Kansas ExpoCentre crews unloaded 150 truckloads of dirt onto the arena floor for the AMA Arenacross series this weekend. Hundreds of dirt-bike riders will race and bump around the arena for a chance to take home a title, including a rider from Auburn, KS. 24-year-old Tanner Moore said he first got the racing fever back in elementary school. Now he travels the country doing what he loves.
"My very first race ever was an Arenacross in Topeka, and I was seven years old," Moore said. "I started doing, you know, being in the motocross circuit and being from the Midwest, you've got to go indoors if you want to race in the winter. We always packed up and hit all the arenacrosses and just kind of took it from there."
Moore said although he enjoys getting to pursue his passion all over the country, there's something special about being home.
"It's really exciting to ride in front of my hometown crowd, but I'm a little nervous." Moore said.
Lindsey Scheltema also travels with the AMA riders, but her talents don't shine behind the handlebars, but from behind a microphone. Scheltema serves as the Arenacross spokesperson. She said the event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
"It's a tight arena, so they get very close. Sometimes they bump and run into each other," Scheltema said. "It's extreme."
After years of racing experience, Moore shared his best advice for young riders wanting to get started in the sport.
"Be nice to your parents," Moore said. "If I didn't have my parents, I wouldn't be able to do this at all. And be careful if you're going to try it at all, wear a helmet."
The event kicks off Friday, Jan. 13 and wraps up Saturday, Jan. 14. The Amateur Day closes out the weekend on Sunday, Jan. 15. Tickets are available at the Kansas ExpoCentre box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at both www.arenacross.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and the racing starts at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, doors open at 9:00 a.m.
