KINGMAN – BMX racers descended on Kingman over the weekend, with more than 1,800 riders taking part in the three-day Route 66 Classic Nationals. The event was hosted by USA BMX May 7 – 9. Due to COVID-19 concerns the race weekend was originally intended to be held in Las Vegas; however, USA BMX determined that the Mohave County Fairgrounds would be a well-suited location. This was also the first national BMX race for the Kingman race course.
Race participants come from all over the country. JT from Twin Cities, Minnesota, brought his daughter “little JT.” Little JT is ranked number one nationally in the eight-year-old cruiser class. JT described the track as “Old School”. It’s a track where everyone has to show their skills,” he explained. He went on to say that most nationals races are usually held on indoor tracks and that High Desert BMX had a little bit of everything.
Robert Gardener from San Jose, Calif., said about the race, “You just wanna get into the main. Anything could happen, someone could crash, a chain could fall off, anything could happen.”
Lucille Combs, part of the race staff, said that the event could turn into an annual event.
The Track Operator Harry Leary, a Hall a BMX hall of fame recipient, said that USA BMX felt that the track had the proper accommodations to hold such a significant event. Leary also explained that he raced in the event, in the 61+ Cruiser and 51+ BMX Expert class.
BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross, and USA BMX is a BMX race organizer and ambassador for the sport of BMX Racing. USA BMX holds cycling events across the country, stating on their website, “One of the best things about BMX Racing is that no two tracks are the same. In this sport, you’re not playing on the same court or field”
To find out more about the sport of BMX bike racing, you can find more on the website usabmx.com and if you would like to find out information about the High Desert BMX race track in Kingman, you can go to www.usabmx.com/tracks/1807 or contact track operator Harry Leary at 760-508-5372.
Chad Walker