URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Shortly, the roar of motorcycle engines will echo through Champaign County as the fair introduces motocross for the first time on Thursday.
The event will feature 100 to 150 racers trying to race around a track complete with jumps, ramps and other obstacles.
“We have probably a total of 14 to 16 jumps. Some of the larger ones they’ll be jumping over, referred to as doubles and singles,” stated Chad Dalton, owner of B52 Motocross Hanger in Rantoul and the track designer for the county fair. “From this jump here, they’ll be 25 to 30 feet in the air, reaching speeds of about 50 miles per hour on that straight.”
The fair’s board director, Terry Lemke, mentioned that they considered bringing the track to the fair last year and ultimately decided to adapt to the evolving times.
“It’s growing in this area a little bit more, a lot more kids are more involved now with it than in the past,” Lemke said. “We’re hoping that we get a crowd full out here and have a bunch of riders and put on a heck of a show for everybody.”
The construction process costed $25,000 and took two and a half days to complete.
Lemke hopes people enjoy the show and that kids in the area feel inspired to try the sport.
“Get out, have a good time, spend their parents’ money and buy a new motorcycle,” Lemke said.
He said the race will definitely return next year, and that he hopes to bring other motocross events to the Champaign-Urbana area year-round.
