DAY IN THE DIRT

DAY IN THE DIRT STORY: DAVE ARNOLD PHOTOS: SHAUN OCHSNER & DAVE ARNOLD

Red Bull Day in the Dirt is a Motocross race that was only supposed to be one day event. It began in 1998 as the brainchild of Kenny Alexander, who has turned Day in the Dirt into what is now a 23 year long, non-stop motocross party; often referred to as the “MX Woodstock.” They say this event is a gathering of family and friends, and their common love over dirt bikes. It the attracts the greats the near-greats and not so greats also a large contingency of the Hollywood stunt community as well as moto fanatics worldwide!

The race always starts the day after Thanksgiving. It spans three days. Day one begins with a “Happy Hour” practice which allows riders to learn the course. The greatest benefit of this practice is that the money raised goes to the Steve McQueen fund for The Boys Republic.

His son Chad McQueen who also shares his father’s love of motocross is often a fixture at the race.

During Steve McQueen’s movie career, he was a well-known as a motocross racer as well as desert racer. He would use the alias “Harvey Mushman” in order to keep the studios and insurance companies blind of his extreme side. Steve McQueen had the need to race! He did his own stunts in several of his movies. Steve McQueen could ride better than most of the stunt-men at the time.

Today Red Bull’s Day in the Dirt has become one of the premier GPs in the country . Notables who have participated include Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Johnson along with many other motocross stars over the years! In the beginning the Grand Prix was much smaller and more of an industry and Hollywood crowd. Through the years this race has grown to numbers well over 1000 entries and catering to multiple classes. The best way the officials shake it up is adding classes like the SoCal reunion race that pits the old Indian Dunes, Saddleback and Carlsbad track racers of the day together. It is always great to see what riders in the 60s and 70s competed on, compared to the modern machinery of today.

There are classes for the two strokes, classes for the kids and even a women’s Grand Prix. One of the most exciting races is “the old switcheroo” ¬– a Grand Prix team race which brings stunt men of all ages in the film industry. Men, women, father, sons and special guests compete. An entry can have as many riders as they want during the moto. As soon as the rider comes into the pit, another rider is able to go out and continue the race.

The Bossa Nova Grand Prix three-man team race brings the fastest riders from intermediate to pro in the Moto industry. They team up with movie industry riders in a three-man team, scored in the Motocross des Nations style. If you still haven’t found a race to fit your flavor, you could always go for the Coup de Grace survival race. This race is over when the officials decide to drop the checkered flag. No one knows how long it will last. Of course there’s always the ultimate honor of the Iron Man. You have must compete in five events, including the Vintage GP or 2-stroke GP, Moto-a -GoGo, Coup de Grace and one other race of your choice. The Red Bull Day in the Dirt is a great time to hang out with friends, family and legends. It is also a good way to make some new friends! Definitely one to check off the ole bucket list!