IT WILL be generation BMX tomorrow as bikers of all ages gear themselves up for a day of racing in New Waltham.
Families and friends will race in an open four-man race event at the £45,000 BMX track off St Clement's Way which opened less than a year ago.
Organised by Giving Young People Opportunities (Gypo), which is responsible for the track, members hope it will not only show the young riders what they are capable of, but the rest of the village too.
Gypo treasurer Chris Stanforth said: "This will be the first time we have done anything at the new tracks. It is a great way of letting people know we are here, every week, whatever the weather.
"We have got lots of really good bikers that come here and this is a chance for them to show what they can do."
The day is in association with British Cycling and will see expert officials come to the tracks to referee and watch our local kids race.
And it isn't just for children. There will also be adult races, which has attracted much attention from the old BMXers from the YMCA track in the 1980s, some of whom have children who now use the tracks in New Waltham.
Among them is Jonty Maw, who will race with his daughter Georgia, 11, son David, 5, and his nephews, Locco and Lerenzo.
Jonty's parents have sponsored the trophies in memory of his brother, David – a three time world champion BMXer – who was killed in a car accident aged 19 in 1996.
Jonty said: "Being here brings back memories from the 1980s. Me and my children all race as a family, just like I did back in the day.
"The kids love it and it has given me a new lease of life. We are all going to race on Sunday, all we are hoping for is some good fun and no broken arms or legs!"
Georgia added: "My friends get sick of me talking about BMXing but I love it! I will race, but I just want to go back to school in one piece!"
Elliott Thomson, 13, will also be racing. He is among the best bikers on the tracks and Chris has hopes of taking him and friend, Lewis Willows, to regional competitions and beyond in the future.
Elliott said: "I started coming here when it opened. It is really good and I am excited about the race. We will be able to show the village what we can do. We come here every day and we never get bored of it."
There will also be live music from DJs and the GYPO sound system, a hog and rooster roast, beer tent and shops and stands.
Trophies will be awarded to first, second and third and medals for fourth to eighth place. There will also be a raffle and an auction.
Keith Fenwick, another 1980s BMXer, whose family, among others, helped build the tracks at the YMCA, is now a fundraiser for the tracks in New Waltham – and invites local businesses to show their support for the facility, which costs more than £4,000 a year to maintain.
He said: "It is here to stay but we need to keep maintaining it and improving it.
"Sunday is going to be mint, it'll be magic, we want everyone down here, having fun and getting stuck in."
All money raised will go to Gypo. Safety equipment is required, including helmets, gloves, long-sleeved tops and pants.
More details
To find out more, visit www.facebook.com/gypo.lincolnshire or www.gypoinfo.org
