Media

Circle City Nationals race report & photos

Filed under General on March 21, 2016 | Comment(s)

The Circle City Nationals in Dothan, AL stared off with a dire forecast leading up to the race, 80% or higher chance of rain on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  However the track condition were never in doubt as the track has a slurry coat that sheds water like fresh Rain-X on a windshield. Oh yes, this race was going to happen rain or shine, there was no doubt. 

For those who made the trip, they were treated to one of the best races of the season, as the rain only happened at night and the track and surrounding area had been prepped perfectly with gravel, sand, and wood chips so as not to bring out the dreaded wet Alabama red clay.  You really did not even have to worry about your tires getting very dirty on your way to the gate.  Friday remained overcast but very moderate temps with a breeze, and by noon on Saturday, blue skies became started poking through the clouds and it turned into a beautiful “Chamber of Commerce day”.  Sunday there was not a cloud in the sky but the temps dipped into the low 50’s, perfect hoody weather till the sun heated things up.  This was definitely a weekend where you needed to bring the whole bedroom closet, from rain to sun, from warm to cold, hope you were prepared.

Changing gear to the track now, Circle City BMX was originally built in 1984, and for the most part has been running races since then +/- a few years in the 90’s.  In 1986 the “famous” crossover was put in to create a straightened first straight away to eliminate the original right handed dogleg that was dictated by the borrow pit the track is built in.  Yes this track is built in the hole created when the city of Dothan needed dirt to make the water slides for the “Water World Complex” just around the corner from the track, and it turned out to be a perfect fit and location for this unique BMX track.

The track is a blast to ride.  The starting gate is flush with the slope of the first straight which is a continuous downhill run all the way to the crossover.  The first jump is probably 90 feet out of the starting gate which allows for some serious speed to be generated before hitting the 5’ face of the “wall” table top, most riders just hit it and hold on, the backside drops another 5 or so feet below the jump creating even more speed before a double and then the face of the crossover, a 30’ long table top that leads to another double into turn 1.  When you get your flow on down this first straight, you can generate upwards of 35 mph heading into turn one. 

The Dothan track is also great for the shape and type of jumps on the track, because they are formed in a way that you can roll, pump, manual, and/or jump all of them depending on your skill set.   If you are able to get over the jumps clean they reward you with speed into turn one, you make one mistake and you will be fighting for last, but the key is that you have to be spot on with each obstacle.  For the locals it is great because it will allow them to work on each skill set on each particular jump and help prepare them for anything that other tracks can throw at them.

Coming out of the big sweeping asphalted turn 1 you face a roller and then a true old school type step-up, more vertical launch than horizontal, that drops you back onto the crossover and once across you dive down into turn two.   Cranking out of two you encounter an uphill table top, basically the back lips is higher than the front.  Which leads you to the triple jump into turn 3.  A few boosted the triple, most took it as single in, double out, or just pumped it outright.  Turn 3 is the tightest at Dothan and it spits you out right into a long and tough rhythm section.  The first roller catches many off guard and if you do not hot it smooth you are more than likely losing a position or two.  The entire last straight is rhythm, with a small table dropped in the middle surrounded by rollers.  It feels like it starts out uphill, but by the time you come off the table you are picking up speed down hill heading toward the finish line.

The track is a blast to ride but will bite you if you take it for granted or do not respect the speed down the first straight, with small elements of Nashville’s first straight and even hints of Louisville’s second turn, Dothan provides a great racing venue and one that should be on every BMXers bucket list.

Image Gallery

  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10
  • Screen_shot_2016-03-21_at_10

Fa-solid-arrow-left

Membership

Fa-solid-times
We're excited you want to ride with us! If you are a new rider, welcome to the family! If you are experienced, we are glad to have you back. Please select below:
Purchasing of New Memberships is temporarily disabled. Please contact us for more info.
15%

Step 1 / 6

To create or renew your membership, please sign in to your account or create a new account. If you are purchasing a membership for someone under the age of 18 please create an account for yourself first.

Eye-password-icon@2x Eye-invisible-outlined@2x

OR Forgot Your Password?
Forgot your password? Put in your email address here and we’ll email you a link to change your password.

An email from no-reply@bmx.com containing instructions to reset your password has been emailed to you.

