Getting 'Rad'

MOSES LAKE – Riders of all ages took to the Larson BMX Track on Friday night to kick off Moses Lake BMX’s Summer Series, moving the weekly Local Single Point Races to Friday evenings.

“Here in Moses Lake we run what’s called total points, which means all the riders get a score regardless of their place,” Assistant Track Operator Russell Beck said. “First place gets the most points, second place gets a little less and so forth. Those points are totaled by their placing. It’s like an accumulative point total.”

Three rounds of races – referred to as motos – were held for novice, intermediate and cruiser divisions.

“The points are totaled up at the end,” Beck said. “They race three times – three motos. The first two motos are like their qualifying motos to see who continues to the final race, which is the third moto, called the main event.”

The points from the races go toward a rider’s end-of-season standings, Beck said. Rankings are reflected on a rider’s number plate on the front of their bike.

“These points go to their ranking,” Beck said. “Each part of the country is divided into districts – Eastern Washington is one district, Western Washington is broken into two districts. Those points go to their standings.”

First-time participants can compete in a Local Single Point Race for free, and Beck added that they don’t even need to have a BMX bike to ride.

“They are open to everyone,” Beck said. “You can get a one-day membership and race for free your first time, and your next race, then you have to buy your membership from USA BMX. USA BMX is a national organization, you can race at any track in the U.S. or Canada with that membership.”

Over Memorial Day weekend, Moses Lake BMX hosted a state qualifier race as well as a Gold Cup qualifier race, which offered double and triple points, respectively. While the Friday night races typically average about 30 riders, the state and Gold Cup races bring in additional riders.

“Those will attract hundreds of riders,” Beck said.

Moses Lake BMX’s season began on April 1 and will continue until mid-October.

“Here in Moses Lake we’re going to continue until about the middle of October,” Beck said. “The season, BMX itself, will actually go until December 15. Most tracks up here, due to the weather, will start shutting down.”

The Friday night races will continue until when school begins in the fall, then will shift back to Saturday mornings. The next major event on the schedule is the Race for Life on August 25, where riders raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Race for Life is also a double-point race.

“Our next big event is going to be a Race for Life,” Beck said. “The Race for Life, all the money that goes from the entry fees, everything, it goes toward Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It’s a charity race, and it counts as double points (for riders).”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.