The sounds of two- and four-stroke engines cut the air as riders threw dust off their tires in the corners.
And when they launched themselves and their bikes into the air over a series of jumps, family, friends and onlookers added oohs and aahs to the mix.
Arguably the fastest rider at the track, Cody Woodworth, seemed to prefer to spend more time in the air than on land. Throughout the night he made a habit of passing other practicing riders in the straight-aways, and launching himself, fearlessly, over a set of large double-jumps.
"I've been doing this for a while, so I just kind of got used to it," Woodworth said.
He said he spends most of his time in the summer racing his motorcycles. In the off-season Woodworth plans to go back to school.
"For his ninth birthday we got him a minibike," said Cody's father, Shane.
Two seasons, an Alaska State Motocross Championship and thousands of miles on the family's car later, the Woodworth family is knee-deep in motorcycle parts and hotel receipts.
"Last summer we were home one weekend," Shane said. "We haven't been home one weekend this year."
For a growing number of area families caught by the motocross bug, travel has become the norm.
A typical weekend for the Woodworths begins with a trip to Kenai Friday nights. Cody races Saturday morning at the Twin Cities Raceway and then they load the truck up and head to Anchorage. After racing once or twice Sunday, the family heads back home.
Next weekend they will travel to Fairbanks for a series of races.
With the new track just off the Sterling Highway at the "Welcome to Anchor Point" sign, racing families, like the Woodworths finally have some home dirt.
"Our goal is to bring motocross racing to Homer," said Dean Ravin, vice president of the Homer Racing Lions Club. "It's a family sport, and it's just a lot of fun."
Ravin said the club has 30 members so far. About 75 people showed up for the track's grand opening Friday.
"It was very successful," said club president Mike Arno. "A little more (people) than I expected."
Arno built the track on the Griners' gravel pit. While no races are planned for this summer, the club hopes to schedule a couple next year.
Until then riders can practice for free on the track from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The track was designed to include several large dirt jumps, tight corners and a set of "whoop-tee-doos" or motorcycle moguls similar to other motocross tracks in the state.
After riding on the track Friday, Arno was pleased with how it turned out.
"It is one of the best tracks in the state," he said. "Although I might be a little prejudiced since I built it."
For Shane Woodworth, having a track in Anchor Point translates into less travel time. For his son, Cody, it means more opportunities to catch big air.
"I really like the AP track," Cody said. "The best part is the jumps."
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.
He will be a sixth-grader at West Homer Elementary.
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