RIDERS ENJOY LAST MONTHS AT TRACK
CHICO » Despite heavy winds kicking up dirt Sunday, Bicycle MotoCross riders came out in full force to race at the Silver Dollar BMX track at 2352 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway. The nonprofit was given notice at a September meeting that it will have to vacate the track by the end of the year.
Chico began accepting requests for proposal earlier this week for a homeless shelter provider to construct a 354-bed shelter at what is currently a bicycle race track for children and adults.
The kids are enjoying the track for as long as they are able to.
5-year-old Jase “Boogie” Poteet raced his heart out Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to getting a trophy,” Poteet said before racing. “I’m having fun and doing my best.”
Poteet’s family has always been interested in BMX. “When COVID-19 hit we were so bored,” said David Stallings, Poteet’s grandfather. “But kids didn’t quit
racing. They wore masks and he just fell in love with it.” Poteet has been riding since he was 3-and-a-half years old and started racing when he was 4 years old.
Stallings and Poteet came from Sutter to participate in Sunday’s race, and the youngster Poteet won a first place trophy.
Parent volunteer Erica Smith said that people come from many different places to race at the track.
“People come from all over, it’s a great track,” she said. Smith has two children, an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old, who both race.
After 11 years at the Silver Dollar Fairdgrounds, the track will be transplanted to the Westside Little League baseball fields near the Chico Municipal Airport. The organization hasn’t received official notice yet from the city of Chico, but it was informed of the move at a September meeting.
BMX has seen a lot of participants since it became an official Olympic sport at the Beijing Olympic games in 2008. “It drove a lot of participants,” said Smith. “It’s an incredible outlet for high-energy kids that enjoy cycling.”
The completely volunteerrun organization groom the track, clean the restrooms and stock the snack bar.
Smith, other parents and the staff hope that the kids will be able to finish the racing season. “These kids have raced their butts off,” Smith said. “It’s important to finish the season. Each race gives them structure. It’s a great group of volunteers and an amazing community.”
There are BMX races all over the United States, in Arizona, Nevada and Southern California, said Smith.
The new track won’t be open for business for awhile.
There need to be adjustments for safety and the track won’t be ridable for awhile, according to Michelle Wysocki. Wysocki serves on the board of di
rectors for the Silver Dollar BMX. The track will shut down upon official notice from Chico officials, according to Wysocki.
Silver Dollar BMX is connected to local nonprofit North Valley Community Foundation, which helps connect Butte County nonprofits with donors. The second annual North Valley Week of Giving which elps raise money for charitable organizations begins Nov. 30 and runs until Dec. 6. Donations to Silver Dollar BMX can be made at nvcf.org.
Smith wants newcomers to know that they can still come out and try racing at the current track. There are practices on Tuesday and races on Thursdays and Sundays. More information can be found on the Silver Dollar BMX Facebook page.