News > ERX Forges Alliance with BBBS of Central MN

ERX Motor Park Forges Alliance with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Minnesota

Midwest’s Premiere Motorsports Park Poised to Expand Community Awareness and Involvement of Youth Mentoring Organization

ELK RIVER (September 4, 2009); Demonstrating their commitment to the central Minnesota community beyond motorsports, owners of the Elk River Extreme (ERX) Motor Park are proud to announce a newly formed partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Minnesota. The relationship will tap into the passion for fellowship often demonstrated by the motorsports community and will broaden awareness of the organization and bolster participation in the mentoring of youth in central Minnesota and beyond.

Located on the outskirts of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area in the city of Elk River, ERX is a professionally designed and staffed year-round motorsports facility featuring racing, open practice, club events, demos and more for snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. With an emphasis on youth riders and family fun, the alignment with Big Brother and Big Sisters was an obvious one for park owners.

“We had been looking for an organization to align with since we opened the gates to ERX a year ago,” said Chris Carlson, who along with partner Todd Plaisted, owns and operates the ERX facility. “When Todd and I heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters and their need for community awareness and volunteers, we knew we had to get on board.”

According to Carlson and Plaisted, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization will become an active part of ERX and this winter’s Grassroots Snocross Series. Initial activities will include an information booth on-site during race events along with special “Big” nights where adult volunteers and their sponsored youth will gain special event access and privileges at ERX.

A “perfect fit” is a mutual feeling held by the organization’s Executive Director, Irv Cross. Cross, who many will recognize as the former National Football League Pro Bowl player for the Philadelphia Eagles as well an honored television analyst and commentator for the NFL, is excited about the exposure ERX will give to the organization in an area they have been trying to “tap” into for some time.

“Central Minnesota’s Big Brothers Big Sisters has a tremendous need for adult mentors as well as funding,” said Cross. “ERX brings to us a valuable combination of exposure and involvement within the community as well as providing a unique experience for current mentors to share with their kids.”

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Minnesota helps youth realize their potential by providing positive growth experience through one-to-one mentoring relationships. The central Minnesota organization is one of 471 affiliate agencies of the “Big” organization and serves children in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Morrison counties and the northern tier of Wright County. For more information visit their website at www.bbbscentralmn.org or call them at 1-888-600-1616.

ERX recently announced their 2009-2010 winter schedule with 8 events on-deck including five Thursday night Grassroots Snocross races, two regional International Series of Champions professional snocross weekends and a new Learn to Ride Snocross Clinic. ERX offers open-track practice for both motocross bikes and snowmobiles several days each week, and the facility is also available for private uses such as factory team testing, special dealer demo events, test rides, training and safety classes, swap meets, club functions and more.