Motocross the original extreme sport is now a victim of environmental bureaucracy aka “THE DUST PATROL.” Motocross, within the Las Vegas Valley, is a dying sport. Easy prey for those who have deeper pockets, bigger agendas and more “who’s who’s” in higher places, in a boomtown like Vegas, there’s just no room for activities like motocross anymore. With the recent shut down of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s MX facility dirt bike riders have been forced to travel out of town to ride closed courses.

The popularity of dirt bikes is at an all time high. Surpassing even the boom of the 1970’s, which was a time when locals could ride from their backyards into the desert to enjoy the sport they loved. Nowdays, its illegal to ride a dirt bike within the Las Vegas valley. Why? Well it seems they cause way too much dust.

We can all see the houses, freeways, and strip malls blanketing those areas we once enjoyed on our dirt bikes. Where there was once our favorite track, golf courses now occupy the land. I wonder how golfers would respond to their favorite “tracks” being shut down because they take up to much water? Local and Federal officials seem to have forgotten about providing areas where motocross enthusiasts can go to enjoy riding without being harassed or ticketed for unlawful activity, or even acknowledge the need to provide for citizens that enjoy this type of recreation.

That’s where Kit Stokes and Clark Abercassis from SVMX (Sandy Valley Motocross) come in. Until local officials address this issue, you can ride at SVMX. SVMX opened recently to fill the void in the Las Vegas valley. With years of experience racing national amateur events and a love for the sport, these Las Vegas locals worked very hard to find a place where they could build a track. Their combined experience in construction has helped to make SVMX a premier riding experience for Southern Nevadans.

Sadly, even SVMX has been hassled for the dust issue. It seems that the Sandy Valley airport has a problem with the dust at night under the bright lights that shine on the track. SVMX has cooperated with airport officials and shifted riding activities to day light hours on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The facility has both a main track and, to accommodate the mini bike riders, an all new “50” track.

The mini bike scene has exploded recently leading the industry in dirt bike sales for Honda, the maker of the CRF50, the bike of choice among “pit bike” enthusiasts. So popular that in fact there are two magazines that support the “mini moto” scene. This popularity has spawned mini bike races worldwide. National events like the AMA Supercross Series, Outdoor National Series, and even Freestyle MX has included events that promote these mini bike races or mini freestyle ramp exhibitions. Mini bikes, or “pit bikes” are so popular because they are so easy and fun to ride. Originally made for kids, these 50cc stock mini’s are modified with bigger handle bars and stiffer suspension to accommodate bigger adult riders, and obviously weigh less than the big bikes. These modifications are not cheap. Most people will spend several hundred dollars to get their mini “dialed” in.

This fall SVMX is promoting the US Open Mini GP, coming to Sandy Valley October 8-9, 2004. This event takes place during the AMA US Open at the MGM Grand. Though not affiliated with the MGM event, the action at the Mini GP takes place during the day, whereas the AMA event takes place in the evening. Expect to see great bar to bar racing as riders challenge themselves and each other on the newly designed SVMX track.

Classes for all ages and abilities are available for the Mini GP, including Pro Modified 50’s. In addition to the mini bike classes there will be 125 and 250 Open Amateur and Pro classes. Registration and information for this event is available at USOPENMINIGP.COM. Come be a part of the 1st annual US Open Mini GP.