There was a lot of noise, dust and gas fumes in the air over the weekend at the Westlock motocross track as the Alberta Oldtimers Motocross Association descended on the town for the fourth leg of its summer race series.
More than 200 riders and at least twice as many spectators filled the track and surrounding fields to rip around the track and cheer on their loved ones in pursuit of the season’s overall title.
The association, for dirt bike riders aged 30-plus, has been around for more than 35 years and keeps close to its roots.
“We’re a very family-oriented club,” said vice president Vern Hardie.
With wide open skies and the sun beating down on everyone, he said he couldn’t have asked for better conditions on Saturday’s first day of racing.
Association treasurer Tom Ostrem said this was the second time the group had raced in Westlock this season.
They started the summer series in Westlock a few weeks ago, before heading out to Devil’s Lake and Antler Lake before returning. With only two race weekends remaining, every point matters from here on out.
One of the riders on the track in search of points was Dale Lees out of Edmonton, who is living a childhood dream racing dirt bikes.
“It’s always been a dream I had since I was a kid,” he said. “I’m competitive by nature so that’s why I race.”
He didn’t get heavily into racing and riding until he was 18, when he was able to do it without needing his parents’ permission. Since then, he’s put more than 30 years of racing under his belt.
Despite the fun that riding is, Lees said he fully understands the risks involved and how serious they really are.
“There’s a healthy place for it, and that comes with practice,” he said. “You don’t want to ride outside your abilities, but when racing there are other variables, like the other people on the track with you.”
Besides the competitive nature of riding, he said there’s something somewhat cathartic about getting out on a bike every once in a while.
“You’re tired at the end of a long work week, but when you get on the bike you remember why it is you do it,” Lees said.
Although the club is for riders over the age of 30, Ostrem said there are classes for younger riders. One of the younger riders who has taken advantage of that opportunity to race over the weekend is Megan Hunt.
Only 15, Hunt has been riding since she was six.
“It’s like an adrenaline rush when you’re on the line,” she said. “It just blows your mind when you’re going over the jumps and going really fast.”
Although she’s been riding for years, she said being on the starting line is still a bit scary, but once she gets out on the track she gets more comfortable and the nerves subside.
“I start to feel good and want to do well and push myself,” she said.
Racing is something that runs in the Hunt family, she added.
“My dad races with me, so he’s all for it,” Hunt said. “My mom supports me but doesn’t come out very often.”
With a long life still ahead of her, Hunt said she doesn’t plan on quitting riding any time soon.
“I want to do it as long as possible,” she said. “It’s what I like doing.”
