PRESS RELEASE

USA BMX Announces New Sanctioned Track Coming to Orange County, Calif. 

A brand-new USA BMX-sanctioned race track has been approved at the Irvine Lake Recreational Area in Silverado, Calif.

TULSA, Okla. (Aug. 14, 2026)—On June 23, 2026, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the expansion of recreational opportunities at Irvine Lake to include a USA BMX track, paving the way for development of the new “Saddleback BMX” racing facility.

Already years in the making, Saddleback BMX will provide an exciting new home for the Orange County BMX community. The new racetrack will be located in the shadow of the legendary Saddleback Motocross Park where some of the earliest BMX races took place. The new track will seek to honor the sport’s deep local roots while creating exciting new challenges suitable for all ages and all skill levels.  

SoCal BMX is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation spearheading the effort, leading the development and operation of the new USA BMX race facility under an agreement with Irvine Lake operator James Productions. SoCal BMX is guided by a notable advisory panel and led by old-school BMX racer turned real estate attorney Sean Kading.

“I moved to Orange County in the late 1980s to pursue my BMX dreams, and it’s been hard to see the legends who helped build this sport here without a place to share it with their kids and grandkids. I knew I had to get involved,” said Kading. 

By investing in new facilities and building strong community partnerships, USA BMX and SoCal BMX are helping carry forward the region’s deep BMX roots while creating a place where the next generation of riders can find their start.

According to USA BMX Director of Business Development Justin Travis, the Saddleback BMX project represents an important step in expanding the sport’s footprint in California, where land constraints have limited the development of new tracks in recent years.

“Bringing a USA BMX facility back to Orange County is about more than adding another track; it’s about reconnecting the sport with a region that has played such an important role in BMX history,” said Travis. “Saddleback BMX will give local riders a place to develop while creating a stronger foundation for championship-level competition in Southern California and continued growth throughout California. The size of the Irvine Lake venue opens the door to larger state championship, regional qualifying and national events, bringing even more riders, families and energy to the region.”

The sport is poised for increased visibility and excitement as Olympic BMX racing returns to the United States for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, bringing renewed attention to the sport of BMX and its Southern California roots. With Olympic BMX racing set to occur in Los Angeles, Saddleback BMX and other regional tracks are anticipating a surge in popularity, increasing participation and strengthening the local BMX community.

This announcement is the latest in a series of bike-related amenities being added to Orange County parks, expanding opportunities for the region’s growing cycling community.

“Biking is as important as any stick-and-ball sport, so it’s exciting to see the attention being given to building facilities that support our riders,” said David Browning of the Orange County Mountain Bike Association (OCMTBA), a regional cycling advocacy organization. “From natural-surface trail systems, skills parks and pump tracks to BMX racing, Orange County is honoring its cycling roots.”

OCMTBA is proud to consider Sean and SoCal BMX valued members and partners of the organization.

As plans move forward, SoCal BMX is seeking community support to help bring the new Saddleback BMX facility to life. The 501(c)(3) organization has set a goal of raising $250,000 in cash and in-kind materials, including chain-link fencing, fill dirt, a starting gate, bleachers, shade structures, overhead lighting and retrofitted shipping containers to provide registration and concessions. Volunteers and donors are encouraged to get involved now as the project moves into the development phase.

“This is an exciting opportunity for donors to show their support for healthy outdoor recreation that reduces screen time and improves mental and physical health,” said Kading. “The new Saddleback BMX track has already earned the support of the BMX Action Foundation, the Orange County Mountain Bike Association and countless Orange County families.”

For more information, updates or to make a secure online donation, visit https://socalbmx.org.  

To get involved or donate, contact Sean Kading, President of SoCal BMX, at [email protected].

To set up an interview with a USA BMX representative or local BMX racers, please contact Alayna Dalgleish at [email protected] or (360) 703-8602.

About USA BMX

Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots. 

Through STEAM, scholarships, freestyle amateur events, the national series, the Olympics and new facilities built across the United States, these four pillars under the USA BMX organization will impact young riders and families: USA BMX Foundation, USA BMX Freestyle, USA BMX Racing and ABA Ethos.

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Media Contact: Alayna Dalgleish | 360-703-8602 | [email protected]