Local track has hosted top names in the sport in the last three decades
Steeped in rich racing history and recognized by the sound of roaring engines, soft dirt and bright lights, Calhoun Motocross is one of Gordon County’s most prestigious crown jewels of competition.
Highly touted as “Georgia’s Oldest Saturday Night Race Track”, the Calhoun Motocross track was established in 1984 by a local family known as the Satterfields. They not only constructed the original track, but were also responsible for the initial promotion of the first races.
Although most of Gordon County’s illustrious sports history is tied to high school facilities such as Phil Reeve Stadium, some of the world’s most famous motocross legends have spun their tires around Calhoun’s track.
Ricky Carmichael, considered by many to be the greatest motocross star of all time, spent time on the track in Calhoun as a young racer on a 80cc bike. Other notable racers that have ventured to Calhoun Motocross to race include stars such as Ezra Lusk, Keith Turpin and James “Bubba” Stewart.
Flash forward to the 2017 season and Calhoun Motocross is currently running its own racing series known as the Calhoun Classic SX. Calhoun will also host the AMA SAS Series and the AMA Big Classic Series this year.
“What makes Calhoun Motocross Special is we are the track where dreams begin and grow into much more than one can possibly imagine,” current owner and promoter Beth Anderson said. “For a community, it’s a place for family’s to enjoy good fun.”
The track prides itself on providing a wide-range of races for anyone age four through 60-plus years old. Calhoun Motocross functions as a location that can provide an exhilarating experience for the entire family.
“It’s a great place for all ages just to come out and enjoy,” Anderson added. “It’s a place that your troubles are forgotten.”
Even though race results and records will always remain crucial, it’s important to note that it is the memories generated from simply spending time at the track that has transformed the place into hallowed ground to those who treasure it.
“My fondest memory thus far was our memorial race for a local pro racer,” Anderson said. “We honored him and his family with a parade lap before the night of racing. Everyone was welcome to ride their bikes on the track for the parade.”
“To see his family lead the riders (400500 bikes) was such a soulful experience. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when they concluded it with them all lined up roaring their engines.”
While it is important to acknowledge the decorated past of Calhoun Motocross, Anderson and her team also stay focused on adapting the track yearly and keeping the slate full of future races.
“We change the course of our track every year to give our racers an opportunity to better themselves, and we are constantly making improvements to the facility,” Anderson said. ”We’ve been invited each year to participate in more AMA races and we’d love to continue those opportunities.”
When asked what she pictures for the future of this special track, Anderson indicated that she just wants Calhoun Motocross to continue to be utilized to unify people and tighten families.
“What I envision is more families enjoying their families,” Anderson said. “Whether it’s grandparents connecting with their grandkids or blended families becoming one. As the promoter and owner, what makes it special is that I don’t feel like I’m at work when I am there on race night with my team. I feel like I’m with my family.”