Western New York Racing: A new progression in Motocross!
Lifted by Horsepower, Grounded in Family
On any given weekend, the typical motocross facility is awash with the spirit of family, friendship and community accented by friendly rivalry and fierce competition. Although it is an individual sport, motocross provides us with an opportunity to participate in something bigger than ourselves. Any racer will tell you, the atmosphere at the track on race day is something that has to be experienced to truly understand; the sight of a bike being power-washed, the deep bellow of a 450, the fading smell of premix, the dirt under your boots as you walk through the pits, and those inward, all-too-silent moments between the turn of the board and the drop of the gate. All of these things conspire to make motocross one of the most satisfying sports around. However, none of this would even be possible without the keen vision of promoters who create and maintain the facilities we use. The Frozen Ocean motocross track in Auburn, New York is the brainchild of Bill N. Denman and his son Bill Denman Jr., but they’ll be the first to tell you, the undertaking has always relied on the support of the entire family and community.
Having not competed in a race until the age of fifteen, a latecomer by today’s standards, Bill Jr. had been riding dirt bikes since the age of five. A talented and devoted competitor, Bill never let his late start stand in the way of what he wanted to accomplish. In 1982 he placed third in the 125 amateur class during the Broome-Mexico Pepsi Challenge Series, and third overall in combined points for the amateur and expert classes which, in the early 80’s, ran with much higher numbers than we see today. At 18, he secured a sixteenth place finish at Loretta Lynn’s just days after a surgery to fix an infected toe. And the highlights didn’t end there. By 1983, at age 19, Bill had moved up to the expert class and won the Genesee Cup Series at Royal Mountain. That same year, despite injuries, he placed third overall on the 125s, and eighth overall in the 250 Expert class. A year later, in 1984, he turned pro, but suffered a broken collarbone while competing in the Florida Winter Series. The following year, while racing the Pro Winter Series in California, Bill Jr. had one of his most memorable moments when he was the starting gate neighbor of his idol, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah. Bill continued to have success in 1986, winning the 125 and 250 Expert Class Series at Thunder Ridge, and claiming the overall 250 Expert Championship while simultaneously placing second overall in the 125 Expert class despite attending only eighteen of the approximately thirty CNYMRA District 3 races. Even with all the success throughout the season, two serious injuries and a lack of sponsorship forced him to rethink his aspirations toward an AMA National Championship.
“The cost and pressures of racing without sponsorship are overwhelming, and the injuries more serious. Finally, there is no motocross every weekend and there is a great void for everyone” writes Loraine Denman, Bill Sr.’s wife and the mother of their son. “Then a thought comes to mind. Why not a motocross track of our own?” And so it began.
While driving his combine through a wheat field where his son’s practice track was located, Bill Sr. realized the opportunity that lay before him. A hill overlooking the field seemed to be the perfect place for a track and spectator area. He realized that the riders and the spectators were the most important part of any racing facility. “You’ve got to be thinking of them first,” he concluded, and he wanted “a track with the rider and spectator in mind” which was to become their motto. After reflecting on some of the races he had attended where the racers were out of sight for large portions of a lap, he came to another conclusion, “If we’re going to build a track,” he decided, “we’re going to build it so you can watch the whole race, not just half or ¾ of it.” Bill Sr. remained true to his word, and to this day Frozen Ocean remains arguably the best spectator track in the area.
It all started with Bill Sr. making a call to the Western New York Sports Commission for details on how to get the project off the ground. The commission looked it over, signed off on the idea, and things started rolling. Bill enrolled the help of fellow promoter Dave Robinson, who would become a partner and also provide necessary equipment such as the starting gate. If you’ve ever been to Frozen Ocean, the most obvious thing when you pull in, besides the rolling hills of the surrounding area, is the early-model Suzuki, also donated by Dave, which proudly adorns the entrance to the facility. “It was probably in perfect working condition when we put it up there,” remarks Bill Sr. with a nostalgic smile.
The entire track was designed by his son, Bill Denman Jr.. Drawing on his own experience as a racer, he put all his efforts into designing a track that would be challenging enough for experienced riders, forgiving for beginners, and most importantly, fun for racers and spectators alike. Constantly searching for obstacles that would best suit the riders, he would watch televised races, visit other tracks, talk to the riders, and draw on his personal knowledge of tracks around the country. He was constantly on the lookout for any ideas that would set Frozen Ocean apart and give riders a taste of obstacles from national caliber tracks. From the jump, the Denmans sought to create a track that would surpass expectations and leave riders and fans craving for more. “I would go to other tracks and see what was working, and what I thought I could do better.” Remarks Bill Sr. That quest for perfection meant that the facility would forever be evolving and improving upon itself.
