MOTOCROSS MECCA YOUNG, OLD TEAR IT UP IN LANCASTER.Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer LANCASTER - On any Sunday - or any Wednesday, Friday or Saturday - motocross motocross Form of motorcycle racing in which cyclists compete on a closed course marked out over natural or simulated rough terrain. Courses vary widely but must be 1.5–5 km (1–3 mi) in length, with steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud. enthusiasts roar around the dirt track and obstacles at AVMotoplex. Helmeted, safety-suited 5-year-olds on 50 cc miniature motorcycles scoot scoot v. scoot·ed, scoot·ing, scoots v.intr. To go suddenly and speedily; hurry. v.tr. Upper Southern U.S. around the peewee peewee: see flycatcher. track while men on 450 cc motocross racers zoom over jumps on the main track. ``They both started when they were 3. They had training wheels training wheels pl.n. A pair of small wheels attached to the rear axle of a bicycle so that beginning riders can ride without falling over. on their bikes,'' Jaren Garrett of Mojave said as he watched sons Seth, 6, and Kade, 5, ride around the minitrack min·i·track n. An electronic system designed to follow the course of satellites and rockets and to correlate radio signals received by a network of ground stations. . ``They love it. It's all they ever talk about.'' Opened in May, expanded in October with 25,000 tons of sand and dirt trucked in for jumps and berms, and due to host a southern round of the 30th annual Golden State MX National series Feb. 5, the complex is on leased land at the rear of the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . AVMotoplex owner Robert Lundin, 28, started riding himself when he was about 6. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , he rode motorcycles on family property some 15 miles west of Lancaster. He and a partner organized motorcycle races out at the old Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in central Lancaster, and after the fairgrounds moved, the fair board gave him permission to open a permanent track on fair property adjoining the Antelope Valley Freeway The Antelope Valley Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Kern counties in southern California. It is signed as California State Highway 14 along its length. It connects Greater Los Angeles to the rapidly developing Antelope Valley. . Lundin's making plans to operate a much bigger motocross complex in the Castaic area, proposed in a canyon between the north- and southbound lanes of Interstate 5. But on Saturday, Lundin - who has degrees in business law and management and an MBA MBA abbr. Master of Business Administration Noun 1. MBA - a master's degree in business Master in Business, Master in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an - was washing mud off a tractor in preparation for the arrival of a mechanic as dozens of riders circled the Lancaster tracks. ``I knew I wanted to go into business for myself and knew either I was going to own a bike shop or try to build a track,'' Lundin said. Most of AVMotoplex's riders come from the Antelope Valley, but some come from the San Fernando Valley, Bakersfield or farther. Some are competitive riders, who practice several days a week, including a number of youngsters whose parents drive them to national races as far away as Florida. While Antelope Valley riders would seem to have nearly limitless - if not always legal - places to ride for free, the track has a steady clientele at $25 a rider ($15 for the peewee track). The desert doesn't have groomed jumps, flagmen to stop other riders when there's a spill and paramedics minutes away, Lundin said. The track doesn't have unexpected mine shafts and dune buggies, or 4-wheel-drive trucks whose drivers aren't looking out for motorcyclists. ``If you own a Ferrari and you want to learn to drive it to its potential, you can't do that on the street,'' Lundin said of the difference between desert and track riding. Brett Sauve of Simi Valley drove one hour and 10 minutes to get to the track with his 18-year-old son, Trevor, and a friend. They've been riding at the Lancaster track since it opened and also travel to motocross courses in Adelanto, at the L.A. County Raceway in Palmdale and near Gorman. ``This track is challenging. It's got good jumps,'' said Sauve, 44, who's been riding since he was a teenager and competes in the age 40 pro bracket. ``They maintain it real well. It's become of the nicer tracks in the area.'' AVMotoplex's phone number is (661) 723-0773. Its Web site is www.avmotoplex.com. Charles F. Bostwick, (661) 267-5742 chuck.bostwick(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Fully armored and ready for battle, Seth Garrett, 6, leads the pack at Antelope Valley Motoplex's peewee track Saturday in Lancaster. (2 -- color) Getting air on the AVMotoplex's manicured dirt jumps is one of the thrills that attracts motocross riders to Lancaster. (3 -- color) The AVMotoplex has brought in more than 25,000 tons of dirt and sand to sculpt sculpt v. sculpt·ed, sculpt·ing, sculpts v.tr. 1. To sculpture (an object). 2. To shape, mold, or fashion especially with artistry or precision: jumps in the name of getting airborne. (4) Riders take a turn and a few bumps at the AVMotoplex on Saturday. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion