Racers practice for first race at motocross track in Old Appleton

With their engines roaring, racers sped over hills and around corners making their way around the new Sky High Motocross Track on Saturday in Old Appleton.

"It's a constant adrenaline rush," said rider Aaron Gulley, 22, who drove from Jonesburg in central Missouri to take part in the track's inaugural event.

He was one of more than 120 racers who practiced at the track Saturday. Races will begin today immediately following another round of practice at 8 a.m.

The track's developer, Larry Hull, got interested in building a motocross track after his grandchildren got involved in the sport.

Hull, who owns Hull Trucking in Old Appleton, got his three grandchildren motocross bikes for Christmas a few years ago and started taking them to other tracks around the Midwest to ride and compete.

"We wanted to do something for the community and something for the children especially," Hull said.

Motocross attracts riders ages 7 to 70, with many children starting to ride tiny motor bikes as early as age 4, he said.

What is now Sky High Motocross Track started as a soybean field.

The track's designers knew the site was ideal for the project.

"The minute I looked at it, I said you've got a masterpiece here," said Chris Blankenship of Dirt Wurx USA, a New York-based motocross track design and construction company.

While most motocross tracks are flat, at Hull's property they were able to make the most of the terrain's hills, valleys and ponds, Blankenship said.

Blankenship and two other Dirt Wurx employees are on hand this weekend helping Hull and his staff for with their first event.

Blankenship, a former professional motocross contestant, said Hull had a vision of creating the top motocross track in the region and he gave the designers the freedom to be creative.

The mile-long track varies in elevation 30 to 40 feet and has steep jumps and challenging turns. It is designed for amateur riders.

There are a dozen flagging stations where staff are perched above the track to monitor riders and watch for wrecks. Two paramedics are also on site when the track is in use, Hull said.

"We want it to be fun but also safe," Hull said.

He has also developed the area around the track as well to include an announcers tower, several sets of bleachers for spectators along the track, a concession stand, parking and camping areas.

Not counting the 100-acre site, which he already owned, or his own labor on the project, Hull said he invested $150,000 in the track. He said he hopes it will benefit the community by attracting both local spectators and riders from many miles away.

Damon Dillard of Old Appleton brought his children to watch the motocross practice Saturday.

"There's a lot of people around here who like bikes," Dillard said. "It will definitely drive traffic to our area."

Three more races are scheduled this fall -- Aug. 14, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2. Practices are held the Saturday before each race on Sunday. Gate fee is $10.

For more information about the track, visit www.skyhighmx.com.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

17040 Highway 61, Old Appleton, Mo.