In March of 1987 they began to carve the track out of the rich, loamy hillside. Already possessing the necessary machinery, and with the help of family and friends, the undertaking was completed in short order. The original track was rigorously tested by Bill Jr. and local pro-rider, Chris Coleman. Bill Sr. remembers Chris going out and riding the track until he was out of gas, refilling, and then doing it all over again. After a few modest changes, the pair deemed the track ready for racing. At the same time, tremendous work was also being done to upgrade the facility itself. Bill’s other son Dave brought in nearly two thousand tons of gravel and dirt from the farm, in addition to purchasing eighteen-hundred tons of gravel, to construct the driveways, parking lots, and building sites. Bill Sr. constantly strived to be a leader in the motocross community, and his track would be the first in the district to offer flush-toilet facilities. A large pavilion, also a first in the district, was soon to follow which would serve as a rider sign-up area, concession stand, and a refuge from the heat of the summer sun.
In 1991 Bill Jr. meticulously planned and built another track on the property, which was to be raced on Saturday night. The new track was shorter, and with less elevation changes, more reminiscent of a Supercross track. In fact, the Denmans even called their new racing enterprise “Supercross.” However, a debate with the AMA forced them to change it to Arenacross, which it remained until in 2004 it again changed names to “Night Motocross” when the track was expanded and made more rider-friendly. The changes were well received by riders and fans alike, and the Saturday-night events quickly became a staple of their racing promotion. Frozen Ocean also featured four-wheeler racing and a successful go-kart track until insurance issues, and the strain of racing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday got to be too much to safely continue, and both programs were scrapped.
Since its first race in April of 1987, Frozen Ocean has continuously been evolving into one of the premier racing facilities in the state. Some recent amenities include a complete irrigation and watering system that covers both tracks, announcer’s towers complete with a state of the art sound system that covers the entire facility, concrete starting pads, more flush toilets in the pit area, a professional lighting system for the Night MX track, and a 22-foot concession trailer with a 4-foot grill that can be towed from track to track. This year, a new fully-wired ticket booth has been built, and also in the works is a display board near the sign-up area which will feature the pictures and names of past race winners.
Along with every success story come tales of hardship. In the past, a few neighbors have complained about the commotion. However, all of these disputes were settled with relatively little disturbance by reaching a compromise to cease racing operations by 11:30pm regardless of the remainder of the racing program. The weather has been the main cause of stress for Bill Sr. It cuts down on rider entries, can cause hazardous conditions, and creates an all around mess of things. “You can walk away from a person,” he says, “You can’t walk away from two inches of water on the track.” The main problem facing the track this year is a recent congressional bill, the “Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008” which effectively bans youth racers from participating due to the lead content of their motorcycles. While petitions are going around to discard this bill, it is unclear what its true impact will be on the racing community. As racers, or fans, I urge all of you to look into this issue and do what you can to help.**
Another major change is sweeping through the local racing community this year. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, a recent split with the Western New York Motocross Association over irresolvable differences has Frozen Ocean looking in a new direction for the upcoming year. Along with Freedom, Palmyra, and Area 51, Frozen Ocean has teamed up with a new sanctioning body in WNY Racing to usher in a fresh new era of racing. “What I enjoy most is that we have four tracks that really want to work together and have a good, fun series for the riders.” says Mr. Denman, “It’s a family sport and the tracks are acting more like a family to make it better for everybody. That’s our goal.” With all of the pieces coming together, this season looks to be an exciting one.
In just the short time that I spent talking with Mr. Denman and his wife, it was obvious that throughout the years, motocross has been the driving force in the Denman family. “It all goes back to family.” Bill Sr. proudly states.
“It’s taken a lot of our life.” Mrs. Denman chimes in, “What I love most is when the young kids get trophies bigger than they are. It’s nice to see that.”
From watching young Bill race on tracks across the country, to eventually designing and creating a track of their own that was to become one of the most successful in the area, motocross was the common denominator that drew the family together. It was what inspired them to give back so much to the community which helped them to get their start. At the end of our conversation, Bill Sr. chose these parting words, “I’d like to thank all the riders that have been there throughout the years supporting our facility and the sport of motocross. I wish you the best throughout all your life. Thanks for coming.”
The Denmans’ passion for motocross, and love of the people that surround the sport are what truly set Frozen Ocean apart, and make it a destination for the likes of Bruce Stratton, Brock Sellards, Davi Millsaps, the Alessis, Ryan Mills, also Bobby Kiniry and Paul Carpenter who got their start here, Carlo Coen, Casey Johnson, Barry Carsten, Travis Preston who sends Christmas cards, Kevin Crine, Thomas Addy and Travis Pastrana.
