DeSoto to host BMX National Championship

by Brian Allen of Best Southwest Citizen

DeSoto’s Metroplex BMX is the first covered facility built exclusively for BMX racing in the nation. The facility has hosted national BMX races since 1999, but March 27-30 the eyes of the cycling nation and world will be transfixed on DeSoto. That weekend the 2006 All-America City hosts the Super National/USA Cycling National.

BMX has been added as an Olympic event in 2008, greatly increasing the sport’s public profile.

This event in DeSoto is the only direct automatic qualifier for Challenge Class riders to earn a spot on the U.S. National Team for the 2008 UCI BMX World Challenge in Tiayuan, China, May 27th through June 1st. So the road to the Olympics goes straight through DeSoto.

“We’re extremely excited to have been selected to host the USA Cycling BMX National Championship and we are happy that ABA has rescheduled their Super Nationals to take place on the same weekend,” said Gary Elmore, event organizer and race director for Metroplex BMX. “Our facility was specifically designed to host top-level national events and none reach the level of prestige that the Super National/USA Cycling National Championship will bring. We are very pleased to have been given the opportunity to host world class racers of all ages and abilities.”

To see the U.S. qualifiers in the newest Olympic sport compete, Metroplex BMX invites you to Grimes Park, 501 E. Wintergreen Road. Admission to all races is free, but there is a fee for parking. For more information, call Gary Elmore at 817-714-8094 or go to the Metroplex BMX site.

About Metroplex BMX

Metroplex BMX is one of the nation’s fastest growing BMX racing organizations. A non-profit organization estabilished in 1995, Metroplex BMX is fully sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association (ABA). Metroplex BMX offers year-round racing in all ABA categories. The facility plays host to a busy schedule of local, district, state and national races.