Motocross races expected to draw large number of riders and big crowd

Motocross races expected to draw large number of riders and big crowd

May 19, 2001

SEVERAL RIDERS BREAK away from the pack during a race at last month’s Motocross Motorcycle Races at the Wild Wild Rest Track. The second motocross of the season will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 20. A record crowd of more than 3,000 and a record number of riders (more than 200) are expected.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

More than 3,000 spectators are expected to watch as many as 200 riders compete this Sunday, May 20, at the Wild Wild Rest Motocross track.

Races start at 10 a.m. Signup and practices will be held from 7-9 a.m.

Motorcycle racers from as far away as Montrose, Colorado Springs, and New Mexico cities of Albuquerque and Gallup will converge here to ride their bikes on the redesigned track. A majority of the riders, though, are from Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Durango, and Farmington.

The races are sponsored by High Desert Racing and sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association.

Eli Tomac of McElmo Canyon is one of the young drivers who is gaining a lot of notice. Tomac, who is the son of professional mountain bike racer John Tomac, has been completely dominating his races, especially in the SuperMini 60 Class on his KTM bike. He went start to finish in first place last week in that event. He also dominated the 60B class as well, again going from start to finish.

John Tomac has been competing in the Open B Amateur Class. He finished fourth in his last outing. He also had a good ride in the first races riding his Yamaha last month in the 250C Novice Class.

Area riders are also doing well with the smaller machines. Adam Nickerson of Dolores is another good SuperMini 60 driver. Corey Adams and Tyler Underwood, both of Dolores, are solid riders in the 50A class. Kevin Fane of Cortez and Sean Boone of Dolores are hanging in there at the top in the Schoolboy Class.

Area riders seem to dominate the Quads. Jimmy Wilson and Scott Schmidlin of Cortez, who both ride Yamahas, have been doing well in the Quads. Brandon and Andrianna Thomas, and Dillon Rosencrance, all of Dolores, are good Mini Quad riders. Dayton Wilson of Mancos, Derek Porter of Cortez, and Tyrun Harris of Lewis are competitive Mini Quad riders as well.

The local riders, though, are having trouble placing high in the larger classifications. Farmington riders Kyle Roach and Ronnie Clark, Justin Dikes of Pagosa Springs, and Joe Roberts of Durango have been the top lately.

Admission is $5 per person. Fans should bring something to sit on and an umbrella for shade. Concessions in the barn will be available.

It looks like it will be a busy late spring through early fall at the Wild Wild Rest, about seven miles west of Mancos on U.S. Highway 160.

Several children’s rodeos will be held May 26, June 30, July 28 (Mancos Days), and Aug. 25 at the arena.

Motocross races, sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association, will be held again June 10, Aug. 19, Sept. 2, and Sept. 30.

New this year will be jackpot ropings, set May 27, July 1, July 29, and Aug. 26.

For more information, phone 533-9747.