What began as just an idea for a family’s practice course for motorcycle racing has evolved into the region’s newest motocross track when Gramma’s MX Park hosts its first competition Aug. 14 after wet track conditions pushed back today’s grand opening.

Paul Jacobson had wanted to build a practice course on the family farm near Viborg for his sons, Jerico and Hunter, who are actively involved in motocross racing. He soon realized that the location and layout would be greatly suited for a track that all riders could compete on.

Jacobson shared his idea with Joe Hummel and Steve Petersen, who also liked the prospect of a new facility and joined Jacobson as investors.

“It’s really a good location,” said Jacobson, “being on an oil road about in the middle between Sioux Falls and Yankton.”

And it wasn’t just the geographical location that Jacobson saw as an asset, but also the physical layout of the area that the track would be constructed on – slightly rolling land that provides excellent viewing along with soft soil that’s conducive for motocross racing.

“We built it so that you can see the entire track from about anywhere on the property,” said Jacobson, referring to the area that consists of about 30 acres. “And it has the nice, soft dirt that riders like. It’s not hard and there aren’t any rocks.”

The group hired Mike and Brandon Krueger, both professionally licensed motocross riders, to construct the track, and they are pleased with the finished product. A pair of practice sessions have drawn good reviews from riders.

Coby Ockenga is one of the area’s top young riders. The 14-year-old from Garretson has competed on about 40 to 50 different tracks across the country and enjoyed his practice session at the new track.

“I really liked it,” he said. “I like how it’s kind of a little bit of supercross and a lot of motocross. It has soft dirt and has sand in some parts, which makes it more of a challenge. It’s one of the funner tracks I’ve ridden on.”

Jacobson also takes pride in the overall presentation of the track.

“I don’t think you’ll find a neater or cleaner track anywhere,” said Jacobson, who’s traveled to a number of tracks around the country with his sons. “It’s 30 acres of mowed grass.”

One of the biggest supporters of the Jacobsons and their racing is Paul’s mother, Ethel, who lives on the family farm.

“We named it after her because she’s a big fan and supporter of the boys racing,” said Paul. “She goes to every race with us, and we’ve raced all over the country. We called it “Gramma’s” because that’s what everyone in this area knows her by.”

The inaugural event begins with practice at 9 a.m and racing at 11 on Aug 14. Jacobson expects about 200 to 300 entrants who will compete for a share of a $5,000 purse. Admission for spectators is $5.

Three more races are planned this year with details to be released at the first event. A website is also expected to be available in the near future.

Gramma’s MX Park is located four miles north of Viborg on the east side of Highway 19. For more information call 605-359-6863.

What began as just an idea for a family’s practice course for motorcycle racing has evolved into the region’s newest motocross track when Gramma’s MX Park hosts its first competition Aug. 14 after wet track conditions pushed back today’s grand opening.

Paul Jacobson had wanted to build a practice course on the family farm near Viborg for his sons, Jerico and Hunter, who are actively involved in motocross racing. He soon realized that the location and layout would be greatly suited for a track that all riders could compete on.

Jacobson shared his idea with Joe Hummel and Steve Petersen, who also liked the prospect of a new facility and joined Jacobson as investors.

“It’s really a good location,” said Jacobson, “being on an oil road about in the middle between Sioux Falls and Yankton.”

And it wasn’t just the geographical location that Jacobson saw as an asset, but also the physical layout of the area that the track would be constructed on – slightly rolling land that provides excellent viewing along with soft soil that’s conducive for motocross racing.

“We built it so that you can see the entire track from about anywhere on the property,” said Jacobson, referring to the area that consists of about 30 acres. “And it has the nice, soft dirt that riders like. It’s not hard and there aren’t any rocks.”

The group hired Mike and Brandon Krueger, both professionally licensed motocross riders, to construct the track, and they are pleased with the finished product. A pair of practice sessions have drawn good reviews from riders.

