Yakima Valley BMX & Indoor Track
NEWS! & Happings!
***** News INDEX of LISTINGS *****
05-09-2006 - Yakima BMX - Ahtanum Park A $2 Parking Fee After All
04-26-2006 - Union Gap Won't Charge To Park At Park
04-18-2006 - Fees For Park Use Always A Bad Idea
04-16-2006 - Ahtanum Park Entry Will Cost $3 - Eventually
03-22-2006 - Ahtanum Youth Park Transfer Completed
03-17-2006 - Ahtanum Youth Park Fees On the Way
03-01-2006 - Union Gap Takes Over Youth Park
01-24-2006 - Union Gap (Yakima) wants more park info
01-11-2006 - 2006 Yakima Valley BMX Indoor Schedule
12-22-2005 - Yakima Valley Indoor February - March 2006
07-27-2005 - Yakima's Walters takes fourth at World BMX Champ
07-20-2005 - A Yakima Valley BMX Race Report
03-16-2005 - Congratulations to Yakima Valley BMX race crew
02-24-2005 - Mike Redman cominig to Yakima Indoor
01-27-2005 - Yakima Valley Indoor Announces 2005 Schedule
11-08-2004 - Yakima Valley Indoor BMX plans, but nothing is set
09-08-2004 - Council Not Ready to Commit to a Eastside Skatepark
05-07-2004 - Yakima Locals Place Well in ABA U.S. Nationals
04-07-2004 - Last Ride for Lou's Bike shop
03-15-2004 - Indoor BMX Report Double-Double Weekend
02-03-2004 - No Yakima Parking fees
01-21-2004 - Compromise Cuts Planned Fee for Parking at Ahtanum Park
12-10-2003 - Charge a Fee? Critics Say Keep Parks Free
12-09-2003 - Yakima park fee?
11-20-2003 - Yakima facing new challenges for next season
10-20-2003 - Yakima Indoor News Rumors
05-20-2003 - Opening 2003 races Yakima Outdoor
04-08-2003 - 3 Locals Tops in BMX Nationals
04-04-2003 - Waters Rising Close to the Top
04-03-2003 - Several Locals at BMX Nationals
07-21-2002 - Yakima Valley BMX SRC doin' it RIGHT
03-21-2002 - BMX RACING--Riding on Common Ground
03-21-2002 - BMX RACING--Riders Flocking to Pasco for National Event
11-10-2001 - Yakima Doin' It Right
10-18-2001 - BMX Riders Looking for Place to Ride
07-08-2001 - BMX -- The Race Is Not Always to the Swift
08-14-1999 - BMX Speed Demons Thrive on Thrill of Racing
04-13-1999 - BMX Bikers Take to 'Phat Air' at New Track
03-23-1999 - Spring Break Class Aims to Make Yakima Kids Safer on Bikes
_______________________________________________________________
05-09-2006 - Yakima BMX - Ahtanum Park A $2 Parking Fee After All
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
After weeks of debate, public input and shifting opinions,
the City Council on Monday agreed to charge a $2 parking
fee at Ahtanum Youth Activities Park.
The fee goes into effect July 1. 2006
"I'd love to see this parking fee go away," Councilman Roger Wentz
said. "But without it, our budget can't sustain (the park)."
The council voted 6-1 to approve the fee, evoking mixed
reactions among the 15-plus people in attendance.
Councilman Dan Olson cast the lone dissenting vote.
The council also unanimously voted to refund the park's
budget to $235,000, reversing a recent decision to slash
funding to $75,000.
Public Works Director Dennis Henne estimates the $2
parking fee will generate $180,000 to $190,000 for
maintenance and operations. An additional $90,000
from rental fees is anticipated.
See Full News Post at:
http://www.phpbb88.com/genesbmx/viewtopic.php?t=186&mforum=genesbmx
Yakima BMX - Ahtanum Park A $2 Parking Fee After All
( Pacific Northwest BMX Forums - "BMX Washington State" )
-OR-
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/GenesBMX/message/10981
04-26-2006 - Union Gap Won't Charge To Park At Park
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
Responding to community protest, the Union Gap City
Council voted against establishing $3 parking fee for
Ahtanum Youth Activities Park Monday night.
The City Council voted 4-3 against the proposal, which was
to be implemented July 1. Councilmembers David Butler, Toni
Webb, Dan Olson and Glenn Bateman cast the dissenting votes.
The decision came as a surprise to many, with the majority of
the council speaking in favor of the fee earlier this month.
However, Cindy Pratt, president of the Yakima Youth Soccer
Association, said she's grateful the council reconsidered.
"I'm very relieved for the youth soccer players in our valley,"
she said. "They really could not afford a parking fee. We are
glad we are able to continue using Ahtanum Youth Park."
