Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Last week Sideline Sid paid a return visit to the Tauranga BMX Club track at Cambridge Road. It is over four years since he went to see the then fledging track around the time of the move from Sulphur Point.

What he found was an outstanding complex, which is a credit to the myriad of volunteers that have transformed the site from a rubbish dump into a top-flight BMX track.

At the time of the first visit, the track had been formed and the corners banked for competition, but the necessary inter-structure for serious competition was awaiting completion.

Today the banked corners have been sealed, an impressive start put in place and a purpose built administration building on the track perimeter has been built.

While little versed in BMX tracks, it appears that there were several course options catering for all levels of competition, from the sprocket racers (Under-7s) to the riders with national and international aspirations.

The big advantage of the Cambridge Road Park that borders the BMX track is the ample parking for the big days of racing and that the park can be locked at night to deter vandals and their accompanying mayhem.

A little research on the big-wide-web revealed that the standard BMX bike is on a 20-inch wheel with the Cruisers utilising a 24-inch wheel or bigger.

The advent of Cruiser racing turned BMX into a family sport, with a good number of Western Bay parents joining their children in riding the Tauranga track.

What was originally seen as a pastime for bored youngsters is now a serious sport, with BMX Racing in our country coming under the auspices of Cycling NZ.

The introduction of BMX as a medal sport at the 2008 Olympics introduced the excitement of the jostling for position and the resulting spills to television audiences worldwide.

Sarah Walker, who grew up and honed her BMX skills from the age of 10 in Kawerau, is one of the flag bearers for BMX in our country.

A World Championship Crown in 2009 and a Silver Medal at the 2012 London Olympics tells the tale of a world class athlete. Sarah's vision for success is displayed on her website which states ‘Courage is resistance to fear – master of fear – not absence of fear'.

Another to wear the Silver Fern in BMX at the London Olympics is Kurt Pickard, who was born in Tauranga and attended Tauranga Boys College.

Kurt says in his profile: 'Race BMX is what I do,” which has brought him 14 national titles over the years. Success in a round of the USA BMX National Series last year has propelled him on to the big stage.

Some 12 months out from the Rio Olympics, both Sarah and Kurt will be leaving no stone unturned in their quest to stand on the podium in Rio.

The day that Sideline Sid was at the track, a solo BMX rider showcased his skills to an audience of one.

You could see the attraction of the sport, with the power down the runway start to the adrenalin-laced big jumps and ripping around the corners at top speed.

Reading the nearby notice board revealed that the Tauranga BMX Club have a sprocket racing group, with club bikes available for the first timers.

BMX looks to be a great all-round introductory sport for youngsters, teaching coordination and balance and self-reliance out on the track.