Published: February 23, 2007 03:50 pm      

Local motorcycle race to be televised

Anyone who was at the 2006 Red Bull Last Man Standing Race last December will not forget it.

Anyone who wasn’t — and would like to have been— will have the chance to see a television special filmed during the mud-splattered, gut-wrenching Red River Motorcycle Trails race when Speed TV airs a special about the event Feb. 24, 27 and 28 and March 9.

Held Dec. 1 and 2 at Red River Motorcycle Trails in Bulcher, the race featured riders from all over the world competing for the title of 2006 Red Bull Last Man Standing.

The difficult course was made more treacherous by rain, wind and near-freezing temperatures that often left the competitors drenched in mud, shivering and struggling to get their motorcycles over the rough terrain.

Spectators huddled under coats and blankets waiting to catch a glimpse of riders such as David Knight, a United Kingdom resident who captured the title of Last Man Standing for the second year in a row.

Behind Knight was Wayne Braybrook another U.K. citizen who took second place.

More than 120 competitors attempted the race.

Knight and Braybrook were the only two riders who actually completed the grueling course.

Jordan Miller, media relations manager for Red Bull North America, Inc., said in a Dec. 2 interview, Last Man Standing pitted 130 of the top riders in the world against each other.

“It’s one of the toughest tests in off-road racing,” he said.

“The course is looped, and it goes along the Red River,” he said, indicating a wide course that encompasses hills and gullies in an area that is known for its scenic beauty.

Last Man Standing was held in coordination with Red Bull North America, Inc. and Red River Dirt Riders, a north Texas motorcycle association.

Red River Motorcycle Trails, Inc. is celebrating 35 years of operation this year.

“We have proudly served the recreational community since 1972,” said Red River Motorcycle Trails spokeswoman, Rebecca Harris, Thursday afternoon. “We’re very excited to have this exposure and to let people know that we are here.”

She said this is the second year a special about the race has been aired.

“They were here last year, and they decided to come back again this year,” she said.

“The special will highlight the park’s diverse terrain. There’s everything from sandy areas to rocky creeks with boulders here in this part of northwestern Cooke County,” she said.

Harris said she believes the park is a draw to the county, and she hopes the popular race and TV special will hook new riders on the sport.

“It puts this riding area on the map,” she said.

“The park is made up of 2,500 acres for riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes and motorcycles,” she said.

Apparently, the course is becoming well-known in the world of off-road motorcycling.

Red River Motor Cycle Trails, Inc. was named one of ATV Pathfinders top 50 private off-road destinations of 2006, an honor Harris said she just found out about last week.

On the Net:

Information on the Speed TV special including local listings:

http://www.speedtv.com.

Information on Red River Motorcycle Trails, Inc.:

www.redrivermotorcycletrails.com