By DONNA HICKMAN\Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, June 26, 2005
Updated: Saturday, June 25, 2005 9:13 PM CDT

A crowd of "quads" lined up just off East Main Street in Park Hills Saturday for the start of the 2005 Flat River Grand Prix.

Just after noon, as spectators gathered down Main and on the bridge above Flat River Creek, a parade of ATVs, also known as quads, made their way from St. Joe Park to the spot off Main where their race would begin.

"I counted about 140 ATVs," said Greg Kinkelaar, Race Organizer. "That's down from about 200 last year."

He thinks the heat may be one reason for the drop. He knows it wasn't this hot when the race was held last June.

The racers would travel a 10-mile course into St. Joe and for 90 minutes, they would make as many laps around that course as they could.

"He loves 4-wheelers," said Mark Cheeseborough, as he stood near Flat River Creek holding his 3-year-old grandson Dakota.

The racers were divided by class and would drive their ATV to the starting point and kill their engines. Then, the drivers would stand a few feet away and as the race official waved a card, they'd run to their quad and take off.

Todd Mallow was taking pictures. He grew up in Viburnum and first raced in the Grand Prix when he was 18. Now, 38, he's back again to drive his Yamaha 250 motorcycle in Saturday's race. His son Tyler, 15, races too.

"This is just a bunch of old men who like to live like teenagers," he said of himself and his fellow riders.

Earlier in the day, racers under the age of 12 took center stage riding dirt bikes or ATVs over a dusty 2-mile course at St. Joe.

Dirt bike racer Shawn Horn, 11, is a veteran. He started racing at the age of 4. Saturday's was his sixth race this year.

"It's fun, especially if you get a 'holeshot,' he said, going on to explain that means you get off the starting line ahead of everyone else.

His mom said it's a safe sport, if you wear all the gear.

"He has skateboards, too, but his dad won't let him do that because he could get hurt," said Brenda Horn.

Seven-year-old Crystal Diebold and her family came to the Parkland from Elden, Mo., near Lake of the Ozarks, Friday night to be ready to race their ATVs.

"It's fun and you get to go against people," she said, with her long hair in a braid that stuck out from her helmet.

Her dad would race too. Her mom Anna rides only for pleasure.

Since it was so hot, Crystal's mom had outfitted her with a "camelback," a backpack filled with Gatorade with a straw that fit under her helmet and into her mouth when she needed it.

The youngest racers rode for a half hour or 45 minutes, depending upon the race. The one who completed the most laps over the 2-mile courses during that time would be the winner.

As the young racers lined up, dads leaned over them with final instructions.

"Watch for the orange arrows," one said.

Moms offered words of encouragement.

"I love you," said a mother who patted her rider on the helmet.

In a cloud of dust, they were off. Spectators could keep up with where they were on the course because of the billows of dust they left in their wake.

The ATVs they ride cost from $1,500 for a youngster to $15,000 for adults. The dirt bikes for kids may cost up to $2,800 with adults paying up to $7,500 for their racing motorcycles.

The only gear required to race is a helmet, but organizers recommend more.

"We encourage boots, goggles, gloves and a chest protector," said Rick Stroup, a race official.

Early in the morning, the Park Hills Fire Department brought out its water truck to sprinkle on the dirt road that led to the race tracks.

"We've been praying for rain," said Garry Horn, an organizer. Just before 2 p.m., their prayers were answered when rain fell, at least briefly, in some parts of the Parkland.

At the gate throughout the day, entrants came in pulling trailers or hauling their ATVs or motorcycles in the beds of pickup trucks.

"We've got them here from Iowa, Indiana and all over Missouri," said Tom Pendergast, American Motorcycle Association District President.

The crowd was just a trickle on Saturday compared to what Kinkelaar expects it to be today. Again, races for children 12 and younger will begin at 9 a.m. Other races begin at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $5, with children 12 and younger admitted free.

To get to the race, take the Missouri Mine Museum exit off Highway 32 in Park Hills. At the back of the museum, there's a red gate and signs that direct you. It's the 9th year the race has been sponsored by the Racers For Research to benefit the March of Dimes.

Prizes will be awarded to the top money raisers, as well as the top finishers. The race is billed as the Missouri Hare Scramble Championship with the overall winner receiving the Governor's Cup.

Last year's two-day event brought in $31,000 for the March of Dimes.

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