2001 BMX Grand Nationals

2001 BMX Grand Nationals

September 1-2, 2001

September will once again bring the NBL Grand Nationals back to E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, KY. With a premier track and the centrally located state of Kentucky, one can see why the National Bicycle League keeps choosing this city to host the Grand's. This year, the NBL will be giving out more than $200,000 in cash and prizes.

Thousands of participants will show up from all over the world to be a part of the 2001 Grand Nationals. The BMX track usually looks like a refugee camp with tents, campers, trucks, and trailers. All the big sponsors, along with their teams, will be present - Harro, Mongoose, Airwalk, Huffy, GT, and Schwinn-just to name a few. The races usually bring top network sports and news teams to televise the finals.

There are three skill levels in BMX racing: Rookie, Novice and Expert. The brand new rider will start as a Rookie and will race other Rookie riders the same age or close to the same age.

Age classes in BMX are one year apart, beginning with the 5-year-old and under class and continuing up to the 17 and older classes. Beginning riders will continue to compete in the Rookie class until they have won eight races within the points' year. When a beginning rider reaches eight wins, he will then become a Novice racer.

All racers start at the top of a small hill behind a starting gate. As the gate falls, the racers dash down the hill through a course of winding turns and jumps. The racers must compete in three motos, or heats, to determine the overall winner. The rider with the highest number of points is the winner.

The racing is free to the public, and there will be a lot to see and do. Food vendors, bike manufacturers and BMX accessory tents will all be there for the enthusiast. The racing is fast with a moto running every twenty seconds all day long. Racers range from five years-old to 59 - that's right 59! There are plenty of thrills, chills and spills.

For more information on BMX racing, check out the following websites:

http://www.nbl.org/

http://www.geocities.com/derbycitybmx/

Directions To Grand Nationals:

E.P. Tom Sawyer Park is located off Westport Road in Louisville, Kentucky. From Interstates 64,65 or 71: Use Gene Snyder Expressway (I-265) to Exit 32 (Westport Road), turn right and go to the intersection with Thorton's (BIG American flag) and BP Station. Turn left onto Freys Hill Road. Follow the road through the left turn, then turn right. Look for the BMX track on the right.