The council has debated implementing a parking fee since
taking control of the park in March. The county previously
owned the 74-acre complex but relinquished its title for
financial reasons. (
More )
04-18-2006 - Fees For Park Use Always A Bad Idea
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
Budget shortfalls in the past resulted in pressure to
find new revenues for state parks by adopting a day
use fee. The day use fee has resulted in reduced attendance,
high collection costs, AND negative impacts to tourism.
Attendance has decreased by 20 percent. Citizens, particularly
the poor and elderly, have been negatively impacted by the fees...
— Excerpts from a legislative report on Substitute House Bill 2416.
The state Legislature went on to approve SHB 2416,
abruptly ending a short-lived, highly controversial
and counterproductive experiment with day-use parking
fees at state parks as of April 9.
In light of that action, the Union Gap City Council should
reconsider plans to implement a parking fee for Ahtanum
Youth Park as of July 1. It was a bad idea when Yakima
County considered it before turning over ownership of the
park to Union Gap. It's still a bad idea. (
More )
04-16-2006 - Ahtanum Park Entry Will Cost $3 - Eventually
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
The Union Gap City Council on Monday provisionally
approved a $3 parking fee for Youth Activities Park
to go into effect July 1.
The City Council voted 5-1 in favor of the fee, despite community
protest. Councilman Dan Olson voted against the proposal. Council
woman Toni Webb did not attend the meeting.
The council intended to implement the fee May 15 but reconsidered after
learning the charge could affect an upcoming soccer tournament. The new
ordinance, reflecting the date change and other fee details, will be
presented for the council's approval April 24. (
More )
03-22-2006 - Ahtanum Youth Park Transfer Completed
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
Union Gap has a "new" park.
The Youth Activities Park along Ahtanum Road
will become the city's property Monday.
Yakima County commissioners Tuesday voted unanimously
to transfer the 74-acre complex, citing ongoing financial
woes and the park's location inside Union Gap city limits.
The Union Gap City Council agreed last month to accept the
park at 1000 Ahtanum Road and some money from the county
to offset initial operating costs.
Commissioners declared the property surplus and transferred it
to Union Gap after a public hearing at which no citizens testified.
The city, as required by the transfer agreement, will honor all
existing contracts with user groups, including the Yakima Youth
Soccer Association and the Yakima Valley BMX Association,
which developed a bike motocross track at Ahtanum.
Mayor Aubrey Reeves said the city also will assume the job of taking
reservations for park facilities. The county had farmed out that work
to the Yakima Greenway Foundation after cutting the parks budget to
a point where no staff was available to take reservations.
"We are really happy. It gives us a lot of opportunities we never
had in the past for activities and programs," Reeves said.
Ahtanum is the second park the county has turned over to a city.
Sunnyside took control of SunnyView Park along Yakima Valley
Highway, between Sunnyside and Grandview, in 2003.
Now, groups involved with the West Valley Community Park
on South 80th Avenue are suggesting the city of Yakima take
over that park. Should that occur, the county would be left
with Eschbach Park on South Naches Road and the Lower
Naches Community Park near Gleed.
Commission Chairman Jesse Palacios said it's unfortunate
the county doesn't have enough money for parks.
"We can no longer afford to spend money on quality of
life issues. Most of our money goes to public safety and
the courts," he said. "It's too bad, but that is the reality."
Commissioner Mike Leita said the transfer makes sense,
since the park is in Union Gap. He said annexations by cities
bring tax revenues but also the responsibility to provide services.
"Ahtanum became an island within a city. It is only proper as
cities continue to grow that they assume services the county
has provided," Leita said.
Along with the title to the property, the county will give Union Gap
more than $27,000. The money is what is left in the county's 2006 parks
budget for the Ahtanum park. The county funded the park for the first
six months of the year.
03-17-2006 - Ahtanum Youth Park Fees On the Way
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
The new owners of a popular local park
plan to charge you a fee just to get in.
The city of Union Gap is set to take over Ahtanum
Youth Park from Yakima county later this month.
Several changes are being planned.
One is to turn the youth barn into a senior center.
But the biggest change will hit your wallet.
Leaders may charge three to five dollars for
each car to get into the park.
"We think we can make a special park out of it that
everybody will be thrilled to come to, even if they
have to pay a little bit, we want to make it worthwhile,
when they get there, they get their money's worth and
then some," says Union Gap mayor Aubrey Reeves.
The city says it will cost 300-thousand
dollars a year to keep the park open.
NEWS UPDATE: RE: Ahtanum Youth Park Fees On the Way
( 03/29/2006 -
Park's New Owners Keep Same Hours, Fees )
03-01-2006 - Union Gap Takes Over Youth Park
Union Gap/Yakima, Washington --
Union Gap has agreed to save a local park from closing.
