By By Matthew Nascone
The last race of the summer season was almost washed out July 15-16 at the Atmore Motocross Track. The heavy downpours on Sunday lasted 20 minutes and left the track a muddy mess, but the riders pushed on and finished the day's races.
"It was a different kind of race and everyone loved it," track owner Shane Hadley said. "We even had some of the smaller bikes get stuck."
Race promoter Steve Hicks shared Hadley's sentiments.
"The afternoon showers were welcome," Hicks said.
The weekend was the final tune-up for the 168 racers before the National Motocross Competitions begin in Ponca City, Okla. at the NMA Grand Motocross National Championship July 23, according to Hicks.
The AMA Youth and Amateur Nationals will be held July 31 at the Lorretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Hills, Tenn. Several riders who frequent the Atmore track will be on hand at these events.
Patrick Lods of Mobile, Bruce Alan Bender of Irvington, Cody Lods of Saraland, Cooper Wilson of Mobile and two-time Alabama state champion Jared Hicks of Irvington will make the trek to Ponca City. Zak Mixon of Satsuma and Kenan Sanders of Plantersville travel to Hurricane Hills at the end of the month.
Hadley said the action July 15-16 went smoothly and it was a lot of fun. The fun included a Loretta Lynn style