Ed Bondurant

Before Kansas City became one of the Midwest's strongest BMX communities, someone had to organize races, secure places to race, and convince families to give the new sport a chance.

For many of the area's earliest racers, that person was Ed Bondurant.

Working full-time as a newspaper carrier for The Kansas City Star, Bondurant devoted his weekends to promoting Bicycle Motocross through the International Bicycle Motocross Association (IBMA). During the late 1970s and early 1980s, when organized BMX was still in its infancy, his races introduced hundreds of young riders to the sport and helped establish the foundation upon which Kansas City BMX would grow.

Early IBMA races were simple by today's standards. Many were held in local parks using a rubber-band starting gate. Those modest events gave countless young riders their first experience with organized BMX competition.

As BMX expanded nationally, many Kansas City riders encouraged Ed Bondurant to seek American Bicycle Association (ABA) sanctioning for local events. Recognizing the opportunity to connect the region with the nation's fastest-growing BMX organization, Bondurant ultimately secured ABA sanctioning, ushering in a new era of competition for Kansas City riders.

That new era reached its peak at Downs Arena. Located on what was then the western edge of Johnson County, Downs Arena quickly became a regional destination. Riders regularly traveled from Wichita, Nebraska, and neighboring states to compete against one of the deepest rider pools in the Midwest. Events routinely attracted 200 to 300 riders, making Downs Arena one of the region's premier BMX facilities.

Following the loss of Downs Arena, Bonderant continued promoting successful ABA races at the American Royal. Contemporary newspaper coverage shows he remained optimistic about the future of BMX, remarking in 1981, 'The sport is really growing... it hasn't even begun to peak.' His goal was to continue building Kansas City into one of the nation's strongest BMX communities.

According to the recollections of many longtime Kansas City BMX racers, the momentum changed after an ABA multi-point weekend at the American Royal when required moto sheets were reportedly never submitted to the ABA. Riders competing for district standings—including Missouri District No. 1 contender Norman Jones and many others—did not receive credit for their finishes. Many longtime participants recall that confidence in the local ABA program declined sharply following the incident.

By the 1982 ABA season, Bondurant's promotions no longer appeared in the district points program. In 1983 he returned to promoting BMX at Tomahawk Ridge, where racing continued outside the ABA system.

Tomahawk Ridge was widely regarded by local racers as an outstanding BMX facility. It occupied an excellent Johnson County location and offered the potential to become one of the Midwest's premier tracks. Yet it opened after the competitive momentum that had fueled Downs Arena had faded, and many established racers remained committed to ABA competition elsewhere.

Many longtime Kansas City BMX participants believe Tomahawk Ridge opened at the wrong moment in history. Had the momentum established during the Downs Arena years continued, and had confidence in the local ABA program remained intact, the facility possessed the location, quality, and potential to become one of the Midwest's premier BMX tracks. Several longtime racers believe it could even have become a future ABA National venue. While that can never be proven, it reflects the high regard in which the facility was held by those who raced there.

Ed Bondurant's story reflects both the promise and the growing pains of early BMX. His vision introduced hundreds of young riders to organized competition and helped transform Kansas City into a major BMX community. His career also illustrates that building a sport requires more than enthusiasm—it requires organization, accountability, and the confidence of the community it serves. Both his successes and his setbacks became part of Kansas City BMX history.

Career at a Glance

Role: Promoter / Track Operator

Organizations: IBMA, ABA, later Tomahawk Ridge

Key Facilities: City Park Tracks, Downs Arena, American Royal, Tomahawk Ridge

Introduced hundreds of Kansas City-area families to organized BMX.

Helped transition Kansas City BMX from temporary park tracks to major regional venues.

Historical Note This biography is based on contemporary newspaper coverage, race flyers, sanction records, ABA points booklets, photographs, and firsthand recollections preserved by the Kansas City BMX History Project. The discussion of the moto-sheet incident is presented as the recollection of longtime participants. The chronology of Bonderant's transition from ABA promotion to Tomahawk Ridge is supported by contemporary newspaper reporting and district points records.