BMX riders are planning to pack the park.
The Nanaimo BMX Association is hosting three straight days of racing Friday through Sunday at the Marie Davidson BMX Park. The annual Race for Life charity event comes first, followed by a Redline Cup qualifier on Saturday and then a double-points race on Sunday.
"What we try to do is pack them all into three days so that people can come over and we make it a whole weekend for them," said Chris Johnson, Nanaimo BMX Association president.
The Race for Life is a fundraiser for B.C. Children's Hospital. Last year B.C.'s 12 BMX tracks combined to raise $60,000.
"It's a charity that's dear to the BMX community," Johnson said. "Everybody knows somebody that's been through the B.C. Children's Hospital."
He said some of the club's alumni, even if they've mostly stopped racing, will come out just to ride and support the Race for Life.
The next day is another big day. Johnson said Nanaimo is the only Canadian track hosting a qualifier this year for the Redline Cup Finals West in Fresno, Calif. in October. So riders are expected from all over the Island, other parts of B.C. and probably some from Washington State.
Johnson expects that riders, their family and any fans will enjoy the weekend.
"We're excited about it. It'll be lots of fun," he said.
Registration for the Race for Life is Friday (July 26) from 6-7 p.m., with racing to follow at 7:30 p.m. Anyone with a bike can enter for $10 so long as they have a helmet and long pants and long sleeves. Saturday's racing will start at 5:30 p.m. following registration from 4-5 p.m. Sunday's double-points race starts at 10 a.m.
For more information, visit www.nanaimobmx.com or e-mail info@nanaimobmx.com.
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