The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

On track for a wicked ride

By

Amateur and first-time riders had a chance to experience the thrill of BMX during an open house on June 11 at Tampa BMX, a track located within Lake Park, in Lutz.

The track, one of the area’s top BMX tracks, has been operating since 1974 and is operated by Tampa BMX, a nonprofit organization.

Twelve-year-old Payton Wilson, of Wesley Chapel, readies for a run at Tampa BMX, the long-standing track located inside Lake Park in Lutz. Tampa BMX, as a track and organization, has existed since 1974 and hosts an annual open house to try out BMX. It also has produced some of the nation’s top professional riders. (Mike Camunas)

It provides a place for BMX riders, both amateur and professional, to practice and race weekly and it has produced some of the nation’s top riders.

“We’re a bit of a hidden gem,” said track operator Jason Aleman, a Land O’ Lakes resident. “We’ve been here a while and a lot of people don’t really know that we’re here. That’s why we hold an annual open house, so new riders can come check us out and the track.”

Aleman adds that once a first-time rider experiences the Tampa BMX track, they are usually hooked. That’s why full-time riders, who are required to have a USA BMX membership to regularly use the track for practice and races, can occasionally bring a friend or family member. 

Tampa BMX runs practices and holds races for its different motos, or divisions, based on age.

It’s why this track attracts some of the top riders in the area, the state and nation for races held year-round. It’s also why the track has produced some of the best BMX riders around.

“It’s like a family here, as in everyone helps out everyone else,” Aleman said. “You have riders of all ages, from 7 to 17, and those are here instead of out somewhere else being dumb and crazy, doing dumb and crazy stuff like I was when I was that age.

“Here, at Tampa BMX, everyone is here to help everyone ride.”

Tampa BMX
Where: 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz
When: Wednesdays for practice; Fridays evenings and Sunday afternoons for practice and racing.
Details: Tampa BMX is a nonprofit organization and track located inside Lake Park in Lutz that hosts weekly practices and races for amateurs and professional riders. While the organization has an annual open house to try out BMX, riders with USA BMX memberships, which are required to use the track, can bring guests for a trial.
For more information, visit TampaBMX.com.

Published June 21, 2023

Colby Rolls, a 6-year-old from Wesley Chapel, awaits his turn at the top of the starting gate at Tampa BMX. The professional grade BMX track has been in Lake Park, in Lutz, since 1974.
Reed Bozatrh, of Fish Hawk, readies himself to ride down the Tampa BMX track at Lake Park, in Lutz.
Land O’ Lakes rider Lucas Aleman watches as other riders make their way toward the finish line of Tampa BMX in Lake Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A portion of the Tampa BMX track reflects on R.J. Monreal’s goggles. The 17-year-old is from Land O’ Lakes.
Wesley Chapel residents Chad Wilson, left, and Brayden Wilson, take advantage of the open house at the Tampa BMX Track, inside Lake Park, on June 11.
Port Richey rider Karen Young, 63, stays true to her last name and takes a youthful ride around Tampa BMX track in Lutz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several BMX riders get ready to head down the starting gate ramp during an open house event on June 11.
Fearless BMX riders rapidly make their way around the Tampa BMX track located inside Lake Park in Lutz.
Nine-year-old Chandler Davis, of Zephyrhills, comes down the finishing stretch at Tampa BMX.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four-year-old Sebastian Sierra, of Wesley Chapel, is an avid BMX rider at Tampa BMX. The track is at Lake Park in Lutz.
Fearless BMX riders rapidly make their way around the Tampa BMX track located inside Lake Park in Lutz.
BMX riders head down the starting ramp at Tampa BMX, a track that has been inside Lake Park, in Lutz, since 1974.