A new timing system will be installed in the coming months at the Marie Davidson BMX Park, with riders able to track their times online and through various intervals on the track. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

pedal power

‘More competitive racing:’ new timing system being installed at Nanaimo BMX track

Jan 29, 2026 | 3:53 PM

NANAIMO — A recently revamped BMX track is receiving some timely new technology.

The City of Nanaimo recently awarded a $20,000 grant to Nanaimo BMX Club, with the lion’s share of the money earmarked for a track-wide timing system for race weekends and practice sessions at the Marie Davidson BMX Park.

Club president Craig Hashimoto told NanaimoNewsNOW the system performs similarly to induction loops at traffic light intersections, connecting with a transponder installed on the front of a racer’s bike.

“Some of our advanced riders, they don’t have the same level of competition [at a local event], that they would find at the bigger national or international events, so having a timing system that allows them to benchmark their performance and set goals and be able to measure themselves will really help our rider development.”

Contribution from the City for the timing system was $16,000, with the remainder of the money going toward minor improvements to facility structures.

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Installation of the timing system was envisioned long ago for the club, which ensured conduit was laid beneath the surface in preparation for running the required cables.

Club members will also take care of the installation of the system, with multiple timing points planned across the track, providing racers with interval times for their runs.

Hashimoto said once installed, and as the technology becomes more adopted by their members, changes to their club races may occur.

“With BMX, typically you race against other riders in your same age. With this timing system, it’ll actually allow us to…pair riders into race groups based on how fast they are on the track, not necessarily their age, their gender, or any other factor. The idea there would be potentially having bigger groups and more competitive racing and riders racing against riders that they typically wouldn’t get the opportunity to race against.”

The club is working to purchase an inventory of the transponders, which they’ll then sell to members.

While having the device will not be a requirement to race locally, many serious riders will likely jump on board.

“Already if you want to compete at large events in the U.S., the expert rider classes are required to have these transponders. Riders are going to want to have their own so that when they go to events, if there’s timing available, they’ll be able to make use of that system.”

The timing system will be installed ahead of a pair of major events for the club this summer.

In early July, the track will host a BMX Canada provincial qualifying race, while a Cycling BC provincial championship is also held at the same time.

It will mark the first time ever the two sport governing bodies will hold events at the same track, at the same time, according to Hashimoto.

In August, the club will host a Canada Cup race weekend, which represents one of the highest levels of amateur racing in the country.

If the event is scheduled correctly, it would also be the first races to count toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Marie Davidson BMX Park is located within the Beban Park recreational hub, accessible off Labieux Rd.

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