Hoosier Trail Riders motorcycle club to help GCSD reserve program

Brent Dillman has witnessed the many good things the Greene County Sheriff's Department reserves do for area residents.

That's why he believes it's important for his organization -- the Hoosier Trail Riders motorcycle club -- to help the reserves each year in the form of raising funds.

"Eddie Michael is the captain of the reserves, and he lives right out by us (near Calvertville in northeastern Greene County)," Dillman, president of the Hoosier Trail Riders Club, said. "Plus, it's a good way to raise some money for them.

"We've been their biggest donator the past few years. We help raise money for funds so they can buy their equipment."

The Hoosier Trail Riders will host an off-road motorcycle race in the Calvertville area Sunday. Dillman said this is the fifth fundraiser his club has hosted for the reserves.

The Sheriff's Reserve program is a volunteer organization in which civic-minded individuals assist law enforcement officials in their duties.

Some of the reserve's duties include traffic details, special event patrols and working road duty to beef up the current roster of sheriff's deputies.

The Sheriff's Reserves are self-funded and must raise their own funds for uniforms, weapons, and other necessary gear.

"One year we raised $750 for the day," Dillman said. "We're hoping to get around $1,000 this year.

"A lot of people have never seen this type of racing, but once they come, they really enjoy it."

Racing will start at 9 a.m. with the Pee-Wee 50cc riders for ages 4-8 and will run for 30 minutes.

The next race at 10 a.m. will be the 65cc and 85cc riders for ages 7-15 for one hour, and the last race at noon will be the big bikes. They will run for two hours.

The riders will tackle a number of obstacles on the seven-mile course that includes hills, rocks, creeks, and logs.

Dillman says there are several areas along the track for spectators to view the skills of the riders such as "Telephone Pole Alley," "Tire Pit Jump" and the "Big Hill."

Dillman said anyone can race Sunday, though they must join the American Motorcycle Association and the Indiana District 15 organization to be eligible.

"As far as coming in to watch, anyone can do that," Dillman said.

Dillman has been involved with the Hoosier Trail Riders since 1993, and "the club started in the early 1980s," he said.

There are 50-60 members, and they meet once a month.

"We basically meet at Bloomington. One of our members has a business up there and a lot of room," Dillman said.

The course for Sunday's event is located on Dillman's property. To get there from Bloomfield, take State Route 157 North to County Road 110E (Calvertville turn off) and then turn left on County Road 450 East to the track.

Orange and black arrows will mark the way when you turn onto County Road 110 East.

Admission is $5 per person, with children under 6 free. There will be a concession stand.

Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Greg Swanson will have a booth set Sunday up to pass out forms and answer questions about off-road vehicle registrations and any other DNR related issues.