Monday night (2-27-06), the city council voted to take
over the operation of the Ahtanum Youth Activities Park.
Yakima County currently owns the park. But the county
says it doesn't have the money to keep up the facility.
All of the 74 acre park is located inside the Union Gap
city boundaries. The city says changing owners will be
a natural transition. It says it hopes to make the park
one of the best in the region.
Mayor Aubrey Reeves says he wants to start soccer,
horseshoe, and BMX bike racing tournaments at the park.
01-24-2006 - Union Gap (Yakima) wants more park info
UNION GAP (Yakima), Washington --
The fate of the Yakima County Youth Activities Park
remains uncertain following Monday's City Council meeting.
The City Council held a study session on the park issue prior
to its regular business meeting and then agreed it still needs
more information before deciding whether to take over
management of the 74-acre park from Yakima County.
The entire council agreed to direct Mayor Aubrey Reeves to
hammer out details for a final transfer agreement with the
county, but did not commit to take over the park. The final
agreement is expected to document specific details of the
real estate transfer as well as any underlying liabilities
and obligations to be assumed by the city, including existing
contracts with user groups.
The council will likely vote on the acquisition next month.
Faced with budget pressures, the county has cut back on
park funding in recent years and has previously turned over
two parks to other entities. In June, county commissioners
offered the Youth Activities Park on Ahtanum Road to Union Gap.
The county has budgeted to fund the park through June, at which time
it plans to close the park unless Union Gap decides to manage it.
According to a Union Gap committee report, the Youth Activities Park
is the most heavily used county park. The park offers a variety of
ball fields and buildings that are rented for large group events as
well as a BMX bicycle track, a ropes challenge course and an outdoor
equestrian arena.
01-11-2006 - 2006 Yakima Valley BMX Indoor Schedule
Yakima, Washington --
The 2006 Yakima Valley Indoor Schedule Via
http://www.yakimavalleybmx.com/schedule.html
February 11 Saturday 10-11am - Signup Single point race
February 12 Sunday 10-11am - Signup Single point race
February 25 Saturday 10-11am - Signup Sinlge point race
February 26 Sunday 10-11am - Signup Single point race
March 4 Saturday 10-11am - Signup Single point race
March 5 Sunday 10-11am - Signup Race For Life Double point race
March 11 Saturday 10-11am - SCR Double point race
March 12 Sunday 10-11am - Redline Cup Triple Point Race
12-22-2005 - Yakima Valley Indoor February - March 2006
Yakima, Washington --
News Clip Posted Via -
WaBMXnews
Yakima Valley Indoor Racing this winter, February - March,
up to Pasco Nationals Opening February 11-12 Weekend Racing
all weekends February & March up to the Pasco Nationals,
except one They will be closed for the P.I. SCR weekend,
February 18-19-20 2006
To Mike Bull and the Yakima Valley Indoor Race Crew
Thank you, we extend our appreciation for your support
...p.i. staff & management
07-27-2005 - Yakima's Walters takes fourth at World BMX Champ
Yakima, Washington -- CC - YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
ONTARIO, Calif. —
Austin Waters of Yakima, who honed his racing skills with
Yakima Valley BMX, finished fourth at last weekend's ABA
World BMX Championships in Ontario, Calif.
Racing in 100-plus degree temperatures, Waters had reached
the final in the Cruiser (24-inch wheel) class for riders ages
21 to 25. He had worked his way to second place on the final lap,
only to get boxed in on a turn and see two riders pass him,
dropping him to fourth.
In the Class (20-inch wheel) competition, Waters reached the
semifinals, from which the top three riders would advance to
the final. Waters finished fourth in the semi, just missing
another berth in the championship event.
07-20-2005 - A Yakima Valley BMX Race Report
Yakima, Washington --
News Clip Posted Via -
BMXtalk
I want to thank all the riders,parents, and spectators for
Columbia Basin BMX
and
Yakima Valley BMX successful and exciting weekend SCR's. Even the heat
couldn't hinder the youngest rider who at 31/2 was blazing around the track.
Also many thanks to the volunteers that made it possible. Everyone worked as
a team so many thanks to all of you.
Tonight the 19 th we had 2 new riders drive from
moses lake to sign up and
race. They are now new aba members. I gave them schedules to take to their
local bike shops or to hand out to anyone interested.
I also told them to check out
gobmx.com and the other tracks.
They are fast so maybe someday there will be some state champs from
moses lake. I never hear much about their track so i asked questions.
According to them there are potential riders wanting to race but no one
has stepped up to run the track. it is built and waiting to be handed
to someone. I can only imagine what that is like as most of us struggled
to get a track built. I havent seen the track but I intend to.
