Track Director’s Words: 

In early July Mike Gross resigned as Track Director.  Work requirements had changed and he was unable to be at the track during evenings and nights.  President Sandy Gross appointed Todd Lackey as Track director until the September elections.

I just took over as track director less than a month ago and we started working hard on the first straight getting it smooth and adding some Soil-Tac to the clay.  Unfortunately, it's really the worst time to work on the track due to the rainy summer season.  We will keep on patching the first three straights during the summer and we should have the last straight completed very soon.  Yes, the last straight needs some new clay and then it needs to be dragged and compacted, but that should not take very long because we have all of the supplies that we need in-house.  I want to thank all of the parents and riders for coming out and supporting us while we worked so hard in the hot sun and also in the rain; it really means a lot to me personally. 

Before you enter the fence for a race or practice please read the rules that are posted on the big sign as you enter the track.  All of the volunteers (moms and dads included) and I will all be enforcing the rules on and off of the track.  If you break a rule you will be given a slip of paper noting when, where, how and why you received it.  Two in a night you will be asked to leave the track and will be suspended for one day.  Three in one week and you will be suspended for an entire week.  If the rider breaks the rules consistently after the suspension then the president and I will have to come up with another solution and punishment for that rider. 
Every practice at 8:15 we will be working on different techniques.  Riders will be stopping on the track in designated areas but only along the right side of the track.  During practice, if you are not riding fast and coasting or sitting down please move to the right side of the track to let other riders train on their racing needs.  We need to do this because we are a very busy track with a lot of brand new riders and common courtesy goes along way! Racing!  Did you know that your local Team Audiobahn is currently sitting in 3rd place nationally going into the Grand Nationals?  That's right, we are 13 points out of first place and ONE point out of second place.  The Grand Nationals is a double points race for the Team NBL competition so that means anything is possible. This  makes for a great finish to an exciting year!  So root for your local team and check out all of the pictures from the Nashville National on our website Justgobmx.com.

Todd Lackey, Track Director
 

July Parent Council 

After being rained out for three consecutive times we finally got the Parent Council meeting going...and it rained, again.  The minutes were approved from last month.  President Sandy Gross said that Mike Gross had to step down as Track Director since his job was now requiring him to work evenings and nights.  Sandy appointed Assistant Track Director Todd Lackey to fill in for the next two months until elections.  Trish Riddell, VP, is also having to work later hours and needs additional help in the concession stand when she cannot be here.  Several people are volunteering (thank you!) but more helpers are sure welcome.  Clerk Smitty said that the “Bring-A-Buddy” program is going GREAT, with about 25% of the visitors registering as new riders.  Saturday rider counts in the motos is now up to 60 to 70 riders with about 20 motos.  Great for the summer!  Secretary/Treasurer Bernice Baker reports that in June we had $6957 income with $984 profit.  The 50/50 is rising, but we need parent s to sell tickets on race days.  The track is “in the black and looking good.”  Track director Todd Lackey says that new work is taking place on the track and Soil-Tac will soon be in place so we don’t have to cover the track.  The rains have been brutal on the track.  He has a GREAT team working in the track.  Thank you, everybody!  We need a compactor.  We are renting and the $$$ is adding up.  PR Bob Fain reported that Donna Snow placed in the TOP 15 for the Miss Florida USA pageant.  New Business: OPEN HOUSE on August 23 with two races; one is the Bob Warnicke Scholarship Race.  We will have a swap meet, special food available, that race ends the CCBMX Summer Series, fun races like the “foot down”, “backward” and “Bunny Hop”.  The 50/50 sales will include more items besides the cash.  The next Parent Council is scheduled for August 12th and nominations open for election of new officers.
 

Open House at CCBMX

Swap Meet, Garage Sale, Potluck Dinner
September 6th

Got stuff you don't need anymore?
Got stuff you outgrew?
Got old stuff that's still "good stuff"?

Do you need BMX stuff and want a deal on some gently used stuff ???

Hungry ???

On Saturday, September 6th, the track will open at 3:00 PM. 
Set up your own table and start swapping with others or sell what you bring.
It's time to find those pedals, cranks, BMX pants, jerseys or helmets that you or your rider needs and strike a DEAL.

Yes, and we are going to EAT, too!
Please bring a food item that would feed all of your family plus some extra.
Swap, trade, sell, buy, eat a great meal and then stay and watch some GREAT BMX racing!

Time to EMPTY that garage and offer that stuff to some new riders at bargain prices !!!

Practice will start at 5:00 PM and we will RACE at 7:00 PM.   What a DAY!!!

Warnicke Scholarship Race

This race costs $15 to enter, but everyone who races the Main gets a special medallion for participating.  The POINTS for this race are QUADRUPLE REGIONAL POINTS. 

You don’t want to miss this race. 

