The 麻豆社国产BMX Racing Club (SBRC) track at Brennan Park was a hub for local and out-of-town riders earning qualifying points for the Provincial Championships on Saturday (June 7).About 40 kids and adults of all skill levels ripped through 14 motos amidst strong winds kicking up the odd dust tornado. The SBRC's first ever provincial qualifier and sole double-points race of the season attracted racers from as far as Kelowna, Vernon and Westbank, most of whom hadn't yet visited the newest course on the American Bicycle Association (ABA) circuit."The track is really good," said Vernon BMX executive member Gail Swales. "There are lots of technical and lots of good turns."The SBRC's second race of the season attracted more riders than last month's single-pointer and more supporters came out to cheer them on. Whether it was watching experienced 36-40 Cruiser category rider Chad Hendren pump berms and fly over jumps to first place or four-year-old Jackson Goldstone zip around Fred Flintstone-style without pedals, the crowd didn't miss any of the action. Goldstone wasn't shy in playing up to the crowd. Whenever he approached the finish line he stood up with his bike and cheerfully pulled off a 360 spin before hopping back on and rolling down the last hill. SBRC president Jim Douglas pointed out that track races allow for more interaction between supporters and competitors than most other bike races. "I'm ecstatic - every one of these is so exciting," said Douglas. "When you come from a mountain biking background there are a lot of great events that just aren't spectator friendly, so to have one where it's so youthful and spectator friendly you can't ask for more."The SBRC is attracting more kids who want to take up cycling as a central competitive sport. Vicky Jutras said BMX racing complements her two sons' love of mountain biking and allows them to meet other young athletes with similar interests."Anything on two wheels, we're doing it," she said. "I feel like my kids are the only ones not doing soccer in this town, but biking is definitely their interest."Jutras's son Brendon Murray, 10, placed first in the 12 Novice category in front of Squamish's Michael Kilby and Steven Deroo of Langley.Meanwhile, local Shane Aseltine won the 31-35 Cruiser category and Kasper Woolley beat out his 9 Novice competitors. Logan O'Sullivan won the 5 & Under Novice category, Liam Hudson won the 6 Novice category and Logan Jones won the 7 Novice category.For complete results see the scoreboard page. The next race is a single-pointer on Sunday (June 14).