Mike Bull - YVBMX Yakima, Wa
03-16-2005 - Congratulations to Yakima Valley BMX race crew
Yakima, Washington --
News Clip Posted Via -
WaBMXnews
Congratulations to Mike Bull and the Yakima Valley BMX race crew...
They overcame a couple annoying difficulties and had a great RFL-SCR weekend...
Good Job, and they are due a BIG PAT ON THE BACK for a good show...
Mike Redman got rave reviews for the clinic he put on Saturday after the RFL race...
Mike always does a good job with his clinics and he did so in Yakima last Saturday afternoon...
02-24-2005 - Mike Redman cominig to Yakima Indoor
Yakima, Washington --
News Clip Posted Via -
WaBMXnews
Mike Redman is coming to the Northwest!
There will be a clinic to sharpen your skills
and prepare for the national in Pasco
Saturday March 12, 2005
Yakima Valley Indoor BMX in Yakima, WA
Clinic to be held after the RFL on Saturday
4 Hours of training, time approx. 3 pm – 7 pm
Saturday March 12 – RFL (single points)
Sunday March 13 – SCR (double points)
Signups: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 12pm
The clinic is $45.00us per rider, 40 rider max
Contact:
Mike Bull 509-949-1530 (Eastside)
Lorin Van Ogle 206-550-1304 (Westside)
01-27-2005 - Yakima Valley Indoor Announces 2005 Schedule
Yakima, Washington --
News Clip Posted Via -
WaBMXnews
Six weekends of bmx at the Yakima Valley Indoor....
February 12-13, 2005
February 19-20, 2005
February 26-27, 2005
with registration 10a.m. to 11a.m.
March 12, 2005 - RFL (single)
March 13, 2005 - SCR
with registration 10a.m. to 12 noon both days
March 26-27, 2005
April 2-3, 2005
with registration 10a.m. to 11a.m.
Race Fees:
single point races points class $15
double points $20; opens $5
Congratulations to Mike Bull and his crew in Yakima.......
After some concern about arranging an 05 winter schedule for Yakima,
they have reached a contract agreement with their landlord and will
be racing this winter.......
11-08-2004 - Yakima Valley Indoor BMX plans, but nothing is set
Yakima, Washington --
News Clip Posted Via -
WaBMXnews
Yakima Valley Indoor is discussing plans for running
this winter nothing is set yet, but hopes are high...
09-08-2004 - Council Not Ready to Commit to a Eastside Skatepark
Yakima, Washington --
Hope for a second skateboard park in Yakima took a spill Tuesday.
The Yakima City Council agreed that building another place
for local youth to skateboard, this time on the east side of town,
was a good idea. However, the council wasn't willing to commit
$25,000 from federal grant money to design such a park, because
the recommendation hasn't gone through the right process.
Council said it needed to get the approval of a citizens' committee
established in February and to consider the proposal in the context
of the entire budget. ~ For the Rest of the store see: (
MORE )
05-07-2004 - Yakima Locals Place Well in ABA U.S. Nationals
Yakima, Washington --
Yakima riders Austin Waters, 20, and Kody Brotherton, 11,
reached the finals of their respective events in last weekend's
American Bicycle Association BMX U.S. Nationals in Roseville, Calif.
In Saturday's racing, Waters placed sixth in Cruiser (24-inch wheels)
for ages 17-to-20 and also finished sixth in Class (20-inch wheels)
for ages 19-to-27. On Sunday, he placed fifth in Cruiser.
Brotherton, competing in the 11-year-old Expert Division,
placed sixth in Cruiser and fourth in Class on Saturday,
then came back with a fourth in Cruiser on Sunday.
Waters is training at a sponsor's facility in Medford, Ore.,
for another national race May 15-16 in Salt Lake City.
04-07-2004 - Last Ride for Lou's Bike shop
Lou's Columbia Cycle on Fruitvale Boulevard is closing
its doors this month after 15 years, bringing the number
of bike shops in Yakima to its lowest point in decades.
For the rest of the story see:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/GenesBMX/message/6120
03-15-2004 - Indoor BMX Report Double-Double Weekend
Yakima Valley Indoor BMX
A BIG Double-Double weekend
March 13, 2004 RFL-Double
March 14, 2004 SCR-Double
Here is the new website address for
Yakima BMX but under development
http://www.yakimavalleybmx.com
Yakima Valley Indoor BMX Lookin' Good over the weekend......
Friday night - 19 motos
Saturday Afternoon - RFL - 39 motos
Sunday - SCR - 250+ riders in 50 motos
T-shirt short sleeve weather, and really warm.....
Gorgeous day Sunday.... If you were there, you know;
if you weren't there, you missed a great bmx day, judged by any standard....
