KORR fall championships mix motocross, memories
Sports reporter
In the tough-as-nails world of motocross racing, tears are an aberration usually triggered by dust clouds kicked up by speeding motorcycles and ATVs.
While watching the Kansas Off Road Riders (KORR) 2006 Fall Championship races at Green Acres MX Track Sunday in Marion, Kevin Anderson's eyes welled up for an entirely different and personal reason.
"If he couldn't stop, nobody could've stopped," said Anderson, as he related details of the car-motorcycle accident that claimed the life of his and wife Renae's 21-year-old son Justin in 2003.
The KORR fall championship races carry the official designation of the Justin Anderson Memorial Race, a fitting tribute for someone who started motocross racing at age 14, and who moved on to coach others in the sport.
Aside from that brief moment, the Andersons, who live in McPherson, were all smiles as they spent the day reminiscing with riders, parents, and longtime friends about Justin's love for motocross racing, and his zest for life.
Shelli Hardy, who along with husband Ron operates Green Acres, holds a special fondness for Justin, who accomplished much of his growth as a rider at the track.
"He was part of a group of young kids who all started here," said Hardy, "so we watched Justin grow up."
While the idea of making the Marion race into a memorial started with Justin's older brother, Brett, Anderson provided a clue as to why the idea was so quickly embraced by KORR.
"If you knew Justin for five minutes, you'd like him," said Anderson, indicating that Justin's personality endeared him to fellow competitors and his protégés.
One of those students, Beth Biehler, grinned broadly as she recalled Justin's coaching strengths.
"He was good," she said, "and he was FUNNY!"
As some of the 155 motocross and ATV competitors raced by, Anderson took a few moments to describe how the race is a memorial in more than name only.
Anderson and his wife spend time throughout the year promoting the race, working with sponsors, and soliciting donations of a large number of items that are raffled off throughout the day.
"We do this all for the riders," Anderson said. "We're hoping to get bigger each year, and if they're still racing here 20 years from now, we'll be here, too."
Motocross and ATV riders from all across Kansas participated in KORR's season-ending event, which featured competition in 17 different divisions. Results for local riders are listed below.
KORR 2006 Fall championships/4th annual Justin anderson memorial
125C - Gabe Moore, 9th; Adam Hett, 11th; David Helmer, 16th.
ATV Schoolboy - Dustin Looney, 2nd; Matt Buchanan, 4th.
Schoolboy - Gabe Moore, 2nd; Adam Hett, 5th; David Helmer, 8th.
250C - Adam Hett, 4th.
Open beginner - Zeth Thornhill, 4th.
Post vintage +10 - David Alcorn, 3rd.
