Photo by Garrett Bottorff: Dylan Smith and Izaih Clark both make the jump during the ‘Miserable Mayhem’ event at Sports Park Raceway.

It takes a lot of work to turn a race track on dirt into a motocross experience.

Justin Wallace and Nick Reekers had the initial idea, but before all was said and done, over a dozen people and companies helped such an event come together.

This past weekend, Sports Park Raceway hosted the first-ever “Miserable Mayhem” competition at the Fort Dodge venue.

“It took a full week from Monday until Saturday (to get ready),” said Reekers, owner of Miserable Clothing Co. “There were over 200 side dump loads of dirt and there were a lot of people helping — (notably) Mid Country (Machinery) and Jeff Frevert (owner of Sports Park Raceway).

“It definitely took a hard-working and committed crew of people to put it together.”

Wallace, who also promoted the popular motocross event at the Webster County Fairgrounds during the Webster County Fair earlier this summer, was pleased with the outcome.

“It was cool being able to bring this one-of-a-kind event to Sports Park Raceway,” Wallace said. “The goal was to make it more of an event than a motocross race, so we decided to build something called a ‘Straight Rhythm.'”

Fans were treated to a very unique experience.

“We hauled over 100-plus semi loads of dirt to the front stretch of the speedway, which created a drag strip with jumps and obstacles,” Wallace said. “There were twenty-six hundred people there, and they loved every minute of it.

“It was awesome to get the crowd involved in the head-to-head bracket racing.”

Not only did the professional motocross riders compete, but there was a freestyle show as well.

“Freestyle motocross was also part of the event,” Wallace said. “One guy jumped a Harley Davidson 70 long feet that reached about 80 feet in height.

“Jesse Wilson Band and Riddled with Class ended the night rocking out (as musical guests). My goal is to keep doing these events and to give the community a good time.”

Reekers was pleased to see the region support the festivities.

“It was super awesome,” Reekers said. “A lot of the Fort Dodge motocross community was there, and a lot of people from other towns around here also. The pros were there from other communities and they put on a show.”