QC Hosts USA BMX Gold Cup Qualifier, Championships
February 09, 2023
RE: USA BMX Gold Cup Qualifier this Weekend, QC Hosts Championship in Oct.
DATES: February 10-12, 2023
LOCATION: Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA
350 riders, ages younger than 5 years to 70+, from across the Midwest are expected for the USA BMX sanctioned races this weekend at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. One of the racers this weekend will be Kittie Weston-Knauer, from Des Moines. At 74 years old, she is the oldest female BMX rider in the U.S.
This year the Quad Cities is part of the Gold Cup Series in the North Central region and this weekend is the first qualifier race. It was recently announced the USA BMX Gold Cup Championship for the North Central region will take place at the East Moline BMX Speedway on October 6-8, 2023. More than 750 riders are anticipated for the Gold Cup Championship. The Quad Cities last hosted this championship event in 2017.
The USA BMX Gold Cup Series involves a rider counting his/her best two scores from Gold Cup Qualifiers in a region and by racing both Saturday and Sunday of the Gold Cup Championship Final in that same region. In addition to awarding a Gold Cup jacket and #1 plate to the winner in each pointed age & skill level, Gold Cup #2 & #3 plates are also awarded. Riders will only bring the points earned from Gold Cup Qualifiers held within that region to the Gold Cup Championship Final in that region.
“BMX is a sport that continues to grow locally and nationally, and we are excited to support the regional races this weekend and host the national-level Gold Cup Championships for the North Central region in October,” said Joan Kranovich, Vice President of Business Growth & Director, Sports QC. “The visitors that come to the Quad Cities because of these races infuse money into our visitor economy and contribute to the growth of our sports landscape.”
This Weekend Schedule:
- Friday – Double point race - Registration from 5:30-7 pm; Races at 7 pm.
- Saturday – Iowa State Qualifier Triple Points Race with Registration from 10 am-12:30 pm; Races at 1:00 pm. End around approx. 4:30 pm. Saturday’s race is the first Iowa State Qualifier of the year.
- Sunday – Triple Point USA BMX Gold Cup Qualifier with Registration 10 am-12:30 pm; Races at 1:00 pm. End around approx. 4:30 pm.
Spectators are encouraged to come and watch this sporting event with free admission.
The Quad Cities is the only place in the world that has cement flat track BMX racing. After operating inside the QCCA Expo Center in December and early January, Mississippi Valley BMX has now moved to the Fair Center building at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. Mississippi Valley BMX operates weekly BMX racing for a limited time at the Fairgrounds on the seasonal 600-foot indoor BMX track with different style jumps.
Race Director Paul DePauw says, “We are keeping flat track BMX alive. This was a popular style of racing 40 years ago. We have been doing this throw-back style of racing in the QC for the past 12 years. It has been a good introduction of BMX racing for kids, and many have started racing this way. It’s also a great indoor activity in the winter.”
DePauw adds, “This is the 32nd year of BMX racing in the Quad Cities. Over the years, some of the fastest riders in the country have come from the QC. It would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers.”
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism. The Bring It QC program connects Quad Citizens with the Visit Quad Cities team to identify potential new meetings, events, conventions, and conferences that could be held in the Quad Cities regional destination. Bring It QC provides another way for Visit Quad Cities to identify new business and lead generation opportunities to have an even bigger impact on our local economy and quality of life initiatives.
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Media Contact: Paul DePauw, Director, Mississippi Valley BMX and East Moline BMX Speedway, 309-791-1670 cell