Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm BMX rider Elliott Schoo, 15, (23, far right), leads two racers at the state BMX qualifier event at the New Ulm BMX track Sunday.

NEW ULM — A BMX state qualifier drew a large crowd of people, many of whom came in recreational vehicles and parked them around the bicycle racing track in South Park Sunday.

Michael Kent of Morton and his children were among the participants. The event appeared to be a family affair for many other people too.

“There is no age limit. Kids can start racing at age two on a bike without pedals (balance bike),” Kent said. “BMX is an Olympic sport now too.”

New Ulm BMX track manager Dan Bauer talked about why he is involved with the BMX racing.

“It’s the smiles on kids’ faces that drives me to do what I do,” Bauer said. “Anybody can do it. Kids as young as 18 months all the way to people in their 60s have raced. Nobody has to sit on the bench. If you come here and balance a bike, you can race.”

New Ulm BMX cruiser competitor Elliott Schoo, 15, was among the racers. He and New Ulm racer Cole Frederick have qualified to compete on Team USA at the World BMX Championships in Rock Hill, S.C. the last week of July. School talked about what he enjoys about BMX.

“I get nervous, but it’s a lot of fun racing,” Schoo said.

Kids like to start BMX racing at a young age.

Danica Kent of Morton, 9, has been racing since age four. Other racers include a retired school principal in her late 60s.

There is no spectator fee. Nobody gets cut from the team.

“BMX racing is an individual sport and is designed to build self confidence and self esteem in anyone who participates. Races are organized according to age groups and skill levels, so everyone gets the opportunity to compete on a fair and competitive basis. Even beginner riders have the chance to race safely with other new riders,” according to the River Valley BMX Facebook website.

The New Ulm BMX track hosts races in spring, summer and fall every Monday night. Local races are broadcast live on Facebook.

The BMX format was derived from motocross racing. BMX bicycle races are sprint races over man-made moguls (hills) on purpose-built, single-lap race tracks.

Tracks, found in many Minnesota cities including Mankato consist of a starting gate for up to eight racers, a groomed, serpentine, dirt race course with jumps, rollers and a finish line. The sport is family-oriented and largely participant-driven with riders ranging in age from 2 to 70 and over. Professional ranks for men and women ages 18 to 40 are the only levels where cash is won racing.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/pg/RiverValleybmxNewUlm/about//?ref=page_internal; www.usabmx.com/tracks/1337.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.