Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Nosbush family of New Ulm stand at the south end of the River Valley BMX track on German Street South in New Ulm. From left, Charley, Levi, Brittany, and Josh. State qualifier BMX races begin with a parade lap at 11:25 a.m. Sunday.

NEW ULM — Despite lots of wet weather this spring, the River Valley BMX track hosts the Minnesota State Series qualifying races Sunday thanks to dedicated volunteers.

Track operators Josh and Brittany Nosbush and Zach Dummer of New Ulm expect hundreds of competitors and spectators watching races involving competitors ranging from small children to mature adults.

“It’s our third year of operating the track. This year has been by far the most challenging so far. We’ve got the most volunteers this year, but we have the most work to be done because of the rain,” Josh Nosbush said.

“We rebuilt the track last fall. With the next design, it takes more work to get it race ready. Then the rain came,” he said.

His wife Brittany said volunteers play a big part in the track’s success.

“We couldn’t keep this track running without the number of volunteers we do. The club track is non-profit, relying on volunteers. There are many big families with everybody involved every week,” said Brittany Nosbush.

“We’ve been down at the track, spraying glue on it to keep it from washing away, until midnight sometimes,” said Josh Nosbush.

He said BMX competitors include entire families that compete on the same day on the same team.

“A lot of families come to the track here and practice together,” he added.

Brittany Nosbush said competitors are as young as age one to more than 60 years old.

Children up to age 5 can race on strider bikes that don’t have pedals but are propelled by children’s feet.

“With the weather this year, we’ve seen people come here even on Wednesday practice nights from St. Cloud and the Twin Cities, because there are so few tracks open this year,” said Brittany Nosbush.

The state qualifier races start at 11:25 a.m. on Sunday.

Non-qualifying races return to the track on Monday night with registration at 6 p.m. Races start at 7 p.m.

Competitors are invited to practice 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, weather permitting. The first night of practicing and racing is free. Loaner bikes and helmets are available. Riders should wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts.

“It’s a great time for kids to come down and try BMX riding. We answer questions about racing. Anybody that wants to learn about it should come down. People can message us at River Valley BMX on Facebook,” Josh Nosbush said.

One nice thing about BMX is nobody sits on the bench. Everybody competes.

“My kids (Charley 11, and Levi 9) love it,” said Brittany Nosbush.

The New Ulm BMX track is always open if it isn’t too wet to use.

The Nosbush kids talked about what they like about BMX riding.

“I like the new track, seeing friends and making new friends,” said Levi Nosbush, who began BMX riding at age three.

“I like hanging out with family and friends,” said Charley, who began at age three, didn’t compete for a few years and returned to the sport.

Brittany Nosbush said perhaps many people in New Ulm don’t know about BMX.

“I think the more people we can get out here to experience the sport, the more it will grow,” she added.