Even after so many freestyle motorcycle successes, including a silver medal in the 2001 X Games Big Air and the 2001 IFMA series championship, there is still no doubt about Dustin Miller's enthusiasm for the sport. Just consider the response he gave in a promotion for the FMX Gladiator Games when asked to name his best moment in riding - "Every day."
The 28-year-old Carson Valley product showed that same enthusiasm on Wednesday afternoon during a media session for the opening practice session of the new Nevada Motocross Park.
"It's pretty fun. Like any track, we're still breaking it in, but it's cool to have this here now," Miller said. "It's great for me because I live right over here in Fish Springs ... I rode here today."
Miller was just one of a handful of heavyweights in the sport who turned out to ride at the new, though still temporary, park that opened for the first time at its location on Pinenut Road across from the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Matt Buyten, Mike Mason and Adam Jones are all top-level competitors who live in Carson Valley and Carson City who were there as well.
"They all grew up here ... they've been X Games gold medalists ... these guys are all phenomenal athletes," said Steve Brown, park developer and local rider.
"Those guys will all be back out here for our big freestyle event on Labor Day weekend. It's going to be a lot of fun."
This facility has been designed to accommodate professionals as well as the entire family to ride and even watch events. Local races are set for Saturday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Other highlights include a vintage racing event and local race from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 25, and a three-day Labor Day weekend event featuring an exhibition and pro/local races. The series concludes on Sept. 27 with a local race.
"It's awesome. Just to have a track is great," said Adam Conway, 17, who just took out his pro license. "There are a couple of tracks in Reno and Carson City used to have one that isn't around anymore.
"This track is great," Conway added. "It's very rider-friendly. The main focus with the track was to make sure of the safety. There are some big jumps, but everything is safe for the riders, from the pros on down to beginners."
Miller, whose 36 IFMA wins makes him one of the most successful competitors ever in the freestyle series, honed his skills riding on trails and dirt roads in the Johnson Lane area.
"You can ride back there, but it's a lot different," he said. "It's not watered down like this, it's rocky, hot and dusty ... this is just so much nicer."
"It's cool to have something close. There are a lot of people around here who are going to use this. It's good for the kids ... this is where I met all my friends ... now their dads can bring them here."
Dick Mann, 75 years old, is an American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) legend now living in the Carson Valley.
On Tuesday, he smiled as he watched the younger riders rode on the new track.
"It looks like a really good facility," said Mann, who began racing professionally in 1952 and was inducted into the AMA's Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. "This is a lot different from the what you see on television now. It's got more of a real old school motocross flavor with a lot of variety. It lets people with more versatility have a better chance, which makes for better racing."
Mann, who grew up in Reno and has lived in the Carson Valley for 12 years, was the first racer to win every AMA Grand National category, including dirt track, road racing and motocross. He won the Dayton 200 twice, won 24 AMA nationals and was a two-time Grand National champion. His biography, "Mann of His Time," was written by Ed Youngblood and published in 2002.
Mann pointed out how a local facility will benefit the talented riders who have emerged from this area.
"We have five, six kids in this area who are top-level competitors," he said.
"They just need a place to go to keep their skills sharp and to keep their bodies in shape. This is a tough sport; you need to ride a lot to stay in shape."
Douglas County granted a temporary approval to build the track on county-owned land in May. Brown hopes this is the start of something that will continue on for a long time.
"I've been riding and racing since I was 5 and we've always needed a place for kids and family to come together and ride in a controlled environment," Brown said. "What better way to do that in Douglas County? And what better way to give back to a sport that has been so good to all of us."
Harvie Keith and Brown led the effort to put the facility, and there was plenty of help along the way.
"This is not just one person. A lot of people have helped ... kids, their moms and dads, even grandpas and grandmas," Brown said. "It hasn't soaked in yet just how happy I am. To have a place to ride now, it's like happy birthday every day."
