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Hundreds of BMX Racers to Hit the Dirt

By Lance Kettering, Executive Director, Springfield Sports Commission on Sep. 22, 2015

BMX Rider

Putting on the brakes isn’t something 66-year-old Ray Schnick is planning any time soon. After BMX racing for the past 30 years, he will be among the competitors at the USA BMX Gold Cup Central Sept. 25-27 at Springfield-Greene County Park Board’s Spokes BMX, 2550 W. Bennett St.

So will his son, David Schnick, 43. And so will his grandsons, Vance Mullins, 12, and Bradlee Mullins, 7.

Ray Schnick says the kids think it’s “cool” to hang out with dad and grandpa at the track two nights a week. And grandpa enjoys the interaction and family time.

“It’s just very family oriented,” Ray Schnick said. “The thing I like about BMX is nobody sits the bench. They win on their own. They lose on their own. Everybody gets to participate.”

Tony Brasier with Spokes BMX said this is one of many families that will participate in the races. He expects, in fact, up to 800 racers from 20 states along with their families to attend.

Activities begin with practices at 11:30 a.m. and the first race at 5 p.m. Sept. 25. On Sept. 26, practice begins at 8 a.m. with races from noon-5 p.m. The final race begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 27 with awards and Gold Cup Numbers presented at 1 p.m.

The event is open to spectators with event passes available for $25 or day passes for $10.

For more information, visit www.usabmx.com/site/sections/2 or www.usabmx.com/site/bmx_races/256531. Or call Spokes BMX at 417-831-6060.

USA BMX selected Springfield for the Gold Cup thanks to collaborative efforts of the Springfield Sports Commission, Spokes BMX and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

"Through our partnership with Spokes BMX and the Springfield Park Board, an event like this helps grow this emerging sport locally and regionally while adding awareness to the sporting opportunities it provides,” said Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission.

This is one of many sports events brought to Springfield through the efforts of the Springfield Sports Commission and the Convention & Visitors Bureau, nonprofit organizations working to improve the local economy through growth in travel and tourism. For more information, call 417-881-5300.