Area motorheads, take heart. The 1970s have returned to the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, and the "Me Decade" is bringing a nostalgic excitement -- fueled by speed, high octane and roaring engines -- with it.

More than a year in the making, the Orangeburg Motoplex is in the process of reinvigorating the motorsports scene in the Garden City, punctuated by the thunder of motorcycles competing in different classifications. The local quartet of men who make up Orangeburg Motoplex LLC -- Michael Baldwin, Rickey Black, Ed Salley and Dean Staley -- share a single-minded passion for motorcycle racing. They have put money, time and thousands of man hours into renovating the old race track at the fairgrounds.

However, even more important to the group than just improving the facility is their drive to re-create a wholesome atmosphere in which both participants and spectators can enjoy live racing.

"We're bringing back a very clean, family- and child-oriented sport that the entire family can come and enjoy," Baldwin said. "Our main focus is on the kids. We took over something that had faded away and rebuilt it. We made it better and added onto it."

Black added, "It's a clean sport in which we have folks from ages 4, 5 and 6 all the way up to age 74 participating."

"We put in a lot of elbow grease to bring back the track so that kids can have a fun place to go rather than to the streets or to jail," said Salley, a former motorcycle racer who competed at the fairgrounds track back in its heyday. "You might say our motto is 'Do It On The Track, Not The Street.' The street has blue lights, but our track doesn't."

The safety of both racers and spectators alike is also important to the ownership group. Ambulance and medical personnel are on hand at all track events. Requirements for safe riding are also strictly enforced.

The Orangeburg Motocross has already been featured by writer Ken Hutto at www.cyclenews.com. Hutto reported the results of the first races held in the spring and another series of Pro Am and Open Pro races in early July. Hutto wrote that the racing action in Orangeburg " ... was second to none" and that the new track ownership personnel " ... are dedicated to making this a venue worth taking a second look at."

Black says that event featured 41 entries and more than 150 spectators in the stands based solely on word-of-mouth, although he says sponsorship opportunities are available.

Jordan Hawkins of Orangeburg, a 17-year-old who "just wants to have fun" but harbors dreams of turning pro, has raced on the Motoplex's motocross track. Hawkins says the track is more competitive for the riders and offers more action for the spectators than like venues.

"It's great because it's a tighter track that most others," Hawkins said. "The racing is close, and you experience a good battle. The track started off a little rough but (the owners) just worked on it each day and got it together."

"Having a track in Orangeburg is great for someone who wants to develop their riding skills because you have to practice at least three times a week to stay sharp," he said. "It also helps keep you off the streets."

The present facility consists of a quarter-mile dirt flat track and a three-eighths mile motocross track, both of which were entirely resurfaced with loads of sand and clay. The new flat track sits on virtually the same footprint as the old banked track used at the fairgrounds 30 years ago.

Australian Luke Gough, a flat track racer participating in his first year on the American pro circuit, says he was impressed with the Orangeburg track.

"I ran there a few times this summer, and it was so much fun," Gough said. "The track is awesome, and the ownership there is just doing great things. It's different from many other tracks in the U.S. in that it has tight corners and long straightaways. The dirt is also different. It has a kind of sandy quality to it that the tires really bite into when the track is prepared."

There are other plans in store for further expansion of the Orangeburg Motoplex. Baldwin says a 300-foot ATV and dirt bike white sand drag strip that will be exclusive to the area and to the Southeast will be added, as will a go-cart track. The group also has plans to seek sanctioning by the American Motorcycle Association for some races in the near future.

Nine months of electrical and resurfacing work on the tracks were needed before the first event -- a benefit for the town of Branchville -- was staged over Memorial Day weekend.

"Benefits are going to be a big part of what we do in the future," Salley said. "We are going to organize poker runs to the fairgrounds and give donations to those who need it."

"This is not just a business," Baldwin added. "We want to open this facility up to the community at large so everyone can enjoy it. We're looking into possibly having what we call 'Pay & Play' days in the near future, probably on a Saturday evening, where folks can come in and use the track."

Since June, other events have taken place at the Motoplex, all of which have set the stage for three motorcycle races that will be held during the Orangeburg County Fair, Sept. 29-Oct. 5. All three races will start at 7 p.m. and are free to the public with admission to the fair.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, there will be a motocross and flat track practice, followed by a motocross and youth ATV drag race on Friday, Oct. 3, and a flat track race on Saturday, Oct. 4. A complete listing of races, participant rules and regulations and videos of past races at the Motoplex can be found at www.orangeburgmotoplex.com.

Situated around the track are amenities including a large grand stand, indoor restrooms and concessions, additional lighting, a new public address system and a water truck.

"Although its also in the planning stage now, we anticipate having numerous motorsport events at the Orangeburg Motoplex," Baldwin said. "That not only means a greatly expanded schedule of motorcycle races, including a possible winter series, but also motorsports other than motorcycles. Physical improvements to the tracks are ongoing, but we couldn't have done all the work without the help of guys like Mark Jackson, Billy Ott, Speedy Davis and many other volunteers too numerous to mention."

All the partners of Orangeburg Motoplex say they feel the public will be drawn to the sport because of the skill level of the racers and the heart and soul they put into it.

"It's NASCAR on two wheels," Salley said. "If you have never seen it before, it is a sight to behold."

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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