Motocross races into Plains

The arena motocross event at Sanders County Fairgrounds last weekend was a big success, according to Jamie Larsen, who ran the two-day competition with her husband, Tyler.

The Top Dawg Arena Cross competition drew more than 250 spectators on Friday and some 400 were in the stands Saturday evening, attracting over 60 racers each day. The competitors included 17 racers from Trout Creek, Thompson Falls and Plains, ranging from 6-year-old Gavin Gamboa to 39-year-old Anthony Young, both of Plains. Other competitors came from as far away as Spokane and Bozeman to participate in the first motocross event in Plains in over 10 years.

"This was a 100% success," said Larsen, who is already planning their next race, and though they haven't selected a date or place, she's certain they'll now get more participants from Sanders County.

Top Dawg Arena Cross is a new endeavor for the Kalispell couple, who ran their first motocross race in Kalispell in June with about 100 racers. They would like to hold additional motocross competitions in Plains and are scheduled to meet with the Sanders County Fair Commission in October to discuss having a longer race track on the grounds, similar to what Plains resident Ron Warren operated, as well as more arena racing. Larsen said she'd like to meet with Warren to talk about a future track.

It took two days last week for the Larsens' crew to convert the fairgrounds main arena into a motocross track, complete with a 60-foot long 12-foot high mound and seven other jumps. The competition ran for just over three hours Friday and Saturday evening with practice sessions for the competitors in the afternoon. Heavy rains on Saturday made the track slipperier and harder to manage and although no one was hurt, there were a lot more tumbles on Saturday after the dirt turned to mud.

Larsen said they had a lot of first time racers last weekend. Friday was the first race for Josiah Nestor, 7, who nabbed first place in the Pee Wee Class both days and 6th place on Saturday in the 50cc Open Class. Nestor's father, Geoff, had to give the boy's 2003 bike, possibly the oldest at the meet, a push off the starting line on Saturday due to the heavy mud.

It was also the first time to compete for Will Tatum, 15, and brother, Greg Tatum, 12, and Young, all of Plains. Young finished first in the Working Moms and Dads Class on Saturday, followed in second place by Calvin Kinney of Plains. Greg Tatum took 7th in the 85 Class and in the 250 Beginner Class. Will finished 8th of 11 contestants, the largest class of the weekend.

For the 34-year-old Kinney, the weekend races were a family affair with his three boys also competing. On Friday, he took fifth in the 30-plus B/C Class. His oldest son, Gabe Howell, 18, didn't compete on Friday, but took fourth in the 250 Beginner Class the next day. His 8-year-old son, Bridger Kinney, claimed 4th in the 65 Open Class on Friday, 4th in 65 Beginner Class, and on Saturday he took 4th in the 65 Open Class and 5th in the 65 Beginner Class, while his brother, Terry Kinney, 9, finished 3rd in the 65 Beginner Class, 3rd in the Open Class the first day, 3rd in the Open and 4th in the Beginner Class.

The Kinney family started racing only a year ago, but have done a dozen races this year alone in Montana, Idaho and Washington. Kinney and Terry plan to compete on a team in the P.R.O. Top Gun MXTeam Shootout in Washington on Labor Day weekend. Kinney said he loved the competition in Plains and hopes Top Dawg Arena Cross will host additional races at Plains. "Everyone I talked to loved it here," said Kinney. "They were all jazzed up afterwards with big smiles," he added.

Last weekend was also a family function for the Sturdivants of Plains. Nine-year-old Levi Sturdivant claimed first place victories both days in the 65 Open and 3rd in the 65 Class. John Sturdivant, 17, competing in the 250 Beginner Class, finished 3rd place on Friday, 2nd place 250 Open Beginner Class and 1st in 250 Beginner Class Saturday. It's the first year for competing on a motocross track for Willow Sturdivant, 20, who competed in the Women's Class, taking 3rd place on Friday and 5th the next day.

Plains resident Ryan Ovitt nabbed fifth place in the 250 Junior Class on Friday and fifth in the 250 Open Junior Class. On Saturday, Ovitt, who's been competing for two years, nabbed 4th place in both classes. Six-year-old Gavin Gamboa of Plains took fourth in the 50 Open Class on both days.

James Morrison, who's been competing for seven years, raced only Friday in the 250 Junior Class. The 17-year-old Plains resident finished 3rd place in his class. Thompson Falls resident Louis Vanicek took 4th in the 250 Beginner Class Friday and 3rd in the same class Saturday. Also on Saturday, 20-year-old Owen Fisher of Trout Creek finished fourth in the Open Beginner Class. In the same class, Dane Chojnacky, 18, also of Trout Creek, took fifth place in the Open Beginner Class. Plains resident Devin Barnes finished ninth in the 250 Beginner Class Saturday.

The event featured 18 different classes, including two professional ones. Larsen said the professionals put on the biggest show, go the fastest speeds, reach the highest heights, and "bring a higher skill level" to the track. The pro class contestants always went first and were allowed to take a "site lap" just prior to lining up at the starting line.

The Larsens are also a family of moto competitors. Tyler used to compete in Plains when Warren ran the event and took the Montana championship in 2002. He participates in an average of 15 races a year in the Vet 30 B/C class. His grandfather raced until age 83. Their son, Ryder, 12, took second place both nights in the 85 Class and Supermini Class.

Jamie Larsen said they'd like to host another arena competition next year, but in July. She believes the number of racers and spectators would increase. "The local energy and love for the sport matches ours as promoters," said Larsen.