If you’re having trouble finding your email, try checking your Spam folder.
10%

Step 1 / 6

If you are purchasing this membership for someone under the age of 18, you must first create an account for yourself in order to enter payment options and sign safety wavers.

Birthdate must be a past date.
15%

Step 1 / 6

Password must be at least 8 characters.
Check all that apply.
15%

Step 1 / 6

Password must be at least 8 characters.

Check all that apply:

In order to comply with COPPA standards, and for your safety, riders under the age of 13 must have a parent or legal guardian register an account on the USA BMX site and consent to your profile creation. Please fill out your guardian’s email below.


Thanks for registering! Return to sign in below and sign in to your new account to continue to your purchase. An email has also been sent to with instructions on verifying your account. If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam.
30%

Step 2 / 6

Who is this membership for?
Are you the rider's parent or legal guardian?

You must be the rider’s legal guardian in order to purchase a membership. Please have the rider’s legal guardian create an account and purchase the membership.

Is this your first time in BMX?
Please confirm your birthday.

Birthdate not accepted.
Is this the rider's first time in BMX?
Please confirm the rider's birthday.

Birthdate not accepted.
You must be over the age of 18 to purchase a membership. Please have your parent or legal guardian create an account and purchase your membership.
50%

Step 3 / 6

Balance Bike memberships are discounted and not considered a First Family Membership.
If your family member(s) already have a membership, enter their serial numbers for a $5 discount on your newest membership.
50%

Step 3 / 6

Balance Bike memberships are discounted and not considered a First Family Membership.
If your family member(s) already have a membership, enter their serial numbers for a $5 discount on your newest membership.
70%

Step 4 / 6

Gender
Skill Level
Please choose the track you would like to credit your membership to, as this helps your home track earn their ranking within the state or province.


Home Track State / Province
Home Track
Type of Membership
85%

Step 5 / 6


Please review the waivers below carefully and submit your electronic signature to consent to them.

In order for the membership to be processed, the Sanction must receive your digital signature. By digitally signing in the box below, you agree to the terms and conditions of the waivers referenced above.

Step 6 / 6

When adding a credit card, BMX Canada members must add their card to the CAN jurisdiction for processing.

SELECT USA BMX OR BMX CANADA

Step 6 / 6

Please confirm that all of your information is correct before completing your purchase.

If you do find a problem, click the back arrow to correct it.
Membership for
Home Track
Proficiency
Family Member
Membership Type
Date of Birth
Age
Payment Due
Make a Payment
Thank you for your purchase!
An email has been sent to your inbox with information on getting started with us:

Please download membership card below.

30%

Step 2 / 6

Please enter your Serial Number and Validation Code from your Trial Membership. Serial Number will be 8 digits and Validation Code will be 4 digits.
30%

Step 2 / 6

Renew a membership registered under your account, or by searching for existing memberships.
OR
50%

Step 3 / 6

Select one of the memberships below to renew a membership.
Search for Existing Memberships
50%

Step 3 / 6

Search for a rider by name or by serial number to renew a membership.
Please fill out both names.
OR
View Memberships on Your Account
50%

Step 2 / 6

Are you the rider and/or rider’s parent/legal guardian?
70%

Step 4 / 6

Gender
Skill Level
Skill Level
Please choose the track you would like to credit your membership to, as this helps your home track earn their ranking within the state or province.


Home Track State / Province
Home Track
Balance Bike memberships are discounted and not considered a First Family Membership.
If your family member(s) already have a membership, enter their serial numbers for a $5 discount on your newest membership.
Type of Membership
85%

Step 5 / 6


Please review the waivers below carefully and submit your electronic signature to consent to them..

In order for the membership to be processed, the Sanction must receive your digital signature. By digitally signing in the box below, you agree to the terms and conditions of the waivers referenced above.

Step 6 / 6

Please confirm that your information is correct and check out.
Membership for
Home Track
Proficiency
Family Member
Membership Type
Payment Due
Make a Payment
Thank you for renewing!
An email has been sent to your inbox with information on your renewal with us:

Please download membership card below.

Step 6 / 6

When adding a credit card, BMX Canada members must add their card to the CAN jurisdiction for processing.

SELECT USA BMX OR BMX CANADA