A good time was had by all, and the Yakima crew is to be
complimented on running an excellent program...
02-03-2004 - No Yakima Parking fees
Yakima, Washington -- Posted on
BMXtalk
It was made official today that there will be
no parking fees at the ahtanum youth park.
The commissioners made a comment that the concerns of YVBMX
and soccer persuaded them to make their decision for no fees.
It is worth standing up for what you believe in and voicing your opinion.
It can make all the difference.
Thank you for everyone's support. - Mike Bull YVBMX
Also -
No parking charge at youth park News Clip
From The Associated Press (AP) Digital Wire 02/04/2004
01-21-2004 - Compromise Cuts Planned Fee for Parking at Ahtanum Park
Yakima, Washington --
Yakima County commissioners likely will approve a modified
parking-fee proposal at Ahtanum Youth Park next week to
pay for parks the rest of this year.
But the $1 fee — which would take effect in May
— may be temporary. The plan, a compromise with
youth soccer and BMX supporters who criticized an
original proposed $3 fee, came up during a Tuesday hearing.
During Tuesday's talk, commissioners agreed to consider a
suggestion by the user groups that the county ask voters to
approve a parks district. Such a district, perhaps including
Union Gap and Yakima, could levy a property tax to support parks.
The county also plans to look for grants to help cover parks expenses.
Commissioners cut $100,000 from the 2004 county parks
budget to balance the county budget. A similar cut occurred
in the 2003 budget.
Parks Director Dave Veley proposed the $3 parking fee
to offset the revenue loss and pay for improvements to the
park on Ahta-num Road, west of Union Gap.
Yakima County's other park, Eschbach Park on
South Naches Road, has had a $3 parking fee for several years.
Commissioner Jesse Palacios said the park district proposal
has merit, especially with another initiative from Mukilteo
resident Tim Eyman looming on the horizon this year to
cut nonvoter-approved property tax levies by 25 percent.
Eyman's biggest success was Initiative 695,
which eliminated the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax in 1999.
"The best option is to put it out there to the public this
fall and continue to look for grants to get through the year,"
Palacios said.
Commissioners delayed action on the fee last month after the
soccer and BMX groups panned the idea as balancing the
budget on the backs of children.
Veley later met with the two groups and came up with the
proposal to reduce the parking fee. The compromise also
includes free passes for soccer and BMX track users and family members.
There's a kicker, though: The two groups must negotiate
a contract with the county that includes an increase in user
fees to cover the reduced parking fee.
The Yakima Youth Soccer Association paid $2,700 in 2003.
The Yakima Valley BMX Association will pay a user fee for
the first time this year. Both associations maintain the park
facilities they use.
Fees for renting park facilities, excluding picnic shelters,
also will be increased.
Yakima's Greg Stovall, a soccer parent, coach and association
board member, said Tuesday he remains unhappy over a fee,
the first in the state for youth groups to use a county park.
He said the county should look for other ways, including
a concessions stand, the park district, art shows
and other fund-raising ventures.
"I don't think you will generate the revenue you need at $1,"
he told commissioners. "You will be here next year because
you don't think outside the norm."
Mike Bull, a BMX supporter, told commissioners he wants
to look for grants to avoid charging youth to ride the track.
"We don't want to abandon the park. Give us a chance to
find money for grants," he said. "If there's money for Joe Morrier,
there should be money out there for kids."
He was referring to Morrier's proposal that he receive a
federal loan to build a hotel in his closed downtown Yakima Mall.
By DAVID LESTER YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
http://www.yakima-herald.com/?storyid=282124562462083
12-10-2003 - Charge a Fee? Critics Say Keep Parks Free
Yakima, Washington --
Plans to start charging parking fees at Ahtanum Youth Park are stalled
— at least for now.
Yakima County commissioners put off acting on a new fee
structure that includes first-ever parking fees at the popular
Ahtanum Road park after parents, coaches and BMX enthusiasts
criticized the plan at a hearing Tuesday. (
More )
12-09-2003 - Yakima park fee?
News Post Via -
BMXtalk
We at YVBMX went to the commissioners today for a hearing on their proposed
parking fee at our facility. So far they are not going to pass judgement
until march. we have been very vocal in opposition to this fee on radio TV
and newsprint. We are going to meet with soccer and the park to find a workable
solution to this problem. If this fee were to pass I know it would hurt our
recruiting efforts of new riders and bringing westsiders to our SCR. The soccer
association is looking at moving to another park. we could move too but
it wouldn't be as simple as for soccer. Wish us luck with our dilemma.
I'll keep everyone informed as soon as things develop.