To this day, Bill Sr. spends countless hours making sure everything is in perfect working order so that racers and fans can enjoy themselves without having to worry about the condition of the facility. Ever the humble man, he insists that the best payback he’s received for all his efforts is the praise of the riders and spectators. When asked what his best moment at the track was, he was silent for a minute and then said simply, “I’ve made an awful lot of good friends.”
-Justin Mawhir, WNY Racing
**The bill in its entirety can be found at www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf and a petition can be found at http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=12661926&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
Having not competed in a race until the age of fifteen, a latecomer by today’s standards, Bill Jr. had been riding dirt bikes since the age of five. A talented and devoted competitor, Bill never let his late start stand in the way of what he wanted to accomplish. In 1982 he placed third in the 125 amateur class during the Broome-Mexico Pepsi Challenge Series, and third overall in combined points for the amateur and expert classes which, in the early 80’s, ran with much higher numbers than we see today. At 18, he secured a sixteenth place finish at Loretta Lynn’s just days after a surgery to fix an infected toe. And the highlights didn’t end there. By 1983, at age 19, Bill had moved up to the expert class and won the Genesee Cup Series at Royal Mountain. That same year, despite injuries, he placed third overall on the 125s, and eighth overall in the 250 Expert class. A year later, in 1984, he turned pro, but suffered a broken collarbone while competing in the Florida Winter Series. The following year, while racing the Pro Winter Series in California, Bill Jr. had one of his most memorable moments when he was the starting gate neighbor of his idol, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah. Bill continued to have success in 1986, winning the 125 and 250 Expert Class Series at Thunder Ridge, and claiming the overall 250 Expert Championship while simultaneously placing second overall in the 125 Expert class despite attending only eighteen of the approximately thirty CNYMRA District 3 races. Even with all the success throughout the season, two serious injuries and a lack of sponsorship forced him to rethink his aspirations toward an AMA National Championship.
“The cost and pressures of racing without sponsorship are overwhelming, and the injuries more serious. Finally, there is no motocross every weekend and there is a great void for everyone” writes Loraine Denman, Bill Sr.’s wife and the mother of their son. “Then a thought comes to mind. Why not a motocross track of our own?” And so it began.
While driving his combine through a wheat field where his son’s practice track was located, Bill Sr. realized the opportunity that lay before him. A hill overlooking the field seemed to be the perfect place for a track and spectator area. He realized that the riders and the spectators were the most important part of any racing facility. “You’ve got to be thinking of them first,” he concluded, and he wanted “a track with the rider and spectator in mind” which was to become their motto. After reflecting on some of the races he had attended where the racers were out of sight for large portions of a lap, he came to another conclusion, “If we’re going to build a track,” he decided, “we’re going to build it so you can watch the whole race, not just half or ¾ of it.” Bill Sr. remained true to his word, and to this day Frozen Ocean remains arguably the best spectator track in the area.
It all started with Bill Sr. making a call to the Western New York Sports Commission for details on how to get the project off the ground. The commission looked it over, signed off on the idea, and things started rolling. Bill enrolled the help of fellow promoter Dave Robinson, who would become a partner and also provide necessary equipment such as the starting gate. If you’ve ever been to Frozen Ocean, the most obvious thing when you pull in, besides the rolling hills of the surrounding area, is the early-model Suzuki, also donated by Dave, which proudly adorns the entrance to the facility. “It was probably in perfect working condition when we put it up there,” remarks Bill Sr. with a nostalgic smile.
The entire track was designed by his son, Bill Denman Jr.. Drawing on his own experience as a racer, he put all his efforts into designing a track that would be challenging enough for experienced riders, forgiving for beginners, and most importantly, fun for racers and spectators alike. Constantly searching for obstacles that would best suit the riders, he would watch televised races, visit other tracks, talk to the riders, and draw on his personal knowledge of tracks around the country. He was constantly on the lookout for any ideas that would set Frozen Ocean apart and give riders a taste of obstacles from national caliber tracks. From the jump, the Denmans sought to create a track that would surpass expectations and leave riders and fans craving for more. “I would go to other tracks and see what was working, and what I thought I could do better.” Remarks Bill Sr. That quest for perfection meant that the facility would forever be evolving and improving upon itself.
In March of 1987 they began to carve the track out of the rich, loamy hillside. Already possessing the necessary machinery, and with the help of family and friends, the undertaking was completed in short order. The original track was rigorously tested by Bill Jr. and local pro-rider, Chris Coleman. Bill Sr. remembers Chris going out and riding the track until he was out of gas, refilling, and then doing it all over again. After a few modest changes, the pair deemed the track ready for racing. At the same time, tremendous work was also being done to upgrade the facility itself. Bill’s other son Dave brought in nearly two thousand tons of gravel and dirt from the farm, in addition to purchasing eighteen-hundred tons of gravel, to construct the driveways, parking lots, and building sites. Bill Sr. constantly strived to be a leader in the motocross community, and his track would be the first in the district to offer flush-toilet facilities. A large pavilion, also a first in the district, was soon to follow which would serve as a rider sign-up area, concession stand, and a refuge from the heat of the summer sun.
