GRAVETTE --Fred Overstreet, of F&M Powersports in Gravette, was guest speaker at the Dec. 16 Gravette Lions Club meeting to inform members about the upcoming Almosta Race motorcycle event.
Almosta Race is held every year on Jan. 1. The 2015 race will be the 14th annual event. Sign up is from 8 to 11 a.m. and the race starts at noon. Specially designed event trophies will be presented to riders taking first through 10th place.
Overstreet explained that in the first event, in 2002, 10 or 15 guys simply got together for a New Year's Day outing. They had so much fun they decided to have an annual get-together.
About 2006 the daughter of one of the men who instituted the race needed an operation in New York and the guys chipped in to help with travel expenses. They also began to help motorcycle riders who had been hurt. They enjoyed riding their cycles through the woods and raising money for good causes.
In 2009 the race became associated with the RiderDown Foundation, a national organization that assists injured riders based on need. About $3,200 was raised that first year. The race has become an annual event with all proceeds going to the foundation. Almosta Race is held at the Wildcat Ranch, 9897 Almosta Road, near Decatur. It draws more spectators each year. The race course, laid out on 300 acres, is 2 1/2 miles from one side to the other.
Almosta Race is a two-person team race. Each rider pays an entry fee of $20 and is paired with a partner selected in a drawing. "He may draw the name of his best friend and he may be paired with someone who will become his friend," Fred says. He told of one team, a rider from Oklahoma and one from Kansas City, who became good friends on their first ride together. They later went on to compete in the Baja 1000.
The race runs for three hours. Partners alternate throughout the race. Teams are divided based on speed and ability. Faster riders run a little longer course. Overstreet says the event has a unique format. "It's just a fun, relaxed atmosphere," he says, that has attracted riders from Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee and as far away as Minnesota and Canada.
The Almosta Race course features several unique elements. Many of them have been named. There is Dead Dog Holler, Pucker Hill, the Head Scratcher, Half a Bubble Off, The Luge, Big Sticky and Hudson Holler. One section, which drops off under a bridge, is called The Troll.
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to attend. They are welcome to bring their four-wheelers or bicycles. Camping space is available and spectators can come in their RVs and spend the night. There will be a fire pit with guitar picking and karaoke on New Year's Eve and chili is served at the end of the day on race day. There was no gate fee charged until 2014. Organizers decided to change that because it is a charity event and the objective is to raise money. Gate fee is $5, a nonperishable food item or an item of good, clean clothing. Gate proceeds go to the Manna Center in Siloam Springs.
The 2014 event was the biggest so far with 75 teams entered. With that many riders, the start is quite a spectacle, Fred says. He notes that $16,000 has been raised over the last three years. After the 2014 event organizers sent 550 pounds of food, 10 large bags of clothing and $608 to the Manna Center. Local riders who have been injured have been helped with funds, including one from Bentonville and one who lives just across the state line in Oklahoma.
A silent auction is part of Almosta Race. Items in the Almosta Auction include tires, a 26-inch mountain bike, gift certificates, Coleman camping gear, bike helmets and autographed jerseys from well-known motorcycle racers. The auction will begin on New Year's Eve.
Spectators who bring their ATVs and other motorized vehicles are permitted to drive on the Donkey Trail that traverses the ranch. They will be charged a fee of $20 per vehicle and are required to attend a drivers' meeting. Safety is uppermost and these drivers must be aware that the race course crosses the Donkey Trail eight times. Therefore they must be alert at all times for racers who may intersect their path.
Almosta Race will go on whatever the weather, Overstreet says: "Guys come to race no matter what." Over the years the race has been run in rain, snow, sleet and sometimes a combination of those. Other times it has been favored with 60 degree weather. But on Jan. 1, 2015, racers can expect some adverse weather, he notes.
Overstreet was pleased to report that no one has been hurt in the 14 years Almosta Race has been run. Maysville first responders come and participate in the event and in 2014 a Gravette ambulance was on hand. "We are glad for them to come but we want them to be bored to tears," he says. "We want them to go home and say, 'We didn't do a thing!'"
Overstreet invites everyone to attend Almosta Race. He promises an enjoyable New Year's Day experience.
Directions to the ranch: From Decatur go 2.3 miles north on Arkansas Highway 59, turn right on Bethlehem Road and follow the arrows. Entrance to the ranch is just off Bethlehem Road.
General News on 12/31/2014