Charles Wants Motocross Again

LAST WEEKEND’S RED BULL FIM Motocross of Nations at Budd’s Creek Speedway was a big enough hit with the Charles County Commissioners that they want a motocross site for our own. 

“I couldn’t believe the jumps they were doing,” exclaimed Board of Commissioners President, Wayne Cooper (D).

During Tuesday’s legislation session, Cooper introduced the subject of the former motocross practice site which informally existed in a seemingly disused meadow at the intersection of Marshall’s Corner Road and MD 227 in White Plains.  Unfortunately, the riders were trespassing and had to give up the site.  According to Cooper, the riders asked the county for another site where they could set up another practice track.

Cooper, who admittedly knew little about the sport, said that he mistakenly had people looking for a nice level bit of land with a “nice lake to ride around” or other scenery to appreciate.  It wasn’t until last weekend that he realized he was looking for the exact opposite from what the riders needed. 

According to Cooper, local riders attending Motocross of Nations renewed their request for a practice site.  They reportedly told the commissioner to give them “the nastiest piece of land [the county] could find,” and the riders would make improvements.  Commissioner Sam Graves (D) pointed out the improvements the riders made at the former site before they had to leave.

“We should do whatever we can to find something for them,” added Commissioner Gary Hodge (D). 
Hodge mentioned how exciting the Budd’s Creek event was.  Cooper agreed and added that a motocross practice site would be a great amenity for the county. 

Last weekend’s event was the first time that Motocross of Nations was held in the US in twenty years.  About 40,000 spectators and 99 riders from 35 countries attended the event; including Governor Martin O’Malley, and local VIPs from across the area.  While official numbers aren’t yet available, the Board expects the event to have been a big economic boon to the county.

“Every room in the county was rented,” said Cooper. 

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