Sierra OTMC...Racing Keeps Them Young!

Motorcycle clubs are the heart and soul of dirt bike riding in the US. Many historical races were started by and continue to be organized by motorcycle clubs. Hangtown, PCGP and The Sierra Classic MX are races all run by clubs. There are many different reasons to join a motorcycle club. Here are some reasons to consider one Northern California club.

The SOTMC of which I’m a proud member had their last meeting of the year to talk about what was accomplished this year and the very ambitious plans for 2015. For those who don’t know about the SOTMC we are an organization geared to the forty plus rider and have riders and classes from forty to the eighties. We are part of an international organization that puts on International Moto Cross events around the western US. The tracks are groomed but still challenging to accommodate us older riders even though we race at some of the more famous national tracks like Washougal, Hangtown and Glen Helen.

Because of the makeup of the riders (no one’s trying to be the next big thing) it makes for a very laid back two days of racing. That’s right two days. For most of us it’s a practice and two motos each day or about forty five minutes of track time per day. Some classes have three motos on Saturday. You can go as slow or as fast as you’re cable of, that’s part of the appeal you ride with your peers and get to experience the tracks and the camaraderie and not have to worry about some kid jumping on or over you.  SOTMC put on six ride days and one race at Prairie City this year. Each international club holds one race a year, so each become very special. The 2015 plan for our club is to hold twelve ride days next year with the first six before our race in June.  Our ride days will be held at either the MMX sand track in Marysville  or at the Prairie City National Track. The ride days at MMX feature a BBQ lunch and raffle. Next year there will be Friday ride days at Prairie City, Saturday’s and maybe a Sunday or two at MMX. The club has become very well known for fun but challenging well prepped tracks, BBQ’s and our raffle. No BBQ’s or raffle at the Prairie City ride days because of the increase in track fees to ride on the national track.

Our membership increased substantially this year with the increased awareness of our club, the fun ride days and our international race, The Sierra Classic held on the Prairie City National Track. The Prairie City ride days will be for members only. We offer memberships to the thirty plus rider and do have support classes at our race for those riders under forty. The ride days offer a perfect place to practice and improve your riding skills.  Practicing on a MX course helps increase sprint speed, stamina, corning speeds and carrying speed through whoop sections to name a few. It doesn’t matter if you normally ride just trails or enduros and cross country, practicing on a MX course can help improve your riding. So why not try it on a ride day where you can ride with your peers and not get run over or least only get run over by someone near your own age.

Look for the information on ride days and The Sierra Classic soon on this web site www.sierraotmc.com

Hope to see you on the track.

Doug 21J