SECTION 03
THE TIMELINE.
Race #1 - South KC: Fast Eddies’ in Grandview. August/September 1974
Late summer and fall — Fast Eddies Race Track opens in Grandview, marking the beginning of organized BMX racing in the Kansas City area.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Race #2 - South KC: Cumberland Church on 40 HiWay, Bikes Forever, 39th Noland, Indep, MO. Nov 1974
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Gary's Bike Mart Track
Gary's Bike Mart opens a track at 10505 Blue Ridge, bringing another dedicated racing venue to the KC metro. It holds 3rd, 4th and 5th areas races at this venue.The 5th race is held on October 19, 1975.
SOURCE: NEWSPAPER · VERIFIED
South KC: Yamaha Dirt Days, KCIR
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Kernodles Park
The Gary's Bike Mart Track relocates to Kernodles Park in South KC. Races 6, 7, 8 South KC: May 9, July 25, and Aug, 1976.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
IBMA Racing Begins
Separately, promoter Ed Bonderant begins holding IBMA-sanctioned races in the grass at Hill Park in Independence, Mo., and Rosedale Park in Kansas City, KS. Courses resembled a Cyclocross layout with a 'Rubber Band Start' made from surgical rubber hose.
SOURCE: FLYER · PARTIALLY VERIFIED
ABA Redline Summer Tour - Bypasses Kansas City
The Redline Summer Tour makes stops in Wichita, KS, Omaha, NE and bypass Kansas City. Several Kansas City area riders attended the Wichita races.
SOURCE: FLYER · VERIFIED
Winter Indoor Racing Begins
Winter indoor racing kicks off at the Downs Horse Arena, just west of Shawnee Mission Park in Lenexa, KS — keeping KC riders racing year-round.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
1979 ABA Year End Points results
Several riders from the Kansas City area appear for the first time in the ABA Year End Points for Kansas, Damon Reddick, Mark Denton, Charles Hartley and a Missouri rider, George Austin from Raytown, MO. In 1979 Missouri did not have a Missouri District so Missouri riders were placed in Kansas.
SOURCE: BMX PUBLICATION · VERIFIED
First ABA Membership in Kansas City Purchased
SOURCE: UNDOCUMENTED RECOLLECTION · PARTIALLY VERIFIED
ABA Kansas Coliseum Race
Kansas City racer head to Wichita, KS for the ABA Kansas Coliseum race.
SOURCE: MULTIPLE SOURCES · VERIFIED
1980 Redline Summer Tour
The Redline Summer Tour makes stops in Wichita, Nebraska and for the Gateway National at Plantation Raceway in St. Louis, MO. Once again bypassing Kansas City.
SOURCE: FLYER · VERIFIED
First Full Factory Sponsorship
Doug Prather becomes the first Kansas City racer to earn a full factory sponsorship, representing Skyway Products — the manufacturer of Tuff Wheels.
SOURCE: FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT · VERIFIED
Lake Contrary Brings ABA Racing to the Region
SOURCE: VERIFIED
January 1981 — Ed Bondurant Brings ABA Racing to Kansas City
Ed Bondurant begins running ABA Sanctioned events.
SOURCE: MULTIPLE SOURCES · VERIFIED
PBMA Opens Kansas City’s First Outdoor ABA Track
After the success of the Benjamin Stables rodeo arena races, Howard Benjaminallowed the PBMA to build a permanent race track on the stable grounds.
SOURCE: FLYER · VERIFIED
Races at Wyandotte County Fair Grounds & American Royal
SOURCE: VERIFIED
KC Hotwheels Track
KC Hotwheels track was located NW of the intersection of Childress and Barry Road in North Kansas City Mo. The Track Operators were John Decker, Sonny Williams and Dick Gibson. The Riders featured on the flyer are Doug Prather and Drew Jameson.
SOURCE: FLYER · VERIFIED
PBMA - Harris Park Rodeo Arena
The PBMA opens a new track located in the Harris Park Rodeo Arena in Less Summit, MO.
SOURCE: MULTIPLE SOURCES · VERIFIED
PBMA -Berm Buster's BMX Closes
IN October of 1981 the PBMA was forced to close the Berm Buster's BMX track, it was rumored that neighbors adjacent to the track had complained and the noise and traffic.
SOURCE: MULTIPLE SOURCES · PARTIALLY VERIFIED
Kansas City's first Pro Rider
Mark Denton becomes the fist Kasnas City rider to join the professional ranks.
SOURCE: PARTIALLY VERIFIED
Track II opens North of the River
Track II opens north of the river NW of Liberty, Mo., run by Mark and Kirk Deganhart — though the first race met a barely-prepared surface of fist-sized clods of dirt.
SOURCE: FLYER · VERIFIED
In September, the first Optimist VFW BMX track opens
boasting the first fully air-actuated gate in the Midwest. Operated by Drew Jameson, it earned the nickname 'Death Track' for its 6-foot first jump, a cliff on the backside of the first corner, and asphalt fill hidden under the dirt.
SOURCE: OFFICIAL RESULTS · VERIFIED
Shamrock & Optimist VFW BMX II Open
Shamrock BMX and the second Optimist BMX track come online. Shamrock hosts a Wheaties Gold Cup Qualifier, putting KC on the national stage.
SOURCE: MULTIPLE SOURCES · VERIFIED
Wheaties/Raleigh ABA - US Gold Cup Qualifier
ABA's first major event in Kansas City
SOURCE: MULTIPLE SOURCES · VERIFIED
Blue Springs BMX Opens
Jim Talley opens Blue Springs BMX, adding another landmark venue to the growing KC racing circuit.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Midwest National at KCIR
The Midwest National is held at KCIR near Noland Road and 350 Highway — a marquee event cementing Kansas City's reputation as a BMX hub.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Bike for the Likes of Us opens its doors.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Raytown BMX Opens
Raytown BMX opens its gates, becoming one of the region's premier tracks and a home for a new generation of KC riders.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Countryside BMX Opens
Countryside BMX was a local BMX racing track operated on the Stephens family farm near Buckner, Missouri. Henry Stephens, his wife, Julie and son, Phillip opened the track in 2002 and hosted weekly racing for approximately six years. The track reflected the Stephens family’s belief in providing clean, positive sports activities for young people. Henry and Nancy Stephens supported and enjoyed the family’s involvement as Countryside BMX gave area children a place to race, compete, and spend time together. Historical location: 27900 East Carswell Road, Buckner, Missouri 64016
Bryan Jones founds Majesty Racing
Bryan Jones founds Majesty Racing, beginning with custom number plates and apparel before expanding into BMX frames, forks, and components.
SOURCE: VERIFIED
Blue Springs BMX Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Blue Springs BMX marks its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades as a cornerstone of the Kansas City BMX community since opening in 1984.
SOURCE: VERIFIED