• Home
• At The Shore
• Events

The roar of the ocean competes with the roar of hundreds of motorcycles and quads as the three-day "Spring Thunder in the Sand," American Motocross Association-sanctioned motocross races, takes over the wide beach at Schellenger and Spencer avenues in Wildwood.

This year's event promises to be bigger than ever with more than 100 people registered to race in advance. That's more than three times the usual number of pre-registrants, says organizer Irene Myers, secretary of Thunder Moto.

Myers believes the increased interest is largely due to her own son --- 9-year-old Alan -- who spread the word while the family traveled to motocross events in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey this year.

Alan started racing at age 4 on the mile-plus-long professionally designed track on Wildwood beach.

"It's a great race if you've never done it before, as the sand is very forgiving," Myers says. "That's how my son started and now I can't stop him."

Racers are male and female, aged 4 to 45 years, Myers says. They ride either two-wheel dirt bikes or four-wheel quads. They must have goggles, helmets and tethers to keep them with their vehicles if they fall, and bars that keep their feet from going under the tires. Racers also must purchase an AMA card for $39.

Pro dirt bike rider Jason Lawrence usually shows up to Thunder in the Sand, Myers says, as does pro quad rider Ryan Ace.

Racers are organized into classes based on their age and the size of the vehicle. There are 23 dirt bike classes and 15 quad classes, including classes for females who are increasingly taking up the sport, Myers says. Girls and women also can sign up to compete against the boys.

Many racers and spectators who turn out for this weekend's events will be marking their calendars for the Fall Thunder in the Sand, which roars onto the beach Oct. 9 through 11.

'Spring Thunder in the Sand'

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. practice, and 6:30 p.m. drag race Friday, May 29. Racing action starts at noon Saturday, May 30, and at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 31.

WHERE: Beach at Schellenger and Spencer avenues, Wildwood

HOW MUCH: $10 to participate in Friday's practice and drag race; amateurs pay $30 to race, pros pay $40. Camp on the beach for $75 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; $50 for Friday and Saturday nights. To pre-register, call the number below or go to the web site. Spectator bleacher seats are $7 and available at the gate.

MORE INFO: Call 609-523-8051 or go to www.ThunderMoto.com.

Dovells doo wop

Rock, stomp and start the summer off right with the legendary Dovells at Avalon's Community Hall, 30th Street and the Beach, at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30. The Avalon Performing Arts Council presents the Doo Wop Dance Concert, one of the country's top oldies musical acts. Jerry Gross and Mark Stevens will perform timeless hits such as, "The Bristol Stomp," "You Can't Sit Down," and "Wildwood Days." Admission is $15; arrive in a 1950s car and the owner gets in free. Tickets are available at Community Hall. The snack bar will serve food and beverages, or bring your own. Call 609-967-3066 to make reservations.

'3 Sisters' at Stockton

Jazz Rockballet presents the dance-play, "3 Sisters," at the Richard Stockton College Performing Arts Center in Galloway Township 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 30. The performance is directed by Ann Stein-Heemskerk. The cast includes Little Sister Morgan Schutz, 10, of Linwood; Middle Sister Chelsea Fortunato, 13, of Linwood; and Big Sister Jordan Ippolito, 17, of Ocean City. The music is an eclectic blend of new age, classical, jazz, pop and rock. Elaborate costumes, original dances and technical finesse promise a memorable experience. Tickets are $22 at the box office. Call 609-652-9000 or go to www.stockton.edu/pac.

Parrotheads in

Wildwood Crest

Hankering for a cheeseburger in paradise, er, Wildwood Crest? Parrotbeach, below, one of the region's most popular Jimmy Buffett tribute bands, performs a free outdoor concert from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Fern Road Fitness Park, Fern Road and Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest. The borough's Tourism Development Commission is presenting what is expected to be the first annual Jimmy Buffett Tribute Weekend. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs. Food and beverages will be available to buy. Go to www.parrotbeach.com or call 609-523-0202.

No comments have been posted. Be the first poster!

PressofAtlanticCity.com offers everyone the opportunity to comment on published stories. However, it is impractical for editors to screen all comments.
If you believe a comment is offensive, please click on the abuse-reporting link and your objection will be considered by an editor. We encourage participants to use their real names, but inoffensive screen names are acceptable. Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them.
Please post responsibly. Do not post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy.
Be polite. Don’t hate. Users who don’t play by the rules may be blocked from participating.

View our full terms of service and privacy agreement

Click here to report a comment as abusive.

You must login to post a new comment