Kittanning Park Hosting Outdoor Racing Series

by Jonathan Weaver

Kittanning has held racing through the water this summer, so it’s only fair that the area also has racing through the dirt and mud.

The American Woods Racing Championship Series has a new course for next weekend’s round: Kittanning Community Park.

Nicknamed “The Coal Miner,” the race in Community Park and other private properties owned by Snyder Bros. and Walt Houser is sure to bring hundreds of families and bike and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) racers of all ages to the center of Armstrong County, said series co-owner Steve Stiller.

“We’re really family-organized. We have over 200 kids racing and over 400 adults,” Stiller said. “We’re the second-largest series on the East coast.

“We normally bring (a total of) 1,500-2,000 people through the gates.”

Stiller and wife, Amy, purchased the declining racing circuit – which is thought to have been formed in 1998 - in 2009 and the family have held races in the tri-state area within two hours of Pittsburgh ever since. A similar race two years ago was held at Scrubgrass OHV Park in Templeton and a similar race was held to kick off this season in Parker at the end of April.

“Since it was at Scrubgrass, the series has grown 22 percent in `15 and about a 25 percent growth in `16. We contribute that to the family values,” Stiller said. “When I bought (the championship series) in `09, there were 17 kids that raced – now, we’re over 200.

“(In 2009) the series was going downhill. You’d be lucky to get 200 racers total.”

Steve, who raced both bike and ATV since 1982 and was classified as an “expert A” racer at racing championship series events, helped the circuit from 2000 until the family bought it. He now refers to it as a “mini vacation for families.”

Turney Luke, of the 700 Shop, is sponsoring next weekend’s race after the business partnered with the racing series in the past.

“We want to share our passion for motorcycles – and the best way to do that is through the youth so they can stay out of trouble, learn how to ride a bike, race and do constructive things rather than things that are harmful to them,” Luke said.

Typically, the 700 Shop gives out prizes for the racing series winners.

Luke used to dirt bike but now has a road bike.

Luke’s nephew, 19-year-old Mason “Racin` Mason” Atherton (of Clarion-Limestone), has ridden since he was three years old.

“He’s wicked fast as far as I’m concerned,” Luke said. “He’s a good young man. I think motorcycling has put a lot of positive things in his life.

“It’s more popular than people think it is.”

Caige Crissman, 20 of Brick Church, - a “B Class” rider - has ridden four-wheelers throughout his life but just started racing last weekend. He will compete in Kittanning.

“In 2014, I decided I wanted to hit a (championship series) race – I did the last round of the year and got hooked on it,” Crissman said. “Here I am two years later racing full-time.”

A 2014 Lenape Tech graduate, Crissman also inspired his cousin, Austin Hankey – also of Brick Church –, to race dirt bikes.

Crissman has placed as high as 16th overall - during the Fourth of July weekend at Fantasy Whitetail in Boyers (Butler County).

“I just love to ride - once you go race, you don’t want to quit. I just have a blast doing it,” Crissman said.

Pitting will also be on Clyde and Laura Brown’s property next weekend.

A $15 gate fee will be assessed through the weekend or $50 per household family.

Spectators six years of age and younger will be free.

Stiller hopes Kittanning firefights can sell food during the event.

The racing season will conclude October 8-9 in Patton (Cambria County) at a 6,000-acre off-road park.

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