, add training and competing as a nationally-ranked bicycle motocross racer. Hailing from Sacramento Calif., where bicycle motocross, or BMX, sport racing began, Sergeant O'Gorman has been competing in BMX since the age of 13. Little did his mother know how far he would take it. "My next door neighbors started racing and then my brother, sister and I talked my mom into it and she bought us bikes," said Sergeant O'Gorman who's also known as "Swifty" in the BMX community. BMX is a cycling sport which the main goal is racing on bicycles on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, according to Wikipedia. It started in the 1970s in Southern California with the American Bicycle Association , or ABA. By 1977, it was formed as a national sanctioning body for the sport. By 1993, it had fully incorporated into the Union Cyclist International. While being deployed from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Sergeant O'Gorman found time to train -- even without a bike. "I'm addicted to jumping and riding," said Sergeant O'Gorman. Being deployed is the perfect time for hitting the gym to work on weight training away from the bike, he said. "I deployed last year at the same time and did the same thing," he said. Sergeant O'Gorman specializes in dirt-track racing -- also known as traditional BMX racing. In BMX there are three classes: A-amateur, AA-professional, elite and veteran pro which is a pro-license holder. Thirty years or older is the category Sergeant O'Gorman competes in. He said his biggest accomplishment was in 1988, after he enlisted in the Air Force and had been awaiting a date for basic training. "I finished number one in the nation," he said. "I turned pro for a season, but those who race in that category do it for a living -- plus It takes a lot of money to pursue," he said. "I turned a pro when I was 17 and veteran when I turned 28." He's now 42. In the most recent years, while in the veteran class, Sergeant O'Gorman completed 8th -- and most recently 15th in 2009. He said his goal for the coming year is to be able to attend a grand race, which counts as double points, and hopefully finish out the season in the top nine. The sport rewards strength, quickness and bike handling. "The national season is all year so I missed a lot of it," he said because of his deployment to Southwest Asia. After he returned from his last deployment in March 2009 -- he did the best in the veterans' class that he'd done in a long time. "I got two seconds, four thirds and a fourth," he said. Sergeant O'Gorman said the sport is very family-oriented and largely participant-driven with the riders ranging in age from 15 to over 40 years old. He even met his wife of 16 years, Christine, through BMX racing. "Her father still races in the over 56 age group," said Sergeant O'Gorman. The biggest reward for Sergeant O'Gorman, he said, is working with children. His youngest son Dawson competes in BMX as well. "It really is the best family sport," he said. In 2005, his brother Bob "O-G" O'Gorman was ranked first in the cruiser category, according to the ABA. Currently, Sergeant O'Gorman is on the Flow Team sponsored by Redline Bicycles. "The great thing about BMX is that it's an individual sport, but you're still on a team," the BMX veteran said. "Those points at each race count toward your overall team score. You may be racing for yourself, but you're still encouraging and cheering on your teammates." While the racer has since redeployed back to Beale AFB and California, he said he hopes is that his time spent here training without a bike, will propel him to new heights.