WESTLOCK — Motocross racers from across the province took to the Kuster MX Park in Westlock May 27-28 for Rounds 1 and 2 of the Riverside Motosports MX Series.
The two-day event, hosted by the Alberta Oldtimers Motocross Club, welcomed roughly 350 registered racers from Fort McMurray, Calgary, Stettler, Sherwood Park, Edmonton, Leduc, Buck Creek, Morinville, Spruce Grove and Barrhead over the two days.
“We usually do the first race of the year in Westlock and we know racers like to race there because the track is safe, it’s well prepped and it’s a family event,” said Alberta Oldtimers Motocross Association (AOMTX) president Andre Bouchard. “The purpose of our club is to hold family races and that's why we allow our kids to race with us in different categories. This weekend the weather was perfect and we got a really good battle in all the categories.”
The club is a non-profit organization that has about 250 members who compete in events from May to October each year. The club also uses the track in Westlock to practice during the season, which they do about three days a week beginning in April, he noted.
This year there were 12 races each day for different age groups and designated levels including expert, master, intermediate, and two all-female categories.
“We had races in the morning and after lunch and the next day we did the same,” said Bouchard. “For a weekend normally, if you are registered for one class you will do four races, two races Saturday and two races Sunday.”
Club members range in age from 30 to over 70, including 19 kids ages four to eight who competed as peewee racers.
“If a rider wants to compete in a lot of races during the weekend, (they) can register for one, two or three classes but you need to respect your skill level and age group,” said Bouchard.
