MILTON, Ky. (July 2004) – The sound of roaring engines breaks through the Sunday afternoon silence on Nubbin Ridge Road in Milton, Ky., but only after the service at Corn Creek Baptist Church is over.
Travis Durand is especially careful to not disturb the church, which he attends when there’s not a race. He is also careful to promote a Christian atmosphere at D-Track, the nearby moto-cross-ATV dirt track he owns and operates.

Photo provided A group of young riders prepare to race.

"We’ve had a lot of response from people that always race, and usually races are on Sundays. They never get a chance to go to church,” Durand said. Because of this, he holds a small worship service before each race on Saturdays and Sundays.
“The biggest thing that I want people to know about our track is that we’re a Christian family, and we make that the main focus of every race.”
Durand built the dirt track 12 years ago on two acres of his family farm. It began as a place for him and his friends to practice. “I built it just because I was struggling to learn how to race,” he said.
The first real race was held at the track in December 2002. Since then, D-Track as it is now known, has become one of the most popular tracks in the area, drawing people from as far away as Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville. Last year the track hosted as many as 70 riders each race. This year that number has grown to around 100. “Sometimes we think we’re outgrowing ourselves,” said Durand.
Work-related injuries have in recent years kept Durand off a motorcycle. Instead of riding, he now promotes the sport from his own backyard. D-track is located next to Durand’s house. And running it has become a full-time job. With the help of his wife, Amanda, and brother, John, Durand opens the track seven days a week for both practices and races. More than 14 races will be held there this year.
D-Track features both Motocross and ATV racing. There are 24 classes in the former and 17 in the later. Races are typically held two weekends each month.
While safety is a concern in any kind of motorsports, Durand does what he can to minimize injuries.

Photo provided Racer Nick Howard goes airborne at the D-Track.

"A lot of people think that it’s a dangerous sport, and it can be if you’re not wearing the right safety equipment. But we push safety,” Durand said. Track rules require helmets, boots above the ankle, gloves, eye protection and long sleeves.
“In riders’ meetings I always go over safety issues and make sure everybody knows we’re just trying to have fun here.”
Children as young as four years old and adults alike can be found negotiating the track. Among them is 14-year-old Nick Cleveland of Milton.
Cleveland, who lives conveniently close to D-Track, has been racing motorcycles since he was just 5 years old. He now competes in the 125-B intermediate division. Cleveland, who will be a sophomore next year at Trimble County High School, said he likes the Christian atmosphere at the track: “It’s fun. Everybody gets along with you.” He added that he also enjoys the competition.
Cleveland will be one of the D-Track regulars who will attend next year the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Motocross Camp in Marshall, Ind. The camp was held for the first time last year there at the FCA’s 530-acre National Conference Center facility. The week-long camp offered riders age 7 to adult the opportunity to hone their skills. This year’s camp was held June 28 - July 1.
D Track, which promotes the FCA camp, will help as many riders as possible attend next year by hosting a raffle of a Suzuki FCA RMZ 250 motorcycle, donated by track sponsor Commonwealth Suzuki of Louisville. Raffle tickets are on sale now through October for $5 each. The drawing will be held at the October race. Proceeds from that race will also go toward 2005 FCA motocross camp scholarships. Upcoming races at D-Track will be held July 25 and Aug. 1.

• For more information about the track, visit www.dtrackmotocross.com.