Benton Speedway MX aims to grow sport, hosts open ride on Saturday

BENTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Back in December, Matt Dorris began building this motocross track on the Benton Speedway property for his son, Wyatt, but this weekend, more than 100 riders will make their way to Benton Speedway MX. 

“It’s been a big hit, I mean it’s been a really popular track so far, and it seems like we’re constantly growing,” Matt Dorris said.

The track has only been open since the beginning of March, but Dorris says it has already attracted top talent.  

“We have good amateur riders, and we’ve had a lot of pro riders starting to come out, and they say they have to travel to Florida to get this kind of condition, the sand, that’s what they all want to train on,” he said.

Most of all, he said the young riders are crucial to the future success of motocross. 

“Those kids are our future riders,” he said. “These kids all have dreams like some of these pro guys coming out, and just to see the excitement that they have for it is enough for me.” 

With the closest track over an hour away, 14-year-old Wyatt is thankful to have a track so close to home. 

“I think it’s cool to have a local track around here to ride instead of driving an hour and 40 minutes to St. Louis to ride,” he said.

Ryder Haney, another up-and-coming motocross rider, said this track has taken his skills to the next level. 

“This track has helped me quite a bit in my corners with it being sand,” he said. “If you can ride sand, you can ride a lot of other places a whole lot easier.” 

And in the world of motocross, Haney said there is a sense of camaraderie amongst the riders. 

“It’s just a big family,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody, and you just all become one because you all love doing the same thing.” 

Saturday’s open ride will be from 10 am to 4 pm. Professional motocross rider Brett Greenley will sign autographs from 10 to 11 am. Admission is $25 per rider and $10 for spectators.