Story by: Richard Axtell

At the heart of the State Fairgrounds in Tulsa each Thanksgiving weekend you will find a very dedicated group of BMXers. Each looking to bring home the honor of a trophy and stories of the race to end the season in the biggest BMX race each year the ABA Grand Nationals. Many come to compete and few come home victorious. It is a time to renew old friendships and rivalries, make new friends and just have some fun.

The trip to Tulsa is a short trip for the racers in District OK01. At less than 100 miles only one other track has a shorter distance to travel to race at the Expo Center. Although there was a great showing of riders from OK01 not all came to race this year, many were there to watch. Some due to injuries and others didn't race for many other reasons. There were about 30 riders from OK01 that raced this year (a complete list of riders is shown below) and with 10 riders going to the MAINS we had a great list of riders who brought home some high honors in ABA BMX to OK01. A list of riders who raced in the MAINS along with finish placements is shown below.

The OKBMXPA wants to thank all our riders who went and demonstrated their determination and set a good example for all others whether through competition or as a spectator.

Built by: Billy Au & Billy Allen
Length: approximately 1100 feet
Number of turns: 3
Build time: 3 days

The day started early and saw many people rushing around to get the day started. The weather was a shade on the cool side with a brisk north wind and temps running from the lower 30's in the morning into 50's in the afternoon. The clear skies and north wind encouraged those who ventured outside most of the day to find a sunny spot to stand in to get warmed by the sunshine. Today is the only day set aside to practice on the track before the races begin. With at least 2 practice sessions that day for each group of riders and only about 30 minutes of practice at each session it makes for a day of 'time on your hands' along with the excitement of riding the new track. Some used their free time for exploring vendors row and collecting autographs from the PRO's who came to fight for the title of #1 finish for the year and the cup which is presented to each winner.

A picture of one of the OK01 riders getting autographs can be seen at: http://www.bmxmania.com/
The photo is of Brett Kiser (OK01) getting the signature of AA Pro Danny Nelson with Warwick Stevenson in the background, both Nelson and Warwick are top competitors for the AA Pro title this year.

With a Practice Schedule to start at 7:00 am and ending at 9:25 pm it would be a full day of rider practice and a few glimpses of things to come. Many riders looked at the PRO section and there were many attempts to conquer the beast but few made it with ease. The PRO section was not something just any rider would ride. It was a thing of beauty from a distance or the other hand it was not so forgiving to those who ventured down it path. It remained to be seen who in the PRO ranks would go pass that way to victory.

RACE OF CHAMPIONS
482 moto's
227 quarters
140 semis
105 MAINS

Today is the start of the racing and we watched as the lucky few who were invited to race in the Race of Champions began to show how hot the competition level would be all weekend. As said the ROC is an invitation race with the riders who are the top amateur riders from the ABA ranks.

Only riders finishing in the top 10 of their age and skill level, according to state points from riders who raced in their 2002 State Championship Series. Those who win here are awarded a special number plate (red background with a white #1) which shows all who race against them to expect the highest level of competition.

NAG 5 Challenge
National Age Group race.

Riders from each age group in boys 15 thru 28 compete for NAG numbers. Like the ROC it is the top 5 riders from National Events and had some heated races this year. The results of these races are available at ababmx.com and will not be published here.

Riders who win their NAG group receive a special number plate which has a gray background with black numbers, only numbers 1 thru 10 are awarded per group in this race.

Pro Spectacular
This is a PRO race and has all the PRO's race for this years purse of $3000.

Nirve's Kyle Bennett wins the BIG check. Way to go Kyle.

King of Dirt

Air, air and more air is what we say tonight.
Travis Postany attempted a double backflip, he didn't pull off the trick.

584 moto's

The 25^th Anniversary ABA Grands are about to begin in a BIG way as always the anticipation in high and the riders are pumped for the event. This is the Grand event of BMX and is a large event drawing riders from around the world. The track is in great shape and most of the riders have had an opportunity to practice on this new track which was a great lay out and a tough track to ride. The weather was cool in the morning but by afternoon it was just beautiful outside and the competition kept it hot inside all day long.

Today was the first of two rounds of elimination motos and had riders from all ages and experience levels. With nearly 600 motos there was time to enjoy the event and see some sites in the Expo Center. With many booths set up by manufacturers, bike shops, tracks and teams there was huge variety of sights for everyone. As usual the ABA had their booth with the standard selection of items with ABA and Grands logo's, caps, hats, shirts ,socks, t-shirts, sweats, jackets, bags along with decals. On Saturday the selection got even larger for some items as the remainder of the shirts not sold at most all the National Events were on sale for one last time this year.

MAINS:
110 moto's

Third round of elimination motos to determine who raced in the MAINS. This was the last chance to qualify for the BIG race. All eye's were on those favorite riders who everyone wanted to race in the MAINS. Many came to qualify and many didn't make the cut today. Even not making it to the next round is OK because this is such a big race the riders who don't qualify know riders who do and they come together to better each other, that is what it is about and this is the time for helping each other. It is a grand thing to see and it is these times which make the stories for the future and brings out the true nature of a BMXer, to compete and have a good time. These are the times all parents, track directors, coaches, sponsors and the ABA work so hard to bring about for the riders and this is the time the riders show themselves, awards are not the only thing to BMX. The building of real people is an important part of BMX and these are the times where BMX shines.