BMX-ing the Metro

Gordon Robinett operates the Raytown BMX track and has been into BMX for about eight years. "I volunteered to be part of the track board at one of the public meetings," says Robinett. "When the track director moved, I told them I would direct the track."

Raytown holds its weekly point races on Thursday nights, with an average of about 90 riders per week. There is parking for about 200 cars, which is one reason Lowderman thought the site would be appropriate. Temporary latrines are set up on the site, but no permanent restroom facilities are available. "That is one improvement the BMX group will make later when funds allow," Lowderman says.

Bleachers hold about 300 people, and the walkways and common areas are all paved. "We will add more bleachers as we make further improvements. This is an ongoing process," says Robinett. Massive 65-foot lights brighten the track area and provide enough light for the rest of the fenced-in spectator area and part of the parking lot. Raytown BMX is an impressive track by BMX standards.

"We have a 1,200-foot track with one of the biggest start hills in the Midwest," Robinett says. "I think Rockford, Ill., is the next largest around here. I don't know exactly how much dirt was used to build the track, but I know that they moved a lot of it. The ABA was here for three weeks helping with it."

After racers verify their ABA memberships and pay their nightly entry fees, they must prove they have the proper safety equipment. Racers must have a 20-inch-wheel bike without reflectors or kickstands, long-sleeve shirts and pants, padded bars on their bikes, and helmets. They start their race at the top of a 15-foot start hill, which provides momentum for the rest of the race. Eight racers compete at a time, first by age groupings and then by racing skill -- novice, intermediate, or expert, which is determined by the number of points the racer has accrued.

The first set of races qualifies riders for later races. Riders who place advance to the main event. "Riders can start racing at age 3," explains Robinett. "And we have riders who race through adulthood." Between the qualifying and main event races, there is an intermission, when toddlers can ride down the start hill on Big Wheels. "It is really fun, and everyone gets up and cheers them on," Groves says.

The older children's races are faster-paced and competitive. After a racer starts down the hill, he has a 22-foot-long jump and a 26-foot-long set of double jumps. After that, racers face a 28-foot-long set of triple jumps, a sharp turn, and finally, a 14-foot-long set of double jumps before heading into a straightaway to finish.

Shane Banks is 10 years old and has raced for six years. "I really like it because it is extreme but it also a family sport. Right now, I am sixth (in his class) in the nation," he says proudly.

Lowderman says the ABA spent between $20,000 and $25,000 to build the track and the parks board spent about $50,000 for fencing, a concession stand, bleachers, pavement, and other equipment. "We then loaned the BMX group $50,000 for lighting, which is to be paid back to the park board."

The Raytown Park Board budget for this year shows that the BMX track will incur $37,652 in expenses and take in more than $60,550. The income will be collected from racers' fees; $5,000 from the ABA for a national competition to be held at the track over July 4th weekend; projected concession sales for that weekend; and camping fees of $5 each for out-of-town racers who wish to camp on the grounds over the three-day period.

Gillette says the ABA schedules nationals in different areas around the country, although some standing races take place at certain tracks every year. "We may schedule races at a new track or a track that needs a boost in membership," he says. "We always try to support our local track operators."

National events, such as the one Raytown will host, will draw national attention. Fox Sports will carry the event through the weekend, and several BMX and sports magazines will cover the event.

"This is really an argument over the proper role of municipal governments," says Greg Walters, an alderman for the city of Raytown who opposed the BMX track. "I think it is our job to take care of the nuts and bolts first. Roads and capital improvements are needed in different areas of the city, and we are competing with the private sector in building these parks." Walters had similar complaints about the Super Splash Park in Raytown, which is a municipal swimming pool and water park setup similar to the BMX track. "The other question I have is: How many of these people who are utilizing this facility are actually Raytown residents?"

Robinett lives in Lee's Summit and says that most of the riders are from within a 10-mile radius of the track.

Lowderman defends his department's involvement in the BMX track. "I think it is a model," he says. "We have our own budget and are responsible fiscally if we succeed or fail. We are motivated to succeed because all of the money we generate is put back into our department for more improvements and not allocated somewhere else."