BMX races appeal to young and old kids

More than 100 kids — in age or at heart — traveled in waves around the Pikes Peak BMX track Sunday. The constant flow of bikes never waned. Neither did the enthusiasm.

As results of one race echoed over the loud speaker, riders in the next race sped down the bumpy path, their brightly colored uniforms a glaring contrast to the dull dirt track.

The day at the races was fierce competition for some, a chance to test a new layout at a state championship qualifier. For others, it was a day with the family.

PJ DiPentino, the track’s designer and builder, has four children who compete in BMX. The kids — ages 4, 6, 13 and 18 — might not have a lot in common. But they do have their bikes.

“It’s a family affair,” DiPentino said. “When you can get your 18-year-old to bond with your 6-year-old, it’s a major accomplishment.”

“It’s a solo sport, but it’s very family-oriented,” he added. “It teaches you that you don’t win every race. You have to lose before you learn to win.”

There were 31 winners Sunday among the 122 riders — ranging in age from 5 to 52 — who competed in 31 separate motos at the track’s grand opening. There were many more who took a step in qualifying for the state championships — riders must advance to the main race in three of nine qualifying events to earn a spot in next month’s state championships.

“This has been the best turnout for a state qualifier,” said Charlie Mandry, track director and operator. “It’s an organized event. It’s not a free-for-all. Now that people have been here, they’ll want to come back.”

Rocky Mountain Racing, the 16-member team that has been racing for six months, had the most success. It won the team competition and had several riders qualify for the state championships.

But most of the talk Sunday was reserved for the track, a replica of the one to be used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“It’s really lippy and fun,” said Cody Kautz, who won the 14 intermediate division. “You can jump a lot of stuff.”

Kautz, who won four national events last year, said he is eager to see BMX expand in popularity.

“Usually in BMX, you get really big and no one knows about it,” he said. “But once it hits the Olympics, the city is going to get into it.”

Mandry said the track will conduct clinics and seminars starting next month, with riders teaching riders.

“The beauty of the sport is everybody helps each other,” he said.