Mike Bull - YVBMX
11-20-2003 - Yakima facing new challenges for next season
Yakima Parks an rec is losing 100-thousand dollars.
It wants to charge an entrance fee to the antahum youth park?
A news clip post and a Reply from Mike Bull. CC - WaBMXnews (
More )
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GenesBMX/message/5169
10-20-2003 - Yakima Indoor News Rumors
News Rumors and Tidbits Via -
WaBMXnews
Yakima Indoor, at last word, is still hopeful of
running in February and March as they did last winter...
05-20-2003 - Opening 2003 races Yakima Outdoor
May 17 and 18 races, Yakima had 18 motos both days.
Saturday was cloudy Sunday was sunshine. The track was in perfect shape.
We added 20 truck loads more dirt this year.
I hope everyone will enjoy our RFL SCR in June.
Mike YVBMX
04-08-2003 - 3 Locals Tops in BMX Nationals
A news clip via
Yakima Herald-Republic.— Sports News
PASCO — Austin Waters of Yakima placed fifth in two national-class,
expert-level events and three other locals — 7-year-old
Ryan Secondi of Ellensburg, 16-year-old Brandon Richards
of Yakima and adult Scott Woodworth of Yakima — each
earned firsts in their divisions during the first two days of the
BMX Great Northwest Nationals at the TRAC facility.
Sunday's final-day results were not available.
Waters, competing among the country's fastest BMX racers
in the 17-20 Cruiser and 19-27 Expert classes, finished fifth
in both classes during Saturday's national race after earning
a pair of seconds in Friday's "pre-race" competition.
Woodworth edged Larry Wood of Tieton for first in the
28-35 Novice class Saturday, after having earned a first
and a second on Friday. Secondi took firsts in the
7 Intermediate class on both days, and Richards won
the 16 Intermediate class on Friday. Brandon Lee and
Kody Brotherton, both of Yakima, turned in strong Expert
performances on Saturday.
TOP LOCAL PLACERS
By age group, Classification and Place
~~~ Friday's Pre-Race ~~~
9 Girls: 2, Candice Clark (Yakima).
13 Girls: 2, Bobbie Jo Gleason (Yakima).
15 girls: 3, Tosha Dovel (Yakima).
13 Cruiser: 3, Ryan Endicott (Ellensburg); 6, Dustin Miller (Yakima).
15 Cruiser: 2, Christopher Bull (Yakima); 4, Brandon Lee (Yakima).
17-20 Cruiser: 2, Austin Waters (Yakima); 6, Chris Brown (Yakima).
31-35 Cruiser: 1, Scott Woodworth (Yakima).
36-40 Cruiser: 4, Kent Brown (Yakima); 5, Jeffrey Huff (Yakima).
7 Intermediate: 1, Ryan Secondi (Ellensburg).
8 Expert: 6, Matthew Miller (Yakima).
9 Intermediate: 3, Alex Gonzalez (Yakima); 7, Frank Rowland (Selah).
10 Intermediate: 7, Jamie Hart (Yakima).
10 Expert: 7, Kody Brotherton (Yakima).
12 Expert: 6, Cameron Clark (Yakima).
15 Expert: 3, Brandon Lee (Yakima).
16 Intermediate: 1, Brandon Richards (Yakima).
19-27 Expert: 2, Austin Waters (Yakima).
28-&over Notice: 2, Scott Woodworth (Yakima).
~~~ Saturday's National #1 ~~~
9-10 Open: 7, Kody Brotherton (Yakima).
9 Girls: 6, Candice Clark (Yakima).
13 Girls: 7, Bobbie Jo Gleason (Yakima).
15 Cruiser: 7, Brandon Lee (Yakima).
17-20 Cruiser: 5, Austin Waters (Yakima).
41-45 Cruiser: 8, Tim Irvine (Yakima).
7 Intermediate: 1, Ryan Secondi (Ellensburg).
8 Intermediate: 5, Zane Irvine (Yakima).
9 Intermediate: 7, Frank Rowland (Selah).
10 Intermediate: 4, Jamie Hart (Yakima).
10 Expert: 3, Kody Brotherton (Yakima).
12 Intermediate: 8, Andrew Evans (Tieton).
19-27 Novice: 6, Alan Shepherd (Yakima).
19-27 Expert: 5, Austin Waters (Yakima).
28-35 Novice: 1, Scott Woodworth (Yakima); 2, Larry Wood (Tieton).
04-04-2003 - Waters Rising Close to the Top
Yakima ,Washington --
To 19-year-old Austin Waters of Yakima, the cover photograph on the March edition
of BMXer Magazine is like a tease: You're THIS close to getting to the top ...
"That's Eric Meyer," he says, pointing to the rider leading the pack in the photo.
