Tucked into the side of the Jemez Mountains, 47 carefully sculpted acres of earth are alive with the buzzing of motorcycle engines.
And that is just the way John Shires likes it.
The 22-year-old UNM junior business major is just beginning to reap the rewards of his 18-month commitment to creating the newest motocross track in New Mexico.
After six years as a motorcycle enthusiast, Shires said he knew there was a subculture of people extending across the state who liked to spend their free time straddled on metal machines, contorting themselves in awkward positions above rough terrain.
After a snowboarding accident last year that forced him to consider other career options, Shires said he decided to take on the gargantuan task of creating the first high-quality, outdoor nationals-style motorcycle track in New Mexico.
After several classes at UNM's Anderson Schools of Management on the details of running a business, he said he solicited the help of TVI's Small Business Development Center to develop his plan of action.
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After months of searching for a bank that would loan him the more than $250,000 to begin construction, Shires, with the help of his seven local corporate sponsors, broke ground at the site last May.
Four months later, after carefully incorporating the natural ruggedness of the site 21 miles west of Bernalillo, the J-Five Motocross Park opened for business.
"I love seeing the reaction of the riders the first time they're at the park," he said. "My enjoyment comes from hearing their enthusiasm about having a place like this that challenges their skills."
Having to commute from his home near the UNM campus every week, Shires said he is getting a crash course on time management as he tries to juggle the responsibilities of the growing business and his college career.
Shires said the track plays host to one or two races per month with several open days a month, when people can go just to enjoy its seemingly endless jumps and sharp turns.
Wanting to do his part to make the local motocross scene as professional as possible, Shires said he and nationally known Team Solitaire owner Ryan Clark devised a point system to base the track's races on.
He said he has bought trophies for the 31 different race classes that categorize a rider according to their age, ability and bike size and plans on renting out a hotel at the end of the season for an awards banquet.
"I wanted the track to have something for people interested in motocross at all levels," Shires said. "It was the right thing to do. I want to do my part to build the future of this sport as well as help those people with dreams of making it to the pros."
He said he sees that goal coming true when 8-year-old kids are getting advice from seasoned veterans.
"I'm not in this for the glory," Shires said. "Just to give these people a place to do what they love."
The fees for participating in the J-Five's tournament season are upward of $100, but Shires said he is looking for a cheaper insurance carrier to help offset those costs.
Shires said he knows he has accomplished a lot this past year, but has no intentions of easing up. He said he has plans for adding a spectator section at the track to help draw more fans to the events. He also said he would like to someday lobby for a UNM-funded motocross club to get more people involved in the sport.
"The sky is the limit right now," he said. "I'm doing something I love, something that helps people pursue their dreams. What more could I ask for?
