AMA: Motorcycles (Everywhere) in Du Quoin

After celebrating its 30th, 31st and 32nd anniversaries at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) Sports Dirt Track Grand National Championships again makes a return trip to Perry County.

The 33rd annual event begins with practice Saturday afternoon and runs all week long at the historic fairgrounds.

Racing actually begins Sunday on the world famous and lightning-fast Magic Mile with 125cc and Pro Sports Flat Track action.

The final six days of competition are contested on or inside the half-mile oval, located near the grounds front gate along Route 51.

The week then concludes next Saturday night with July 6 held over as a rain day.

AMA Sports offers 21 National Championship classes for riders 4 and older, including mini-bikes.

A combined total of nearly 2,000 riders entered the first three DTGC events at Du Quoin, with more attendance records possibly in sight for this year.

Despite economic concerns around the country— and the continuing increases for fuel and transportation costs, Joe Holter of the AMA says participant numbers shouldn't be a problem in Du Quoin this year.

Over 900 pre-entries have been received for the DTGC. A few hundred more are expected to funnel in this weekend. The exact number won't be determined until competition begins.

"One thing about it is that racing and the trip to Du Quoin is a priority for a lot of these folks," Holter said. "They are racing families and many use this as their vacation. It is tough everywhere but this is a very family-oriented sport and everyone just loves coming to Du Quoin and the fairgrounds."

The AMA Horizon Award will again be handed out, climaxing the season-long series. Given to the best of the best in each championship event, the Horizon is the AMA's most prestigious honor.

Other awards include championships in each class of racing (TT, 1/2 mile and mile) with Grand Championships bases on finishes during each division. Two featured awards are the Vet/Senior Dirt Tracker of the Year and Youth Dirt Tracker of the Year.

Following its one day on the worlds fastest clay oval, riders tackle the all-weather stone and limestone surface on the half-mile circuit

The freshly built TT layout inside the short track greets riders on Tuesday. TT racing includes a series of right hand turns and jumps.

Three of the four final days of racing are contested on the half-mile, which trains some of the world's fastest Grand Circuit Harness horses 51 weeks out of the year.

Admission and parking are again covered with a daily price of just $10 per person.

"That's a great value and great price to see just some fantastic racing," Holter said. 

Bringing an estimated 5,000 visitors to Du Quoin every day, the DTCG week pumps plenty of badly-needed dollars into the local economy.

While most racing teams camp inside the fairgrounds, fans quickly fill the hotels and motels in and around Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Benton and Carbondale. Some stay as far away as Mt. Vernon, Sparta and Marion. Race crews, entrants, fans and organizers were expected in Du Quoin as early as Thursday afternoon.

"The folks in your community (Du Quoin) have welcomed the AMA with open arms and the fairgrounds people are tremendous. We are happy to be here again," said Holter. "Du Quoin has three world-class tracks right inside the fairgrounds. Its pretty amazing."

The Dirt Track Grand Nationals started with the Winter Short Track Series at Daytona beach in March. The circuit continued with races in California, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Tennessee and several other states through the end of June.

"This is our big event of the year and everyone wants to be here," AMA Flat Track Director Ken Saillant said.

"Du Quoin is the one everyone looks forward to."