Motorsports: Outlaw Shoot Out arrives early this year, slated for Saturday
WHAT: Outlaw Shoot Out
WHEN: Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday, qualifying heats begin at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: LA Raceway, La Monte
ADMISSION: $18; free for ages 10 and younger
Normally a summer tradition, the annual Outlaw Shoot Out will speed into La Monte’s LA Raceway on Saturday.
A hotbed for racing aficionados and motorcycle enthusiasts, the event — hosted by the LA Raceway since 2006 and Yeager’s Cycle Sales for more than a decade — will feature one of the most accomplished fields of motorcycle riders in the country.
Beginning with qualifying heats at 6:30 p.m., the 3/8-mile, deep-banked oval dirt track will showcase 450 cc (single), 750 cc (twins) and vintage motorcycles — bikes at least 25 years old — flinging dirt and rubbing tires in the most prestigious local motorcycle event of the year.
“We try to do one big event a year that showcases some the biggest and best riders in the country,” race sponsor and promoter Rick Yeager said. “Our goal is to promote the sport of motorcycle racing and we feel this is a great platform to do so.”
Headlining the field of nearly 70 riders, defending singles and twins national champion Jared Mees; Australian national champion Mick “The Wild Thing from Down Under” Kirkness, who’s sponsored by Yeager’s Cycle; Nichole Cheza; veteran Rob “Bugs” Pearson; and former top-ranked rider Kenny “King of Cool”
Coolbeth will be among the American Motorcyclist Association pros on display in the singles and twin races.
Representing the vintage class, Jim Monegan, Owensville native Randy Blackwell and Kansas City’s Bill Heishman will be featured.
“I went to several national motorycycle races across the country and got commitments from several top riders in the nation,” said Yeager, whose travels took him to Daytona Beach, Fla., and Du Quoin, Ill. “We have a good safe track for the boys and they like to come out here.”
The races will be preceded by a bike show at Yeager’s Cycle Sales, 3001 S. Limit Ave. in Sedalia from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gates at LA Raceway will open at 5 p.m.
Following the practice laps and qualifying heats, a memorial for Gary Bragg — a local rider who was killed at LA Raceway nearly two years ago — will take place.
Tickets for ages 11 and older cost $18 while children 10 and younger will be admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at Yeager’s Cycle Sales or at the gate.