In 1991 Bill Jr. meticulously planned and built another track on the property, which was to be raced on Saturday night. The new track was shorter, and with less elevation changes, more reminiscent of a Supercross track. In fact, the Denmans even called their new racing enterprise “Supercross.” However, a debate with the AMA forced them to change it to Arenacross, which it remained until in 2004 it again changed names to “Night Motocross” when the track was expanded and made more rider-friendly. The changes were well received by riders and fans alike, and the Saturday-night events quickly became a staple of their racing promotion. Frozen Ocean also featured four-wheeler racing and a successful go-kart track until insurance issues, and the strain of racing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday got to be too much to safely continue, and both programs were scrapped.
Since its first race in April of 1987, Frozen Ocean has continuously been evolving into one of the premier racing facilities in the state. Some recent amenities include a complete irrigation and watering system that covers both tracks, announcer’s towers complete with a state of the art sound system that covers the entire facility, concrete starting pads, more flush toilets in the pit area, a professional lighting system for the Night MX track, and a 22-foot concession trailer with a 4-foot grill that can be towed from track to track. This year, a new fully-wired ticket booth has been built, and also in the works is a display board near the sign-up area which will feature the pictures and names of past race winners.
Along with every success story come tales of hardship. In the past, a few neighbors have complained about the commotion. However, all of these disputes were settled with relatively little disturbance by reaching a compromise to cease racing operations by 11:30pm regardless of the remainder of the racing program. The weather has been the main cause of stress for Bill Sr. It cuts down on rider entries, can cause hazardous conditions, and creates an all around mess of things. “You can walk away from a person,” he says, “You can’t walk away from two inches of water on the track.” The main problem facing the track this year is a recent congressional bill, the “Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008” which effectively bans youth racers from participating due to the lead content of their motorcycles. While petitions are going around to discard this bill, it is unclear what its true impact will be on the racing community. As racers, or fans, I urge all of you to look into this issue and do what you can to help.**
Another major change is sweeping through the local racing community this year. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, a recent split with the Western New York Motocross Association over irresolvable differences has Frozen Ocean looking in a new direction for the upcoming year. Along with Freedom, Palmyra, and Area 51, Frozen Ocean has teamed up with a new sanctioning body in WNY Racing to usher in a fresh new era of racing. “What I enjoy most is that we have four tracks that really want to work together and have a good, fun series for the riders.” says Mr. Denman, “It’s a family sport and the tracks are acting more like a family to make it better for everybody. That’s our goal.” With all of the pieces coming together, this season looks to be an exciting one.
In just the short time that I spent talking with Mr. Denman and his wife, it was obvious that throughout the years, motocross has been the driving force in the Denman family. “It all goes back to family.” Bill Sr. proudly states.
“It’s taken a lot of our life.” Mrs. Denman chimes in, “What I love most is when the young kids get trophies bigger than they are. It’s nice to see that.”
From watching young Bill race on tracks across the country, to eventually designing and creating a track of their own that was to become one of the most successful in the area, motocross was the common denominator that drew the family together. It was what inspired them to give back so much to the community which helped them to get their start. At the end of our conversation, Bill Sr. chose these parting words, “I’d like to thank all the riders that have been there throughout the years supporting our facility and the sport of motocross. I wish you the best throughout all your life. Thanks for coming.”
The Denmans’ passion for motocross, and love of the people that surround the sport are what truly set Frozen Ocean apart, and make it a destination for the likes of Bruce Stratton, Brock Sellards, Davi Millsaps, the Alessis, Ryan Mills, also Bobby Kiniry and Paul Carpenter who got their start here, Carlo Coen, Casey Johnson, Barry Carsten, Travis Preston who sends Christmas cards, Kevin Crine, Thomas Addy and Travis Pastrana.
To this day, Bill Sr. spends countless hours making sure everything is in perfect working order so that racers and fans can enjoy themselves without having to worry about the condition of the facility. Ever the humble man, he insists that the best payback he’s received for all his efforts is the praise of the riders and spectators. When asked what his best moment at the track was, he was silent for a minute and then said simply, “I’ve made an awful lot of good friends.”
-Justin Mawhir, WNY Racing
**The bill in its entirety can be found at www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf and a petition can be found at http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=12661926&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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