'Hangtime' Motocross Park Opens At Akron
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
AKRON - Nov. 1 was the opening of the Hangtime Motocross Park east of Akron.
Larry and Joyce Read of Pierceton have spent the past 16 years managing and promoting motocross tracks in North Webster, Wabash and Rochester and arena cross tracks in several states including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, California and Texas.
The Reads finally decided to own a track of their own and Akron seemed to be the perfect place. The Reads purchased land that was perfect for the site with rolling hills, natural terrain and lake.
Mrs. Read said that the sport is family-oriented with participants ranging in age from 4 to 60. A day at the races usually lasts six hours including practice sessions, and the number of riders attending races ranges from 100-250 bikers.
She said the dust is controlled by the application of water and the government requires noise controls on the engines of the bikes.
Many of the riders on the circuit consist of business owners, dentists, therapists and engineers.
Read said the American Motorcycle Association is not happy and racers have lots of money in their operation. "They don't like to be called public nuisances," she said. "I would rather have the kids race than sitting on the street corner."
Larry Whitmere, AMA president of District 15, said, "There are good people affiliated in racing. This is one sport where you can race with your son."
Whitmere said there are 2,500 AMA members in district 15 and 200,000 member nationally.
Residents in the area of the track at Akron have voiced their concerns over health risks and noise. Read said they have never had any complaints at any other site. She said the track near North Webster would be closed after the next season and residents of the area are upset that the track would not be in operation.
She also said the Fulton County commissioners and fair board have been very supportive of the events held at the Fulton County fairgrounds. "We never had any trouble with the neighbors except in Akron," she said.
When asked why they did not attend the Sept. 15 Akron town council meeting, Read said a council member had invited them to attend but their attorney advised them against it.
Read said the businessmen they have talked to in Akron have been supportive of a track in the area.
She also said she has not talked to any of Akron's town council members until recently.
Future plans for the track are ambitious, even for this year. The Reads are planning a qualifying race for a motocross event on Loretta Lynn's property at Hurricane Hill, Tenn. Later they plan to hold national events that can draw as many as 600 riders. [[In-content Ad]]
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AKRON - Nov. 1 was the opening of the Hangtime Motocross Park east of Akron.
Larry and Joyce Read of Pierceton have spent the past 16 years managing and promoting motocross tracks in North Webster, Wabash and Rochester and arena cross tracks in several states including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, California and Texas.
The Reads finally decided to own a track of their own and Akron seemed to be the perfect place. The Reads purchased land that was perfect for the site with rolling hills, natural terrain and lake.
Mrs. Read said that the sport is family-oriented with participants ranging in age from 4 to 60. A day at the races usually lasts six hours including practice sessions, and the number of riders attending races ranges from 100-250 bikers.
She said the dust is controlled by the application of water and the government requires noise controls on the engines of the bikes.
Many of the riders on the circuit consist of business owners, dentists, therapists and engineers.
Read said the American Motorcycle Association is not happy and racers have lots of money in their operation. "They don't like to be called public nuisances," she said. "I would rather have the kids race than sitting on the street corner."
Larry Whitmere, AMA president of District 15, said, "There are good people affiliated in racing. This is one sport where you can race with your son."
Whitmere said there are 2,500 AMA members in district 15 and 200,000 member nationally.
Residents in the area of the track at Akron have voiced their concerns over health risks and noise. Read said they have never had any complaints at any other site. She said the track near North Webster would be closed after the next season and residents of the area are upset that the track would not be in operation.
She also said the Fulton County commissioners and fair board have been very supportive of the events held at the Fulton County fairgrounds. "We never had any trouble with the neighbors except in Akron," she said.
When asked why they did not attend the Sept. 15 Akron town council meeting, Read said a council member had invited them to attend but their attorney advised them against it.
Read said the businessmen they have talked to in Akron have been supportive of a track in the area.
She also said she has not talked to any of Akron's town council members until recently.
Future plans for the track are ambitious, even for this year. The Reads are planning a qualifying race for a motocross event on Loretta Lynn's property at Hurricane Hill, Tenn. Later they plan to hold national events that can draw as many as 600 riders. [[In-content Ad]]