"Eric Meyer is the top dog, pretty much, right now in our class. That's Joey Backus.
That's Zack Bean."
On the national BMX amateur circuit, those are elite riders.
"Usually," Waters says, "I'm right up there with them."
The plate on the front of Meyer's bicycle is gray-and-white, indicating it's
a National Age Group (NAG) plate, and bears the number "1." That means the
Seattle teen leads the nation in his age group, and will be one of the favorites
at this weekend's Great Northwest Nationals at the TRAC Arena in Pasco. (
More )
04-03-2003 - Several Locals at BMX Nationals
A news clip via
Yakima Herald-Republic.— Scott Sandsberry
Austin Waters won't be the only top Yakima-area rider competing in
this weekend's Great Northwest Nationals, Friday through Sunday in Pasco.
Nor is he the only one knocking on the door of BMX's top levels.
Chris Bull of Yakima, 15, competes for the same cycling team as Waters does,
a team sponsored by a Lake Stevens bicycle shop, and has been coming on strong
in the 15 Expert and 15 Cruiser divisions on the state and national circuits.
Bull's younger brother Matt, 14, is doing well on the state level,
as are 10-year-old Kody Brotherton of Yakima, 13-year-old
Bobbie Jo Gleason and 8-year-old Allison Schuler.
Those racers will comprise only a tiny portion of what figures to
be a sizeable Valley contingent this weekend at TRAC, which will
be huge by local standards. At Yakima Valley BMX's recent
state-qualifying races in Selah, the association's biggest event of the year,
they had 62 motos (race heats) on the final day of racing.
The Great Northwest Nationals, with an expected 2,000 riders,
will have about 200 motos each day.
Competition begins at 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.
Admission is free for spectators, and TRAC charges no parking fee for the event.
07-21-2002 - Yakima Valley BMX SRC doin' it RIGHT
Yakima, Washington
Yakima Valley BMX
July 19th - 21st , 2002
News Clip Posted on
WaBMXnews
Sunday July 21, SCR double points day in Yakima. Totally good looking facility,
very efficiently laid out, excellent registration location, good looking staging
layout, beautiful track. Track rebuild this year is super, and the riders were very
impressed with how smooth the track surface was. Compliments were coming from all
corners, from riders and parents visiting the track. The Yakima crew had a mist rack
set up for people that might feel too warm, and provided a way of cooling off in the
warm temperatures. The rack was well over six feet tall, and plenty large enough for
several people to stand in and around while the spray bathed you in a fine mist. Most
refreshing, and obviously a lot of fun for many of the younger racers. SCR reportedly
had about 57-58 motos and good rider count....
A good show was under way as I got hungry and left to see if Miner's Drive In was
still operating on Main Street...A visit to Yakima is not complete for me without
a stop at Miner's Drive In, a land mark on Main Street for a lifetime. Excellent
burgers cooked fresh with no pre-cooking; no microwave or steam reheating. Good food
still; after many years. Miner's is a short couple of blocks down Main street from
the intersection of Main and Valley Mall Blvd, the one most of you drove through to
get to the track. As I drove away from Miner's the time and temperature sign showed
96 degrees at about 1pm Sunday afternoon. Yakima being Yakima in July, it was absolutely great..
03-21-2002 -
BMX RACING--Riding on Common Ground
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
03-21-2002 - BMX RACING--Riders Flocking to Pasco for National Event
A news clip via
Yakima Herald-Republic.— Scott Sandsberry
PASCO — For BMX racers and enthusiasts, this weekend's Great Northwest
Nationals event is a memorable occasion. It's the only national BMX race
held annually in the Northwest, but this year marks the first time it has
been scheduled on this side of the Cascades.
The event at TRAC (Trade, Recreation & Agricultural Center) will feature
experienced pros like Mark Melton of Illinois and Jan Baltzersen,
a Dane now living in Southern California, plus up-and-comers like
16-year-old rookie sensation Bubba Harris of Kent-based Redline Bicycle.
The field figures to include top Central Washington amateurs like 43-year-old
Janet Rindal of Walla Walla, a two-time national champion, and reigning
age-group state champs like 12-year-old Bobbie Jo Gleason of Yakima and
10-year-old Zach Wanderscheid of Goldendale.
They will be part of a field of more than 500 amateur racers competing in
various age-group classes. For most, this weekend primarily means a chance
at seeing how they stack up against the sport's best.
"There are groups of riders that do nothing but race at nationals and
very big, big races," says Scott Woodworth, 33, a regular in the
Yakima Valley BMX (YVBMX) races who first began competing as a 10-year-old.
"So we'll get the top riders from the nation. It's going to be huge."
And potentially nerve-wracking for relative newcomers like Tosha Dovel,
a 14-year-old West Valley freshman who began BMX racing less than two years ago
and could find herself in against veterans of a decade of racing.
