Trail Rider Magazine

18 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com Shady Acres, ahhhhh…sounds so relaxing…like a day spa or a re rement home. It is only when you add in the "Motocross Park" surname that the true nature of this Western Maryland gem is uncovered. To be fair, during AHRMA's yearly visit to the expansive former dairy farm, there is certain to be more than a handful of re re- ment-aged racers and support crew members, a plethora of vintage motorcycles in service far beyond the original manufacturer's expected re rement date, and many dollars of would-be re rement income spent on such motorcycles and the accompanying farkles and fuel. And, despite plenty of mud baths in recent years, this is hardly a day spa. But I suppose it can be relaxing in the way race experiences can be considered therapeu c and me spent frater- nizing with the AHRMA race family is an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Certainly, for the AHRMA volunteers from the na onal scene and the hos ng Mid-Atlan c region, the challenge of execu ng sign-up, tech inspec on, rider mee ngs, starts, scoring, awards, and all the other unseen tasks throughout a two-day Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Na onal Motocross and Cross Country event is hardly relaxing, but is rather sa sfying when pulled off and every- one has had a great me. While the volunteers aim to please, so to do land- owners Paula and Tim Thomas, who have historical- ly been strong supporters of the vintage scene and always prepare the Shady Acres Motocross Park property with enthusiasm and commitment. As in the past few itera ons of this early July event, Tim has trimmed and arrowed a varied cross-country loop, cut a fresh natural terrain grass track to cater to the vintage motocrosser, and lled and mani- cured the exis ng tradi onal motocross course for the weekend finale post-vintage/next-gen ac on. All of which have become well-regarded in recent years as fit-for-purpose and wildly entertaining. With a pit area packed full of racers, the promise of decent weather, and some cool Fourth of July holiday vibes, this weekend was a ton of fun. I know I just said decent weather, and while that was the overwhelming truth for the weekend, there was a touch of late evening and overnight rain leading into Saturday morning. However, this slight devia on was a dust mi ga on blessing and by the me tech inspec on opened for business on race day, the weather had cleared and would remain pleasant through the dura on of the event. The vintage racers lined up for the first of four cross-country starts over two days and faced the worst of the rain's a ermath as first on course. Shady Acres Motocross Park Shady Acres Motocross Park AHRMA National Cross Country AHRMA National Cross Country By Joshua Schucker By Joshua Schucker Photos By Paula Kyle-Stephens Photos By Paula Kyle-Stephens

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