Have you been at Comerica Park and wanted to hit the first pitch? Or been at Ford Field and wanted to run the ball in the endzone?
The Stars and Stripes Nationals, an event hosted by USA BMX and the Detroit Sports Commission in Waterford, allows fans to watch the exhibition from the stands then afterward try out dirt bikes on their own.
BMX ranks among one of the fastest-growing sports for U.S participants, with 2.6 million people involved in BMX across the US according to Union Cycliste Internationale, a world governing body for cycling.
Athletes as young as 5 years old fly through the air on specialized bikes, rugged enough to endure the impact of a dirt track. Currently there are eight BMX tracks around the state.
Professional racers will compete at the Stars and Stripes Nationals for cash in front of hundreds of spectators.
Here's what to know about the event:
Both a performer and a fan?
The four-day event at Waterford Oaks BMX will host a slate of professional races this holiday weekend then host an open house next weekend for amateurs.
“As Waterford Oaks BMX celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud to bring this prestigious event to Metro Detroit and highlight a venue with so much history,” said Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission, Dave Beachnau in a news release.
“BMX fans and competitors from across the globe come to our region to visit the second oldest BMX track in the world, and what better way to see it than during one of BMX’s biggest events, The USA BMX Stars and Stripes Nationals.”
The event will also feature local professional racers, including 14-year-old Dorian Carrerio from Grand Rapids. He is a nationally ranked rider in his age group and a member of USA BMX.
What is BMX?
Motocross (BMX) riding is broken up into two categories:
BMX Racing is a bike race that that takes place on a dirt track. Similar to cycling, riders race around a track with rollers, jumps and turns to challenge their skills.
BMX Freestyle is a competition rather than a race. Riders are judged based off the quality of their run based on difficulty, style and originality. Riders perform two-minute runs executing a sequence of tricks on ramps, walls, box jumps and spines littered throughout the course.
BMX bikes are smaller than normal bicycles to allow riders to be nimbler when navigating quick turns and jumps.
Riders wear a full collection of gear to protect themselves from getting hurt — full face helmets, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts and durable pants with pads underneath to ensure they are safe in case they crash.
Where is the Stars and Stripes Nationals?
The Stars and Striped Nationals is hosted by Waterford Oaks BMX complex located at: 1702 Scott Lake Road. The complex will also be celebrating its 50-year anniversary this weekend.
When is the Stars and Stripes Nationals?
- 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 5: Day 1
- 9 a.m. Friday, July 6: Day 2
- 8 a.m. Saturday, July 7: Day 3
- 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13: Amateur Open House
During the three-day series, races will go well into the evening.
Event logistics
The event is free to get in. Fans have to pay for parking which is $10 per day. If fans are interested in bringing a camper for the entire weekend, it costs $150.
Interested in riding? Read here
The free event encourages amateurs to bring their own bike and helmet if they have one. If not, they can be loaned a bike and helmet for $20. All other safety equipment must be brought by the rider.
Riders can register onsite after signing a waiver to compete. For more information visit the USA BMX website here.
Registration is open up to 30 minutes before the event starts.
Jalen Williams is an intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
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