"I'm really nervous for it, but I'm really excited to see how I'm going to do,"
she says. "If I even keep up with them, then I know I'm doing OK and I'll be happy."
Like any of the local events held at Autanum Youth Park in the summer or at
Selah's Canyon Stables in the winter, the TRAC nationals are sanctioned by the
American Bicycle Association and follow the same rules.
"The difference is you may have 30 to 40 racers in your age group (at TRAC),
and here (in YVBMX races) you may have anywhere from four to seven,"
says Mike Bull, YVBMX president.
"There's people flying in from all over the United States,
and they're looking for national age-group points."
IF YOU GO
What: Great Northwest Nationals BMX
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: TRAC complex in Pasco
Admission: Free to spectators.
(Participants' entry fees range from $25-$45 for amateurs to more than $100 for pros.)
Directions: Follow I-82 and then I-182 to Pasco. Take Exit 9 (Road 68),
then go north from the off-ramp to Burden Boulevard.
CC -
BMX RACING--Riders Flocking to Pasco for National Event
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
11-10-2001 - Yakima Doin' It Right
posted by Mike Raich
- WaBMXnews
GoBMX
***** Yakima Valley Indoor, Selah, Washington *****
Not being able to stand a Saturday evening without a bmx race, I took a drive
Saturday evening to visit the Yakima Valley Indoor. Dan Clark and crew are doing
it right, doing a great job. I was envious of their dirt, it looks really good for
building and packing. The track looked good; solid, well packed due to good dirt.
The track was also wide, which is a big plus whenever it can be done. Good looking
gate system. Most competent announcer, a very good young lady sounding great and had
a lot of enthusiasm, made all the motos sound hotly contested. Racing weekly on Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday they are providing the most complete winter race scheduling ever
in Washington. Congratulations to Dan and crew on a job well done.
Not knowing where the place was, I printed out the directions from their website,
and took off. It was dark by the time I got there and as I left the freeway
I was concerned about finding the place. The instructions made it appear that
the arena was just about two miles from the freeway. What I found was that once
you exit the freeway, you turn right and simply follow the road for about 1.3 miles
and the arena loams up at you on the right side of the road. CAN'T MISS IT.
One of the easiest BMX tracks I ever looked for, to find. Website instructions are right on.
Registration is 4:00-5:00pm on Saturday, and the flag lap was underway by 5:30.
They are doing it right in Yakima. The seating area is huge for a small arena.
Three rows of space available down one whole side of the arena. Most small arenas
hurt for seating, as does Peninsula, but not the Selah arena, seating is excellent there.
They didn't appear to have any Westside riders Saturday night,but had a couple on Friday night.
They were expecting a group of Richland area riders for Sundays racing.
***********************************************
11-12-2001
A footnote on my earlier comments about traveling to Yakima Valley BMX in Selah...
it has been reported to me that Yakima is posting their race results on their webpage,
so if you wish to check them out go to
http://www.yakimavalleybmx.org
I haven't been on Washington's highways much of late, except for the routes between
Seattle and Sumner to get to River Valley BMX, and from Seattle to Port Orchard to
get to SK BMX and Peninsula Indoor BMX. Those two routes are polluted with traffic
and travel at breakneck speeds of 0 to 45, sometimes a little more,
during the hours I need to be on the highways, byways, and expressways.
on my little excursion to Yakima, I found that 80mph was not enough speed to keep up
with traffic. Traffic was light on I-90, the slow people were doing 75-85 most of
the way from Issaquah to Yakima, and were up to 70+ between Bellevue and Issaquah.
80 didn't pass anyone, but I did get passed at that speed by SUV's galore, 4X4 trucks,
a couple of 'vettes went by so fast I had tolook twice to be sure they were corvettes,
and some 18 wheelers passed me also. I haven't been on I-90 in a while, and haven't
driven that fast outside the state of California in years, nor driven that fast that
long in a long, long time; and I got home with a feeling that I need to travel there
more, it was a fun trip without the WSP vehicles messing with anyone....
10-18-2001 -
BMX Riders Looking for Place to Ride
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
07-08-2001 -
BMX -- The Race Is Not Always to the Swift
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
08-14-1999 -
BMX Speed Demons Thrive on Thrill of Racing
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
04-13-1999 -
BMX Bikers Take to 'Phat Air' at New Track
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
03-23-1999 -
Spring Break Class Aims to Make Yakima Kids Safer on Bikes
News clip posted on Yakima Herald Republic Archives
http://www.genesbmx.com/YakimaBMX.html
Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
***** Gene`s BMX *****
All Things Northwest in BMX! (
AP )
http://www.genesbmx.com