Chas Burbridge has been involved with dirt bikes and racing since he was a child. It started when his dad found an old moped in the trash and fixed it for him. Later, he had a three-wheeler, and next a four-wheeler; then he got a dirt bike. He started competing in Motocross and Supercross at approximately 11 years old. Though he’s not ridden in eight years, Burbridge did get back on a week and a half ago when he hosted the WeBe Racing event on his family’s property, Aug. 15-17. He said it was a great experience.
WeBe Racing is owned by MJ and Jacki Dodson, of New Mexico, and their company hosts racing events in the Four Corners area. WeBe Racing has many desert-oriented races or woods-type races with lengthy courses that average five to 10 miles.
The way it works is that riders have two hours to get their best laps in once the clock starts. Awards are based on overall times. Burbridge said it’s really about racing yourself and the clock. Riders have a transponder on their helmets, and the course is marked. It’s basically an honor system, Burbridge said, though there are event staff posted up to make sure competitors stay on course. The helmet transponder records time.
There were no jumps on the Nucla course, though Burbridge said on the Nasland’s property, where the course went through, there was water, and it created a mud hole. He said some novice riders couldn’t get out of that, and it did lead to a 30-bike pile up. As a result, the course was rerouted and cut by a quarter of a mile.
Youth, novice, amateur and professional were the categories, but there was a women’s division too. The kids entered with bikes of various sizes. Burbridge said he estimated that as many as 500 people attended the event.
Last year, the event was held at Groundhog, hosted by Kirk Yerke. This was Burbridge’s first year to host. He said it took a leap of faith; he knows there’s a risk with getting hurt in dirt biking. Though, he had the insurance on hand and trusted all would be well.
“It worked out beautifully and could turn into something pretty big as years go on,” he told the Forum over the weekend.
The crowd was very clean and respectful. Burbridge said after the event, the only evidence he found was a total of five water bottles that were accidentally left behind. He said there was very little waste, and the campers came ready to be self-sufficient.
To add to the fun, the Dodsons organized karaoke for the dirt bikers, something Burbridge said was quite fun.
He estimated most were visitors from out of town, though some local people attended. He admitted neither he nor the organizers really advertised locally for the Nucla race. Next year, they aim to do more. Burbridge said there are ideas for supporting the local economy in the future. The Dodsons told the Forum they would love to support community more and gather local people together.
Burbridge said he was impressed with the efficiency of the event. The Dodsons bring their own medic, food trailer and more.
“It’s a cool deal, and they’ve got it going on,” Burbridge said. “They pay their crew well, and it shows.”
After the awards presentation, many friends — some of whom Burbridge hasn’t seen in years — got together and began to freestyle, jumping their bikes for a while, just for fun.
“I went out cold turkey and hit the ramp,” he said.
It meant something to him, since the last time he’d ridden he wrecked and had some injuries. He’s just not ridden in years, though it has been such a big part of his life. He said it felt good to get out there.
Next year Nucla’s WeBe Racing event will be even better, he said.
The Dodsons told the Forum they agreed, and the date was already set for Sept. 19-20 next year in Nucla.
“Special thanks goes to Chas and Nasland and Carver,” Dodson said on Saturday, “and we are really looking forward to making it bigger and better for everybody."
