By Dan Marshall

Full weekend of racing at Nanaimo’s Marie Davidson BMX Park

Apr 28, 2017 | 12:03 PM

NANAIMO — Racing has been going on for about a month at the Marie Davidson BMX Park but the season really ramps up this weekend.
 
There will be two full days of racing Saturday and Sunday at the Nanaimo track at Beban Park.
 
There’s a double point race on Saturday in conjunction with the Race for Life campaign. Registration is at 4 p.m. with the race itself right after.
 
The Race for Life campaign is a fundraiser for BC Children’s Hospital leukemia cancer research. Nanaimo BMX raised $11,099.50 in 2016 which was the most in BC. This year Nanaimo’s group has tallied the most fundraising dollars in the province as well with $6,979 to date.
 
Sunday is the first day of Vancouver Island Championship Series racing.
 
Track operator Mike Smith says the day will include pro-am racing and he’s expecting at least five pros to be in attendance.
 
“We’re expecting over 250 riders alone. Plus their entourage with parents and grand parents cheering them on. It’s shaping up to a great day, a great weekend all in all for Nanaimo BMX,” said Smith.
 
Race day on Sunday starts at 9:30 a.m with rider registration.
 
In total there are five races in the VIC series including stops in Oceanside, Victoria, and Cumberland.
 
Just last weekend there 67 riders out on the Nanaimo track, and Smith says the club has riders from the age of two all the way to 65 years old.
 
“We had about 30 between two and three year olds,” Smith said. “They’re just on their run bikes doing the strider stuff on half tracks, but they’re still a key part of our organization and membership.”
 
According to Smith Nanaimo is a breeding ground for great competitors and there are many strong up and coming racers. 
 
“Aidan Webber and Ben Leslie, these guys are at the peak right now,” said Smith. “They’re both shooting for hopefully the Olympic team, they’re both on the provincial team right now, and will be competing for the worlds in South Carolina.”
 
The BMX and Motocross communities in Nanaimo lost a local legend last year with the passing of Steve Smith at the age of 26. But the 2013 World Cup champion is an inspiration for the next generation of riders who will be racing on the same track where he got his start.
 
To get more information on this weekend’s racing the easiest way is to go to the Nanaimo BMX page on facebook. The other way is to do an internet search of Nanaimo BMX, it will take you to the Nanaimo section of the BMX Canada website.   
 
 
Weekend Sports

BCPBL

Pirates @ White Rock Tritons – Saturday 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. South Surrey Athletic Park
Pirates @ Coquitlam Reds – Sunday 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mundy Park
 
CCBC
Mariners @ Calgary Dinos – Saturday 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. University of Calgary
Mariners @ Calgary Dinos – Sunday 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. University of Calgary
 
BC Rugby Union – Division 1 Semi Final
Hornets vs Bayside Sharks – Saturday 2:45 p.m. May Bennett Pioneer Park
 
BCJALL
Timbermen @ Delta Islanders – Saturday 5 p.m. – Ladner Leisure Centre
 
47th Brentwood Regatta
Friday – Sunday – Brentwood College
 
 
dan.marshall@jpbg.ca
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77