DONNELLSON - During the six-day fair at the Lee County Speedway at Donnellson, fairgoers were able to see a myriad of events during those days and evenings of hot humid weather.
On Friday night July 12, the grandstands were filled with motorcycle and dirt bike enthusiasts eager to watch the riders race their two wheelers on the oval three-eighths mile dirt track.
The competition had the fans on the edge of their seats.
There has been a time gap of about 20 years since the last motorcycle races were held at the speedway.
The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) District 17 of Illinois had three races scheduled for last season at Donnellson with all three getting rained out. This year proved to be a go despite mother nature winning last summer. The District 17 classes were accompanied by two other bike series which were the Grand National Hooligans and the Classic Flat Track Series of Big V-Twins
The motorcycle flat track racing drew 98 entrants of whom some were entered for more than one class. States represented consisted of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, and California.
Although participants can be as young as four years old, the age range Friday night was six years of age to 68.
The size of their bike along with other factors determined which of 22 different classes each rider would be in. Prizes for feature winners of 14 classes received cash while eight classes were awarded trophies.
An Alexis, Illinois mother and son are well known at motorcycle/dirt bike racing venues as both ride in their respective classes. Tamra Bickerton, 37, is a mom of two with her younger just turning six years old. She happened to be the only female entrant at Friday’s event.
Since the age of four she had been riding a dirt bike.
“I started taking District 17 flat track seriously about four years ago. I am currently racing in the women’s class this season,” Bickerton explained.
Tresser, her younger child, has been riding a dirt bike since he was a toddler at age two.
Bickerton stated, “In 2022 he turned four mid-season and we’ve raced every weekend since.
He placed fourth in the 50 shaft class at amateur nationals in Du Quoin, Illinois last week against the best of the best in the United States.”
The young boy is a fourth generation flat tracker since his great-grandpa and his grandpa had found pleasure in the same sport in previous years.
“Last year we were the very first mother and son to win District 17 championships the same year….he won the 50 shaft class and I won the 160cc class. We attended 22 of the 25 scheduled races,” a very proud Bickerton added.
So far this season the duo has made all 26 races and are adamant in continuing the routine.
Currently Tresser is leading points in both the 50 shaft class and 50 chain class which are composed of four to seven year olds. He has a goal set of seeking dual championships this year.
The little guy was reported as going over 35mph in Friday night’s racing action on his dirt bike. His mom added, “These kids are fearless!”
The interview with Tresser went like this:
How long have you been racing? “Well like ten years.”
Mom chimed in on correcting. “You’re only six, you’ve been racing two.”
Do you really like racing dirt bikes? “Yeah”
What’s your favorite part about it? “My favorite part is going into a corner and sliding.”
What number are you? “28”
Did you pick your own number? “Yeah…my dad was National 28.”
His mom said, “Tell her how you got your name.” “I got it from Andy Tresser…him was a pro rider.”
His mom responded that the late Andy Tresser was National #91 and that her son was named after him.
If you could tell anybody about flat track, what would you tell them? “Go fast and turn left.”
His mom said, “Tell her what the difference is between a TT and a circle track like a short track.”
His response: “Cause the short tracks are smaller, the bigger tracks are bigger.”
(Note - TT is a track with a jump and a right hand turn).
Who was/is your favorite racer? “Andy Tresser…and MY DAD!
How many kids are in your dirt bike class? ‘Six”
So who’s winning points in your class this year…are you winning points right now? “Yeah”
Which classes are you racing? “Two”
What are they? “PW and 50 chain.”
What grade are you in school? “First”
How many days do you practice to prep for the races? “I used to practice like everyday…now I just practice like two or three because we race weekends.”
Where do you practice? “We practice at ALOT of places.”
Is there anything else about the races that anybody would need to know? “If you’re going on the skid shoe, you just try your best and to put your foot down.”
“Yeah…it’s hard not to have a skid shoe.” (He brings his left foot up and forward)
What kind of dirt bikes do you have? “Oh my 50C, that was my friends my dad bought. It’s a Cobra, my PW is a Yamaha.”
His mom pulls up a photo on her cell phone of his championship trophy which is a clock with his picture and dirt bike. “Zoom in mom,” Tresser demands. He places his small fingers on to enlarge and proudly grinning (from ear to ear) states, “That trophy is bigger than your face and head!”
Tresser would go on to win both the dirt bike 50 shaft and 50 chain features Friday night while his mom Tamra took the title in the women’s feature event.
It is the love of the challenging sport and hobby that’s been a family tradition for many years and is still immensely enjoyed as the legacy continues.
FEATURE WINNERS BY CLASS:
50 shaft Tresser Bickerton
50 chain Tresser Bickerton
50 4 stroke Brycen Batz
65cc Brentley Krimminger
85cc Audie L. Snelson
75-125cc 4 stroke air-cooled Jack Ofarrell
Mad Dog Colton Mortimer
Open Youth Cash Carter
Womens Tamara Bickerton
450 B Austen Krebill
Open B Colton Mortimer
250cc Braxton Ragan
450 A Tysen Royer
Senior 40+ Richard C. Kent
Open A Tysen Royer
Vintage Rick Reed
Veteran 25+ Chase Wright
Super Senior 50+ Greg Donley
Classic V-Twin Matt Burton
Hooligan Cody Reifsnider
Open Pro/Am/Exhibition Declan B. Bender
Open Pro Bike Declan B. Bender
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here