On August 23rd there will be TWO races...the LAST race of the CCBMX Summer Series (practice at 3 PM and race at 5 PM) and then the Bob Warnicke Scholarship race (at 7:30 PM).  Proceeds for this race go to the NBL scholarship fund. Do BOTH races and finish the Summer Series and get HUGE Regional points, too!
 

Who’s Who? 

Betty Ijames married Paul Ijames just about a year ago and we almost felt like it was a BMX marriage.  Betty was a BMX parent before; her son Brian Grogg, who is 24 now, used to race here about 12 years ago.  When Betty married Paul, his son Daniel had been playing baseball but he was losing interest.  It was just too slow for him.  Betty suggested that they look at BMX and Daniel really took off in the sport.  Betty helps out at the track in a lot of different ways.  She has worked as a scorer, a verifier and she helps out in the concession stand.  When asked if she has ever thought about riding, even for a Mother’s Day race, and the answer is a quick “NO! I’m afraid that I would kill myself!”  She is not nervous seeing Daniel race because “he’s a boy and it’s what he really wants to do.  He’s careful and he’s good at it, even though he’s had a few crashes.  Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt.”  Betty says, “It helps keep your children interested in a sport when you volunteer.  They see that you are involved, too.”  She works as a Practice Administrator at the new Complete Women’s Care facility that just open up on August 1st.  She is taking care of Daniel and their home without Paul right now.  Paul was looking for work and was hired by a firm that sent him to Iraq.  He is an independent contractor working in construction.  He has built schools, water and sewage treatment plants, and government buildings.  Betty talks by telephone to him every day and she can’t wait for him to be home on September 13th.  In the meantime, she says, “He’s in God’s hands and we trust that he will be OK.  So, while Paul is away, Betty Ijames is being a helpful BMX parent taking care of Daniel and volunteering to help out.  Thank you, Betty, for all that you do for all the CCBMX riders.

New Rider of the Month

Our New Rider is a 5 year old bicycle powerhouse.  Evan Raymond has been riding for about 5 months and he loves BMX.  His mom, Shelley Raymond, found out about our track by surfing the internet.  She brought Evan out to the track, he couldn’t wait to get started, she signed him up and he was racing.  They bought Isaac Giuliano’s old bike and really took off.  At first, Todd Lackey had to help push him over the larger hills, but no longer!  Now he is starting to “catch some air” and is starting to jump some of the hills.  He can already balance himself on the starting gate with no one helping him.  When asked what the best part of BMX is, he just looks at you and says very clearly, “Everything!  Everything about BMX is the best!”  No doubts there, everybody.  “The hardest part of the track,” he says, “is the third straight with the two doubles...that’s fun, but it’s hard to do right.”  He has a BMX goal to work toward: he wants to race in the Olympics.  Let’s see...that would be in about 12 years at the earliest.  Plenty of time to get ready.  His mom, Shelly Raymond, and his dad, Scott Raymond, have also started riding BMX.  Scott raced in the Father’s Day races in June.  It’s a BMX family!  Evan says that it is nice to have mom and dad on the track, too.  He likes that.  He will be starting school this year as a kindergarten student at Tropic Isles Elementary School and he will have stories to tell his teacher and his friends.  He has been learning fast at the New Rider Clinics and has plans on being “the fastest” in every race.  Watch this little guy.  He’s going to make those Olympics one day and we will remember that we knew him when he was only 5 years old.

Rider of the Month

This month’s BMX Super Star is a young rider.  Dylan Shipley is six years old and is a Rookie, but he is progressing very fast and will be a Novice soon.  He found out about BMX from his friend, Jalen King (6-R) who is a current rider.  Dylan came to the track with his parents and, WOW, it was just what he wanted to do!  He has a new Redline bike that is fast and he likes it ALL.  Dylan will start school in Caloosa Elementary in the first grade this month.  Dylan agrees with Evan Raymond that the third straight is the most difficult part of the track.  He has had one hard crash on the Table and shows (proudly) a good road rash on his hip that he picked up on the second turn recently.  He says that when he falls, “I get right back up and finish the race.  I don’t quit.”  He likes to practice and ride with Joey Reiger and Joey Lewis.  No wonder he is racing faster and faster every week!  Dad, Darryl Shipley, is the pit crew and they work on the bike together to keep it clean and lubricated.  Mom, Shannan, helps out at the scoring table at the finish line.  Dylan is working on finishing his 8 races for the Cape Coral Summer Series and many of his races have him in first place.  Todd Lackey took notice of him and signed him up for Team Audiobahn for the next State Season.  Shannan says that she is excited to see him race and not too nervous.  She gets anxious when he crashes until his head pops up and she knows he is OK, though.  Dylan and his parents credit the New Rider Clinics with teaching him the basics so fast and now he is learning to race smarter.  Dylan says, “Great job, everyone.  Everybody should try it because BMX is fun.”
 

Carson Lackey’s birthday party.

Adrian Torres and Donna Snow enjoy Michelle Huey’s birthday cake! 

Stacy Snukis sells 50/50 tickets. 
Winners get cash or prizes.