Motocross racing returns to Plains
Photos by Aaric Bryan Plains’ Anthony Steinebach cruises down the backstretch of the racetrack at the Sanders County Fairgrounds during the 80 C race Sunday. He finished fourth.
The constant revving of engines that could be heard echoing throughout the valley Sunday could only mean one thing - motocross has returned to Plains.
Over 200 racers took part in the fourth race of the WestMont MX Spring Series at the Sander's County Fairgrounds. The racer's were split into over 20 different classes and raced for over six hours. Ron Warren, one of the chief coordinators of the race, said racers from all ages competed in the races. “I think it's safe to say, they're racers from 5 to 50 here,” he said. Warren said that the racers came from across Montana, Idaho and Washington.
Six of the 205 who raced around the mile track, didn't have to travel far to get to the track. Two of them hail from Plains and four of them came down from the west end of the county.
Jessie Warren, the 17-year-old son of Ron, started the day off strong by winning the 250 A class. The eight-year race veteran of Plains also took second place in 125 A class, later in the day.
Plains resident Anthony Steinebach, 13, wasn't happy with his fourth place finish in the 80 C race. “I know I could do better. I just had a bad start,” he said. Steinebach, who has been racing less than a year, said even though he was upset with his finish it was still a good day. “It's been fun. The track's nice. Everything is working,” he said.
Landon and Robbie Franz, Tyler Deprez and Steven Walter all traveled together from the west end of the county to get their taste for speed. Landon and Franz started the day by battling it out in the 250 B race, with Landon finishing fifth and Deprez coming in sixth. “That was quite the battle those two were having,” said Landon's father Randy after the race.
Randy said the group had spent all day Saturday racing in Niarada for the third race of the WestMont Series and almost go somewhere every weekend for the races. He said the motocross races are a great way to spend time with your family and friends. “That's what people don't realize. This is a family sport,” he said pointing to all the motor homes parked at the fairgrounds.
Seventeen volunteers from the Camas Prairie Ranch, which is part of the Spring Creek Lodge Academy, helped with the starting, flagging, and record keeping at the race. The racing started just after 10 a.m. and finished up about at 6 p.m. Warren, who still had to clean up after the races, said to put on the race was a lot of work, but he wasn't complaining. “That's what makes this all worth it,” he said after watching his son win the 250 A race.
The WestMont MX Series alternates races between Plains and Niarada. A race in Libby has also been added to the spring series. The series will return to Plains May 24 and end at Libby June 25. The series will also have an award ceremony in Plains July 4, at Plains. There will be races that day, but they won't be counted in the WestMont Series.