Maybe a New Indiana Track

Dubois County 4H Fairgrounds could get motocross track

By Matthew Crane on November 6, 2017

The Dubois County 4H Fairgrounds could be adding a mile-and-a-half motocross racetrack in time for the 2018 race season.

Vincennes-based Outlaw MX LLC., has plans to build the track on the 4H Fairgrounds if the 4H Council approves moving forward with a contract. Outlaw MX operates a track at the Knox County Fairgrounds already and would like to expand to Dubois County and build a larger track. The larger track could help them build the race popularity and attract national racers to Dubois County.

The track would be located in the northeast portion of a field the council leases to a local farmer. The field is on the northwest side of the fairgrounds.

According to 4H Council president Tammy Neukam, the field is used for hay but that area isn’t very productive. It isn’t used during the fair and has been identified as a good location for the track.

Per the contract, Outlaw MX will build the track which will be fenced in. During races, they will utilize the council’s bleachers. Neukam said they would likely have races one to two times a month during the season from March to October.

Outlaw MX will lease the track from the 4H Council for $600 per event and also pay for practice sessions. The track will not be open to the public and events will not occur during the 4H Fair, nor anytime livestock is at the fairgrounds.

Neukam said the County Park Board was in favor of the 4H Council’s plan and felt it would bring campers into the campground during events.

Neukam appeared before the Dubois County Commissioners Monday morning to notify them of the potential project. The commissioners were in support of the addition but request the council meet with the neighbors to the northwest of the track to hear any concerns they have.

“I would like to hear from these residents before you move forward,” Commissioner Elmer Brames said.

4H Council vice president Ed Boeglin told the commissioners that a meeting would be organized to hear from neighbors in the next two weeks before the contract with Outlaw MX was formalized. In regards to noise, Boeglin felt that the treeline between the neighborhood and the track would help with the noise. He estimated that the closest home to the track was about 700 to 750 feet from the track.

“We have a couple personal friends that live beside the Bicknell track and when we spoke to them, they said at first they heard them, but now they don’t hear it anymore,” Neukam said.

She added that according to the contract with Outlaw MX, races would occur between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on the weekend. She added that since they won’t have lights on the track, races cannot occur after dark.

Commissioner Nick Hostetter added that he felt the main concern would be the noise but admitted he would appreciate the new offering in the county since he has children that enjoy the sport. He pointed out that it would give children something else to do.

According to Boeglin, the majority of the riders are between four and 18-years-old; not many racers are adults. He said that at least a dozen racers in Dubois County head to Bicknell where Outlaw MX operates events at the Knox County Fairgrounds.

“This is good, clean fun,” agreed Boeglin. “It’s a controlled environment.”

He added that Outlaw MX would have an ambulance available during races and have offered to contract with St. Anthony first responders to be at the events.

Besides bringing in money for the fairgrounds, Outlaw MX has suggested that 4H leaders or clubs could provide concessions at the races to raise money.

The contract includes a clause that if either party decides to cancel, Outlaw MX must return the land to its original state within 120 days.

“I would like the neighbors to at least give it a try knowing we can cancel the contract,” Brames said.

If approved construction on the track will begin nearly immediately, but races aren’t expected to occur until next year.