The Trackside Motocross Association is open for its members to ride and to practice, but it won’t be holding races for a while yet.
President Bryce Friess said the facility is for local riders only. They want to prevent people from making unnecessary trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re trying to remind people just to ride easy. We don’t want to plug any hospitals up with injuries (from overaggressive riding),” said track president Bryce Friess.
Local racers are those from Estevan and the neighbouring communities. Trackside is part of the South Corner Racing Circuit, which also includes sites in Alameda, Carlyle and Weyburn, but the association is asking riders from those communities to ride at home.
Friess believes up to 10 riders have been using the facility on a good night.
“Everybody works on different schedules with their timing of when they go out there,” he said.
It means that the facility has been able to meet social distancing requirements for the riders who are out there to practice or to get a good ride in. The track is long and winding, and their grounds are also large.
“We have a big pit area, and we encourage everybody to stay that two metres apart,” he said.
Riders are pleased to have a site where they can still ride their bikes and appreciate the facility, which is in good shape.
“The winter wasn’t too hard on it, and all of the jumps are still in good condition. We just could use a little bit of rain here to make the soil a little nicer, but it will come in time.”
The South Corner Racing Circuit (SCRC) has delayed the start of its season. The first programs was scheduled to happen in early May in Alameda, and Estevan was supposed to have its first race of the season May 23, but those were postponed. Trackside is in talks with the SCRC about the race.
Another program is scheduled to happen in Estevan Aug. 15, and Friess is hopeful that it will be able to proceed.
Not only does the association have to wait and see how restrictions on public gatherings play out, they have to get the blessing of their insurance company to have races again.
“Without insurance, I don’t want to hold a race,” said Friess.
If a local member wants to use the track facility, they are asked to contact Friess to make an arrangement.
