Reno Gasette Journal 4-26-10

Dirt bikes the buzz in Virginia City

VIRGINIA CITY — C Street looked more like a racetrack than a small-town thoroughfare Saturday morning in Virginia City.

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Hundreds of motorcyclists wearing body armor and brightly colored uniforms revved the engines of their dirt bikes as a large cloud of exhaust slowly rose above the street. Nearby, throngs of bystanders watched anxiously, readying themselves for the 39th Virginia City Grand Prix.

The event, which continues Sunday, is expected to feature more than 1,000 racers, which would be a record.

Donnie Bird, president of the Virginia City Motorcycle Club, which produces the event, said 940 riders had registered by Saturday morning and that he expects to add at least 100 more before racing resumes at 10 a.m. Sunday.

“We had the biggest increase (in riders) this year, ever,” he said, “in this economy.”
Race entry fees range from $60 to $160 depending on class, but Bird said that’s only part of the expense.

“You’ve got the bike, you’ve got the replacement parts,” he said. “You’re easily going to spend a couple grand to get prepared for the race. Then, you’ve got the expense of food and travel and all that. That’s why a lot of people kind of make it a destination. So, they’ll race today (Saturday) and then they’ll stay in the Reno-Tahoe-Virginia City area.”

The grand prix is broken into two races, with riders in professional, expert and amateur classes competing Saturday and riders in women’s, novice and vintage/bomber classes racing Sunday. Bird said he thinks one reason the event is thriving is its reputation.

“There are a lot of people that race one time a year,” he said. “They’ll choose where they’re going to vacation and race, and for a lot of them, it’s here.”

‘Outlaw race’
Brandon Curtis of Rocklin, Calif., and John Condon of Plymouth, Calif., are among those who race only in Virginia City. They said they like the grand prix because it’s challenging, and they don’t need to belong to another organization, such as the American Motorcyclist Association, to compete.

The Virginia City Grand Prix is considered an “outlaw” race because it isn’t associated with a sanctioning body such as the AMA.

Racer Kyle Railton of Lake Tahoe said he likes that.

“It’s kind of nostalgic,” he said. “It’s no points for anybody, so guys are in a real good mood out here. ... It’s fun to come out and battle with your friends.”

Railton said the course is rocky and fast, and the toughest part is the length of the race.

“Last year I did six laps,” he said. “It was four hours and 46 minutes, so it’s a good day.”

Money helps charities, community
Janie Bird, Donnie Bird’s wife and secretary/treasurer for the Virginia City Motorcycle Club, said the grand prix costs about $20,000 to produce, and it typically brings in about $30,000 after expenses. Since the club is nonprofit, much of that money goes to its charity efforts, she said.

Bill Lynn, one of eight partners in Wright Stuff Antiques, a Virginia City antique co-op, said the event is not only fun, it’s good for business.

“It brings a lot of people in town, and they all spend money,” he said Saturday. “We usually don’t open until 10 or so. I had my first customer at 8 o’clock (Saturday).”
Bird said this year’s event attracted competitors from Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Connecticut and up and down the West Coast.

“Our biggest draw is northern and central California,” he said. “They love coming up here because they are so restricted in the riding areas over there. This is a real treat for them to come and be able to ride something that they normally can’t be on.”

Motorcycle club member Curt Chapman said he first became involved in the race about three years ago, and he was surprised at what a big deal the race is.

“So many people in Northern Nevada and elsewhere don’t know of it,” he said. “It’s truly legendary within a certain community, and it’s completely unknown within another.”