2012 INDUCTEE TERRY REDDEN

Began Racing in 1979.
Held First Races in Western Nebraska.
Kearney BMX Track Operator.

Terry Redden and a group of kids from Indianola, Nebraska began what were the first BMX tracks in western Nebraska in the mid to late 1970’s. In 1976 or 1977 Terry read a story on Yamaha’s Moto Bike in a Cycle World or similar magazine. The article had several black & white BMX racing photos, and pictures of the Moto Bike they tested. The story mentioned how kids in California were having organized races in the vacant lots of California cities. A light bulb went on over his head and he thought “Why couldn’t that happen anywhere, even his tiny hometown?” By 1979 he began making trails and dirt jumps in the ditches on the northeast edge of Indianola, Nebraska and as more and more kids started riding them, we formed many f riendships that would lead to more bike riding all over town in later years. They built a tiny track with five turns and no jumps in Tom Slater’s back yard, and the first “somewhat organized” race was held. Five or six of kids raced that day in the summer of 1979.

A second track was laid out in Don Wood’s backyard a few months later. It too was a simple design, weaving around some trees, and didn’t have any permanent jumps simply because they didn’t want to have a permanent footprint in their backyard. Only one race was held here, with a half dozen people racing. Another month or so went by and a third track was built across the alley from their backyard. This layout was more complex, and featured a couple of banked turns and a couple of small dirt jumps. They knew we were onto something. Terry won the overall champion trophy that first year.

In 1980 they built another track on Wood’s property. They had the landowner’s approval to build and maintain the track during the summer months. Terry and his gang were all excited to build and race at this latest location. Turns were bigger, the jumps were bigger, and the track itself was wider. Word was beginning to spread through the school system that we were racing on Saturdays during the summer months, and more racers were turning out every month to try their skills at Bicycle Motocross racing. They raced 10 Saturdays that year, all on the same track, with points earned and season’s-end age division champions were crowned. An overall champion from the 5 division winners was also awarded an overall champion’s trophy. Jim Hager, from the Novice division, won the overall trophy. Ten more races were held the summer of 1981, with some advertising at Big Ed’s Bike Barn, and Budke Motors in McCook. This was by far their best year. Jim Hager and Terry were interviewed by a lady from The Indianola News newspaper. Races continued at the Woods track through 1983.

Terry rediscovered BMX in central Nebraska by reading about a BMX track operating in Broken Bow sometime around 2002, and in 2005 Kearney had a track built. He took in a couple of races as a spectator at Broken Bow, and began volunteering at the Kearney track in 2006 after watching races there. In 2007 Terry started racing again and worked at the track as well. As a racer, he has since participated in many local, state, Redline, and National races.

In 2008 Terry became the second Track Operator at Tri-City BMX. During the years since, the track has hosted many double and triple point races, including two Redline Cup Qualifiers, several clinics, state qualifiers, benefit races and more. He has served in many roles during that time; including treasurer, concessions/ sign-up building, track work and maintenance, vice-president, secretary/race reporter, track announcer, head official, and all correspondence with the ABA. They’ve done television interviews and segments with the local TV station, parades and car/motorcycle shows to promote the sport and track. Through the combined efforts of the ABA, Kearney Visitor’s Bureau, County Fair Board, Brad Kernick, Jed Bespalec, and Terry another National race weekend happened in 2011 in Kearney. Terry Redden was inducted into the Nebraska BMX Hall of Fame on August 18th, 2012.