Have you ever heard the expression, "It gets into your blood"? Well I had the opportunity to experience it first hand. I was recovering from a knee injury. It was still stiff, yet I wanted to ride bad, but I couldn’t. I did not want to risk further injury so I decided the next best thing to racing was to video it. That’s how I got my first M.X. rush. I video taped my friend Sam Haugen, when I wax him in the viewfinder I became an immediate adrenaline junky. So hi ho, hi ho, off to the Berm Benders I go. On the way, I was again wondering how Berm Benders came to be. When I arrived I looked up Mike Christy Jr. and asked him who to talk to. He pointed to the scorer booth and said go see Barb Scott; she’s the heartbeat of racing here.

Dick: I am Dick Van Bramer, I have been doing some stories on the tracks and racers, and yours has always intrigued me. This looks to be a bad time for talking.

Barb: Madhouse would fit the bill. Kris can you help him?

Kris: Hi Dick, actually I am quite busy too. It’s crazy around here right now. I will get you an orange vest and I heard you say you wanted to get some video of the track? After you’re done things should calm down a bit and then we can talk.

Dick: Thanks Kris. (Kris looks to be the pulse of racing here at Berm Benders). Yes Ma’am, Video. So off I was to get my weekly dose of adrenaline, via video. A couple times the flagger’s had to warn me of on coming traffic. (It’s like being in another world when I’m taping). I was grateful for the warning, but joked one time "did I have to look out for crocs? The flagger said “No, but some motorcycles just went threw where you're standing”. OOO doggy it’s not always the adults looking out for the young. Then he told me he would whistle when they were on the way again. With all the excitement I forgot to get his name. I hope I at least thanked him, if not thank you and the other flaggers for doing an excellent job. I did talk with the las t flagger before the finish line he’s Joe Ruis.

Joe: Hey did you see those kids on those 50’s. They are so cool! They’re 1st and 2nd graders.

Dick: Yes I saw them, yes they are cool! They almost don’t look real.

Joe: Oh but they are real. You should see the look in their eyes. I could stand right next to the track and maybe not get hit, they all take this same line right here, but I don’t. One came up here right by my coat, my chair, I mean my coat is m y chair I sit until I hear them coming again, they are so cool to watch.

Dick: Well I hear them coming, nice talking with you Joe.

Joe: Thanks! Nice talking to you, I’ll see you around.

(Back at the scorers shed).

Barb: Did you get some good video? I have about 15 minutes. So fire away.

Dick: Yes I did get some good video. How did you come to own an M.X. Race Track?

Barb: It was the summer of 1978, we were on our way home from the M.X. races at North Star, Jim Jr. had raced there. We were talking about some M.X. tracks that had closed. Jim Sr. said he knew where there was a track for sale. It was used for snowmobile races, oval only. So we talked with our friends and two other couples, they each had three sons who raced, so we bought it. We had our first race in the spring of 1979;about 400 racers showed up.

Dick: Snowmobiles? Hmm, ever think of having snow-cross?

Barb: No not here. It would cost too much money; we’d lose money. We don’t make much money at M.X. racing. This is more of a family reunion, a Scott family reunion.

Dick: When I walk the pits I get that feeling of family, you are so right it’s not just racing there are many family reunions, I heard one racer say the only time they get along is at the races. M.X. families they truly are what is right with Amer ica. You say a Scott family reunion. This is one heck of a family reunion, how do you get time to socialize?

Barb: You always have time for friends and family. Everyone you see working is an in-law, out-laws or ex-law. Except today we have the Wolf Pack Basketball Team from Milaca along with there coach Chris Ruis. The players are: Adam Ruis, Joe Ruis , Josh Ruis, Pat Miller, Randy Hjort, Dustin Krotzer, Greg Kuperus, Cody Pearson and Shawn Nelson.

Dick: They should be good at that, good attention span and quick on their feet. They saved my hide. Are they going to be doing more flagging?

Barb: They’ll be back for one more, they are earning money for their team. Mike Jr’s wife, Patty is from Milaca that’s where the Wolf Pack connection comes in.

Dick: Oh Mike Christy, Jr., and the only man I know to bridge the generations. So is this a family business?

Barb: I don't think I said business, this is more of a family hobby, a family reunion.

Dick: Does your family live on site?

Barb: No but they keep an eye on the place when there are no races.

Dick: Are the other two families still involved?

Barb: No, but we bought the last family out in 1990. Their boys don’t race anymore. Jim Jr. still does and Dan Bauer. He is married to our oldest daughter; he used to ride his dirt bike behind our house in Brooklyn Park that’s how they met.

Kris: Mom! Mom! The show is on.

Barb: Sorry Dick, its back to business.

Dick: That's okay. Oh man another source of adrenaline right here in the scorer’s shack. My hat is off to these ladies being able to read those numbers as those bikes flash by. Thank you for giving up some of your time.

Barb & Kris: Thank you Dick for taking an interest in the other side of racing.