Millpond MotoX brings local thrills
<p>Eighteen year old Jordan Winkelseth of Bonners Ferry, wows the crowd with a "heel clicker" as he takes the checkered flag in the 250 Pro Class Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>June, 10, 2007</p>
<p>Riley Havens, 6, takes the checkered flag Saturday in the 0-6 category.</p>
<p>Andy Remp (141) finishes 4th in the 450 pro.</p>
Every year riders gather at Libby’s Millpond track for the annual MotoX competition. This year’s event begins at 5 p.m. Saturday and is expected to draw between 60 and 100 riders.
Motocross was born from motorcycle competitions in the United Kingdom during the early years of the 20th century. During the past 100 years, however, the sport has evolved dramatically as the equipment and the ability of riders has changed and developed. A sport once limited to a small handful of motocycle enthusiasts has grown to provide competition and entertainment for men, women and children of all ages.
Andy Remp, one of the organizers of Millpond MotoX, said this year’s event is sure to please everyone.
“It’s going to be lots of fast-paced motorcycles jumping through
the air,” he said. “It’s good fun for families and people of all ages.”
Libby’s track, Remp said, is more of an arenacross-style track than a traditional motocross track. Most professional motocross tracks are larger and wider than Libby’s track, allowing riders to pick up more speed as they race. Libby’s track is smaller, tighter and filled with more jumps than those types of tracks. The tighter turns and closer jumps require greater technical precision for riders.
“Our course is tighter, with more turns, than most motocross tracks,” he said. “It’s more of a technical course and that requires more precision.”
The Millpond MotoX event is not sanctioned by the American Motocross Association, Remp said. The association sponsors 16 supercross and 12 motocross events around the nation each year.
“Those are usually held in the big cities,” Remp said. “We’re more like college ball here.”
Although the event takes place only once each year, the track is open all spring and summer, allowing riders of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to practice and enjoy the fun of motocross. The race, Remp said, is an opportunity for local riders to show off the skills they’ve developed and honed through hard work and dedication.
Pre-competition practice begins at 3 p.m., with the main races beginning at 5 p.m. The races will feature riders of all ages and skill levels. There will also be a lawn-mower race during the intermission with a $100 cash prize to the winner.