Birth of a Classic.... The PCGP

1978

Back in the Day, many, many years ago a few members of the Polka Dots MC would meet most afternoons in a small motorcycle accessory shop (MPC) in Citrus Heights, CA. They would get into discussions about all things motorcycle. They would solve all sorts of problems concerning dirt riding/racing. Actually, mostly they just drank beer. One afternoon the subject was the boring state of D36 Cross Country races. Most of the Cross Country races were tight woods courses or desert races with little spectator viewing, even the club’s premiere event Wilseyville was mostly out of sight of spectators. This was prior to WORCs or GNCC style races. The guys wanted more intense racing, more open to spectators to see. They wanted to attract some of the fastest, best known riders in N. CA.

After many weeks of intense discussions they finally decided to seek an outside perspective and they needed someone new to buy the beer so they contacted the boys at Hi-Point. Dave Duarte and Bruce Young encouraged the boys to keep working on their idea and offered Hi-Points help if they ever settled on a format. Bruce even bought more beer. After several more weeks of debate a general format was agreed upon. The race would encompass a variety of terrain, something to appeal to all types of riders. There would be some tight trails for the enduro riders, some open plains for the cross country guys, a real motocross section and even a quarter mile section of pavement.  The Polka Dots wanted a real test of strength, endurance and riding skills so the decision was made to make this a three hour race. Thus, thirty five years ago the “Prairie City Grand Prix” was born.

The first race development was hectic and of course there was some controversy. Some District officials were less than enthused about the PDMC offering prize money and bringing motocrossers to the event. True to his word Bruce from Hi-Point was very helpful. Hi-Point supplied a bundle of contingency prizes and Bruce introduced the Polka Dots to a money sponsor (Capital Coors). Hi-Point even brought famed Team Honda off road rider Bruce Ogilivie to the race. Personal invitations were sent to the top five D36 riders in Enduro, Cross Country and MX. Almost all showed up for the first PCGP. There was of course a little pre race trash talk… moto guys would never last and CC guys couldn’t jump. The turn out was huge and the racing intense. All the trash talk proved to be wrong, the CC guys could jump and the moto guys did last. Spectators loved the event, they could see lots of action and the racing was close. No one had ever seen a rider lay on the tank of a 440 Maico in 5^th gear down a quarter mile of pavement. The real surprise was the strength of the moto cross riders in finishing a three hour race. Take a look at the names on the perpetual trophy and you will find names like Donnie Cantaloupi, Eric McKenna, Danny “Magoo” Chandler and Jerome Heiburger. In fact motocross riders won for the first ten years of the PCGP with seven of those victories going to Eric McKenna!

 Over the years the format of the event has evolved and today the Polka Dots MC promote one of the most popular cross country events in CA. The 2013 event has a very special sponsor, Motorcycle Performance Center.  Since the birth of the PCGP thirty five years ago in the back of that tiny shop MPC has grown into one of the premiere KTM shops in the country and they have returned to sponsor what they helped start all those years ago.