Other than the Olympics, it is the biggest event a BMX racer can compete in. And five Vernon BMX Club riders were there to take in the 35th annual U.S. Grands in Tulsa, Okla.
Ken Botterill, Dean Botterill, Chris Spence and Shylo Orchard, all sponsored by Krapp Weasel Racing, all made the 36-hour trek to Tulsa to ride against the world’s best.
Orchard, the newly crowned Canadian girls Cruiser champion, won the Race of Champions, and was runner-up to the world No. 1 in the Grands.
Ken Botterill, 70, racing in the 61 and Over division, placed sixth after crashing with a 78-year-old in the first corner.
Ken’s son, Dean, raced in a field of 42 in the 46-50 age class. He crashed in the last corner of his semi.
Spence battled 48 riders in the 40-45 class, but missed the main.
First-year rider Travis Sergeant, 13, missed out on the finals in a stacked field of 42 Novice racers.
The event set a new record the number of motos (650+) and riders (5,200+).
Krapp Weasel thanked sponsors Skyride Cycle, CanWest Propane, Silver Star Mountain Resort and A&W.
