We would love to see some vintage BMX bikes out at this event!
Here is the deal......
August 8th, 2009 is the grand opening of the track. This is a free event with BBQ, prizes, free track time, and a great way to meet local and upcoming riders. This is a family event geared to spark interest in the area and hopefully keep the track permanent. What is basically going to happen is if we can get a huge turnout and interest from the Northwest BMX community, the track will become permanent and we will submit an application to the ABA to have the track sanctioned with weekly races. If we don't get a good turnout, then we will at least have a fun free day with the local community and riders from all over the Northwest (and free food). Of course, we are hoping for an awesome turnout so the sponsors of the track will put more money into the idea and have a permanent place for the track.
Right now the space for the track is on loan from the county and they are willing to make the track a permanent track however, they want to see interest in it by having a great turnout.
So, if your not doing anything or are doing something this Saturday, change your plans and make it out to the Clatsop County Fairgrounds located in Astoria, Oregon and show your support of a new track!
The nitty gritty........
WHEN: AUGUST 8th, 2009
WHERE: CLATSOP COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IN ASTORIA, OREGON
TIME: 12:00PM TO 4:00PM
FREE RACING FOR AGES 6 AND UP (BRING YOUR PARENTS, 17 AND UNDER MUST HAVE PARENTS SIGNATURE)
FREE BBQ
LOCAL RADIO STATION WILL BE BROADCASTING LIVE!
PRIZES FOR ALL AGES TO INCLUDE 2 FREE BMX BIKES (PRETTY SURE, i HAVE TO FINALIZE DETAILS TOMORROW WITH THE SPONSOR)
TOP 5 WINNERS WILL RECEIVE 2 PASSES TO THE MT. DEW TOUR IN PORTLAND AUGUST 13TH - 16TH.
http://www.allisports.com/events/wendys-invitational-2009
And just FYI, I don't believe we will have a gate, we couldn't get a track to donate use of a gate and having one made was way out of the budget. Obviously if this works out, a gate will be built and installed according to ABA rules and regs. So with that said, I have no idea how they are going to determine top 5 winners.
Here is a map and directions from downtown Astoria, Oregon.........
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source...181789&z=13
Here is a map and directions from downtown Portland, Oregon.......
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source...ie=UTF8&z=9
And here are some pictures from start to almost finish, we have been working hard!
The layout!
of course, this is what we have today, we might change up the "huge doubles" on the far right side tomorrow, not sure yet. We think they might be too big although from initial tests, there is plenty of speed for them however we have to think about the groms too. This is no official track or anything, we thought of this layout off the top of our heads (just fyi). We do know that if the track ever comes officialy, were sure the ABA will want a track done to their standards, right now we are just winging it...........
The beginning!
This is the start, this used to be the old rodeo area for the county fair and whatnot. Basically it was a dried out bed or dirt.............
It begins!
Started excavating the area to a flat area so we have basically a blank canvas to begin with.............
All Flat!
The blank canvas................
Dirt!
Our first load of dirt delivered.....were so proud...........
More Dirt!
this is where we started placing dirt in strategic locations only to be moved to the berms later on because we miscalculated the amount of dirt we needed. No worries, local companies pulled through and donated a ton more dirt..............
Berm!
More dirt being delivered and the first dirt on the track is being formed which is the first berm of the track. It was definitely a learning experience with the first berm (and second and third)............
It almost looks like a track!
Been working hard. 2 days of dirt dumped on the track with 5 dump trucks running back and forth non stop both days to bring almost 50 loads of dirt. And now that I think about it, we could probably use another 10........
On a side note for this next picture, all the people you see in the picture simply showed up out of nowhere to help out. The community is really stoked about this, most of these guys don't even ride BMX, they ride downhill mountain bike er whatever it's called.
So that's it for today, I will update the posts for the next few days until the day of the event in which I will post a turnout thread for that too. I hope if your not busy you can make it out. The more the better and I can't stress that enough as we need to impress the sponsors and local businesses here. Lots of town and county officials will be attending the event also and it wouldn't hurt to show them that there is an interest for this in the area.