Coby Ockenga is one of the area’s top young riders. The 14-year-old from Garretson has competed on about 40 to 50 different tracks across the country and enjoyed his practice session at the new track.

“I really liked it,” he said. “I like how it’s kind of a little bit of supercross and a lot of motocross. It has soft dirt and has sand in some parts, which makes it more of a challenge. It’s one of the funner tracks I’ve ridden on.”

Jacobson also takes pride in the overall presentation of the track.

“I don’t think you’ll find a neater or cleaner track anywhere,” said Jacobson, who’s traveled to a number of tracks around the country with his sons. “It’s 30 acres of mowed grass.”

One of the biggest supporters of the Jacobsons and their racing is Paul’s mother, Ethel, who lives on the family farm.

“We named it after her because she’s a big fan and supporter of the boys racing,” said Paul. “She goes to every race with us, and we’ve raced all over the country. We called it “Gramma’s” because that’s what everyone in this area knows her by.”

The inaugural event begins with practice at 9 a.m and racing at 11 on Aug 14. Jacobson expects about 200 to 300 entrants who will compete for a share of a $5,000 purse. Admission for spectators is $5.

Three more races are planned this year with details to be released at the first event. A website is also expected to be available in the near future.

Gramma’s MX Park is located four miles north of Viborg on the east side of Highway 19. For more information call 605-359-6863.

What began as just an idea for a family’s practice course for motorcycle racing has evolved into the region’s newest motocross track when Gramma’s MX Park hosts its first competition Aug. 14 after wet track conditions pushed back today’s grand opening.

Paul Jacobson had wanted to build a practice course on the family farm near Viborg for his sons, Jerico and Hunter, who are actively involved in motocross racing. He soon realized that the location and layout would be greatly suited for a track that all riders could compete on.

Jacobson shared his idea with Joe Hummel and Steve Petersen, who also liked the prospect of a new facility and joined Jacobson as investors.

“It’s really a good location,” said Jacobson, “being on an oil road about in the middle between Sioux Falls and Yankton.”

And it wasn’t just the geographical location that Jacobson saw as an asset, but also the physical layout of the area that the track would be constructed on – slightly rolling land that provides excellent viewing along with soft soil that’s conducive for motocross racing.

“We built it so that you can see the entire track from about anywhere on the property,” said Jacobson, referring to the area that consists of about 30 acres. “And it has the nice, soft dirt that riders like. It’s not hard and there aren’t any rocks.”

The group hired Mike and Brandon Krueger, both professionally licensed motocross riders, to construct the track, and they are pleased with the finished product. A pair of practice sessions have drawn good reviews from riders.

Coby Ockenga is one of the area’s top young riders. The 14-year-old from Garretson has competed on about 40 to 50 different tracks across the country and enjoyed his practice session at the new track.

“I really liked it,” he said. “I like how it’s kind of a little bit of supercross and a lot of motocross. It has soft dirt and has sand in some parts, which makes it more of a challenge. It’s one of the funner tracks I’ve ridden on.”

Jacobson also takes pride in the overall presentation of the track.

“I don’t think you’ll find a neater or cleaner track anywhere,” said Jacobson, who’s traveled to a number of tracks around the country with his sons. “It’s 30 acres of mowed grass.”

One of the biggest supporters of the Jacobsons and their racing is Paul’s mother, Ethel, who lives on the family farm.

“We named it after her because she’s a big fan and supporter of the boys racing,” said Paul. “She goes to every race with us, and we’ve raced all over the country. We called it “Gramma’s” because that’s what everyone in this area knows her by.”

The inaugural event begins with practice at 9 a.m and racing at 11 on Aug 14. Jacobson expects about 200 to 300 entrants who will compete for a share of a $5,000 purse. Admission for spectators is $5.

Three more races are planned this year with details to be released at the first event. A website is also expected to be available in the near future.

Gramma’s MX Park is located four miles north of Viborg on the east side of Highway 19. For more information call 605-359-6863.