Motocross is Back in Central Montana

Motocross is has been proven to be the most physically enduring sport at the pro level, but what most don’t realize is physical endurance is not the hardest part on a communal level. The hardest part, especially for a group of small towns like those in Central Montana? Finding a track to ride. Adam Hershberger of Denton and Clayton Sturgill of Moccasin are trying to change that. I talked to Clayton about what we have going and what it does for a racer like him.

To start off, how did you get into motocross, and at what age?

I’ve actually been into dirt bikes, in general, most of my life! My dad was huge into motocross as a kid and actually went pro and held the #4 plate in the state of California in the 125 Pro class. So, he was definitely my biggest role model and the reason motocross has been so important to me. I started riding at 8 years old. In 2008, I raced my first race ever at the Central Montana fair, and made a few High Country Motocross Association (HCMA) races after but didn’t race competitively. In 2015, at 21 years old, I decided to pursue my dream of going pro one day. After racing three years competitively, I’ve won three state championships in Open Beginner in 2015, 250 Jr. in 2016, and 450 Intermediate in 2017. I’ve also finished second in Open Jr. and 250 Intermediate, and in just three years accomplished my lifelong goal of going pro! Now, I have to start racing out of state at Pro Nationals to earn points to get my AMA Pro card.

Clayton also won the HCMA Rider of the Year Award for 2017, which is a great accomplishment in our motocross community.

As I know from personal experience, a motocross racer is always looking for another track to ride. Talk a little about what we have going on in Denton.

Yeah, it’s always fun for anyone to get out on a new track they haven’t rode before. Over the last couple years, Adam Hershberger, from Denton, has been moving dirt one mile south of Denton on Benchland Road. He contacted me earlier this spring with interest in wanting to form a club allowing access to the public and giving the public a place to enjoy themselves riding their dirt bikes. For people like me and you [Kole], who race the state motocross series (HCMA), this has given us a huge advantage having a practice track to prepare for the races! It also gives the people in the small communities in our area a place to go ride, as well. We have a full two minute per-lap motocross track laid out and plan to have a supercross and enduro/cross country track laid out in the future! Adam’s and my ultimate goal is to make a one-stop, multiple track style, riding facility. We haven’t considered having any races at this time as we are just trying to get the ball rolling, but we are hoping to bring motorcycles back to Central Montana like it was when Colver’s owned their track north of Lewistown!

Clayton and Adam plan to have the track fully open to riding and open to club memberships next year. There will be a ride day open to everyone Sunday, October 1, at 10 a.m. on the motocross track with a $10 admittance fee. Find Clayton Sturgill or Kole Dengel on Facebook for more information. With that said, I am very excited for the future of this great sport in Central Montana.