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Soaring hundreds of feet into the air, landing on unforgiving, rugged terrain, and taking the chance of breaking every single bone in his body – just to gain a win.
This is the type of entertainment local businessman and motocross racer Jeff Robbins considers fun.
Robbins is one of four partners that own the Hilltop Motocross Park, which is located five miles north of Mexico and open to a host of dirt bike and four-wheeler races, as well as being a challenging course for those who just want to ride their bikes or quads for pleasure.
On April 11, Hilltop is hosting a competition for ATVs and four-wheelers. Entry fee for the one-day event is $30 for racers, and $10 for spectators.
Started in 2007 by racing enthusiast Steve Miller of Mexico, the Hilltop is a motocross-style natural terrain about 1.5 miles long – which features a 20-man starting gate, (40 for bikes), off-chamber turns, jumps up to 100 feet in length, option lanes, and uphill and downhill jumps.
Robbins said the reason he and his partners chose to purchase the track a year ago, was simply for the "thrill of the sport."
"Motocross racing is becoming more and more popular, and steadily growing – mainly because of the adrenaline rush, but also because it offers a great family environment," Robbins told The Ledger recently. Racers can be anywhere from beginners to professional; male or female. Robbins has been racing 10 years locally, semi-professionally and on the expert level. The Laddonia native used to compete in national races. Now his main focus is local and county fair races.
"I was exposed to it as a kid; riding three-wheelers every weekend with my dad," Robbins recalled. Robbins also raced Monster Jams and at county fairs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Taylorsville and Carthage, Ill., Finger Lakes in Columbia, Bowling Green, Vandalia, Shel-bina and Troy, to name a few.
He also owns and operates Robbins Cycles, located at the corner of Agricultural and Liberty streets in Mexico. The shop services and sells ATVs, parts for street and motor bikes, as well as water crafts and snowmobiles. Additionally, he and his brother offer a quad riding school, where they teach everything dealing with racing and ATV.
Motocross racing, Robbins said, is not a cheap sport. Some racers he said, invest as much as $20,000.
"A racer can sink unlimited amounts of money into the sport, easily," he said. "Cause, you're always making modifications (that can be quite expensive) to give it more power."
Robbins admits motocross racing can also be "a little" dangerous. In his career, he's broken his collarbone and sustained many other minor injuries. He's currently sporting a metal plate in his left arm from a 2007 Kentucky race.
"Anyone who races seriously has broken bones," he said. "After you lay around for six weeks, you're ready to go again."
Like everything else, Robbins said motocross racing has been impacted by the economic crisis. People aren't as interested in the small track races – like Hilltop – as much the bigger "money paying" ones, he said.
"It's made people more choosey about where they race," Robbins explained. "Trophies are given to amateur classes, and monetary prizes are given to the expert racers – mainly because the sport is so costly."
The motoracing season starts March 6 at Finger Lakes State Park. Track is currently open, weather permitting. The daily cost is $5.
The advantage of having a local track, Robbins said, is that it "gives people a personal look at a sport that they would normally only get to see on TV," plus it brings in additional revenue.
"It brings business to Mexico's motels and fuel stations, plus it offers people a glimpse at an exciting sport; it's not everyday you get to see a 500-pound four-wheeler go 15 feet into the air.
"This is the type of fun that Hilltop offers," he said. Bleachers, restrooms and concessions are available on the grounds.
Soaring hundreds of feet into the air, landing on unforgiving, rugged terrain, and taking the chance of breaking every single bone in his body – just to gain a win.
This is the type of entertainment local businessman and motocross racer Jeff Robbins considers fun.
Robbins is one of four partners that own the Hilltop Motocross Park, which is located five miles north of Mexico and open to a host of dirt bike and four-wheeler races, as well as being a challenging course for those who just want to ride their bikes or quads for pleasure.
On April 11, Hilltop is hosting a competition for ATVs and four-wheelers. Entry fee for the one-day event is $30 for racers, and $10 for spectators.
Started in 2007 by racing enthusiast Steve Miller of Mexico, the Hilltop is a motocross-style natural terrain about 1.5 miles long – which features a 20-man starting gate, (40 for bikes), off-chamber turns, jumps up to 100 feet in length, option lanes, and uphill and downhill jumps.
Robbins said the reason he and his partners chose to purchase the track a year ago, was simply for the "thrill of the sport."
"Motocross racing is becoming more and more popular, and steadily growing – mainly because of the adrenaline rush, but also because it offers a great family environment," Robbins told The Ledger recently. Racers can be anywhere from beginners to professional; male or female. Robbins has been racing 10 years locally, semi-professionally and on the expert level. The Laddonia native used to compete in national races. Now his main focus is local and county fair races.
"I was exposed to it as a kid; riding three-wheelers every weekend with my dad," Robbins recalled. Robbins also raced Monster Jams and at county fairs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Taylorsville and Carthage, Ill., Finger Lakes in Columbia, Bowling Green, Vandalia, Shel-bina and Troy, to name a few.
He also owns and operates Robbins Cycles, located at the corner of Agricultural and Liberty streets in Mexico. The shop services and sells ATVs, parts for street and motor bikes, as well as water crafts and snowmobiles. Additionally, he and his brother offer a quad riding school, where they teach everything dealing with racing and ATV.
Motocross racing, Robbins said, is not a cheap sport. Some racers he said, invest as much as $20,000.
"A racer can sink unlimited amounts of money into the sport, easily," he said. "Cause, you're always making modifications (that can be quite expensive) to give it more power."
Robbins admits motocross racing can also be "a little" dangerous. In his career, he's broken his collarbone and sustained many other minor injuries. He's currently sporting a metal plate in his left arm from a 2007 Kentucky race.
"Anyone who races seriously has broken bones," he said. "After you lay around for six weeks, you're ready to go again."
Like everything else, Robbins said motocross racing has been impacted by the economic crisis. People aren't as interested in the small track races – like Hilltop – as much the bigger "money paying" ones, he said.
"It's made people more choosey about where they race," Robbins explained. "Trophies are given to amateur classes, and monetary prizes are given to the expert racers – mainly because the sport is so costly."
The motoracing season starts March 6 at Finger Lakes State Park. Track is currently open, weather permitting. The daily cost is $5.
The advantage of having a local track, Robbins said, is that it "gives people a personal look at a sport that they would normally only get to see on TV," plus it brings in additional revenue.
"It brings business to Mexico's motels and fuel stations, plus it offers people a glimpse at an exciting sport; it's not everyday you get to see a 500-pound four-wheeler go 15 feet into the air.
"This is the type of fun that Hilltop offers," he said. Bleachers, restrooms and concessions are available on the grounds.
