Champion Speedway BMX, a family run track located at 344 East River Dr. in Owego, N.Y. opens for the 2016 season on Sunday, April 3. Track operator, Rick Decker and Track President, Margaret Decker, encourage riders of all ages and skill levels to try BMX riding and welcomes spectators to visit the complex on race days. Opening day registration begins at 3 p.m. (Provided photos)
BMX is a family sport for the Decker family, owners of Champion Speedway BMX located at 344 East River Dr. in Owego, N.Y. With their own team, Ridin’ RevolutionS, Rick and Margaret, along with their three sons, Deemer, Garrison and Jerrick, all ride and their daughter, Aliceon, helps run the races and volunteers at the track. The 2016 season opens on Sunday, April 3. For more information, find them on Facebook or visit their website, www.usabmx.com/tracks/1719.
Champion Speedway BMX, a family run track located at 344 East River Dr. in Owego, N.Y. opens for the 2016 season on Sunday, April 3. Pictured is a special Veterans Day event held in 2015. Sanctioned by USABMX, a full season of regular races and special events is scheduled, and owners Rick and Margaret Decker, also certified coaches, will offer instruction for anyone interested in learning to ride. For more information, find them on Facebook or visit their website, www.usabmx.com/tracks/1719.
Champion Speedway BMX, a family run track located at 344 East River Dr. in Owego, N.Y. opens for the 2016 season on Sunday, April 3. Registration on opening day begins at 3 p.m. Track operator, Rick Decker and Track President, Margaret Decker, encourage riders of all ages and skill levels to try BMX riding and welcomes spectators to visit the complex on race days.
Sanctioned by USABMX, Owego’s Champion Speedway BMX is one of over 370 BMX tracks located around the country. Last year, the Decker’s held a soft opening and limited first season, which concluded with a special Veteran’s Day race in November. Gearing up for a full season this year, which includes scheduled races and special events, the 2016 season runs from April through October.
The usabmx.com website describes the sport as, “From the moment that the starting gate slams down, and you and up to seven other racers blast at a full sprint toward the first obstacle, BMX racing gives you a rush of adrenaline. With big jumps, steep backsides, deep turns and downhill sections, you really need to experience it.”
BMX is a family sport for the Decker’s who reside in Windsor, N.Y. and travel back and forth to the Owego track. Rick and Margaret have been racing for many years and manage their own BMX team called Ridin’ RevolutionS. Three sons, Deemer, Garrison, and Jerrick also ride, and daughter, Aliceon, helps run the races and volunteers at the track.
Interested riders will need a bike and helmet, along with long sleeves and pants. The Decker’s will be offering various clinics for children and adults, including introductory classes focused on getting to know the equipment, parts of the bike and how it operates, as well as how to ride. For younger kids, work with a balance bike will be available, which helps kids transition easily into riding. Other classes will be offered throughout the season as well.
Margaret shared, “We will be glad to help out anyone who wants to try it! With our coaching certification, we want to bring the sport of BMX out to new riders and introduce this sport to families in hopes they find it as great as we do.”
A goal of the Decker’s is to become a good community partner, allowing families to bond while enjoying the sport of BMX racing. For the future, the Decker’s want to expand their coaching program to allow new riders to learn as well as build and groom the track for intermediate and more expert riders.
Special events will be announced throughout the season. An exciting event in store is the BMX Olympic Day on June 23, which will feature a guest Olympian. Other events include a “Race for Life,” to raise money for cancer research, among others, and the Decker’s will work toward a partnership with area businesses to offer STEM-related activities as it relates to the operation of a BMX bike.
Since the Decker’s have been traveling the race circuit for many years, their inaugural season brought friends and families from Canada, New Jersey and the New England states. A win-win, Champion Speedway BMX could ultimately bring more visitors to Owego and the surrounding area and in turn put the track on the map for BMX-enthusiasts.
For information, contact Rick or Margaret Decker by phone at (607) 343-7821 or (607) 221-1683, or by email to championbmxtrack@gmail.com. You can also find Champion Speedway BMX on Facebook, or visit the website, www.usabmx.com/tracks/1719.
