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Some photos courtesy of Richie West 

If you've been reading the local papers lately, you know that these are challenging days for motocross people. Recent articles have underlined--and maybe worsened--the problems that motocrossers face in finding places to ride, and it's sometimes seemed that certain local people wouldn't care if motocross and off-road riding disappeared completely from the area. To them, the sport seems selfish, and so the people who do it must be too.

So it's a downer that none of them likely visited the West Racing Christmas Food Drive, which took place Sunday at the Straw Hat Pizza in Sparks. If they had, they would have seen dozens of local motocross riders and fans who stood outside for four hours to collect food for Evelyn Mount's community outreach program. Better yet, they may have even met some local motocross people, and maybe even found that they aren't exactly what they figured them to be.

But enough of the irony and self-congratulation. All of the people there were less interested in changing minds about motocross than they were in filling a box van with food that would help a great cause. And in the end, that goal was fulfilled as Richie West and his crew of riders and helpers delivered a substantial amount of groceries to Ms. Mount that evening (see above.)

The credit for this success belongs to Richie West and the crew of riders who brought out their bikes, signed autographs and helped pack and unload the van (that would be Tony Evans, Nathan Tiearney, Steve Marty, Eric Gillen, Matt Bussell, Josh Jacobs, Justin Mastalka, Brian Sjogren, Willie Welch, Kenny Bell, Cameron and Mitch Bellamy, and, of course, your reporter,) Pete Hahn at MDK, Larry Lancelle at Straw Hat Pizza, Brock at New West Distributing, Mark at Sonic Burger, Justin at Kat's Coffee, Elton at Clearwire, Layne Kolbet at Big Valley Honda, Jones West Ford, Clint Bloodworth, Debbie West (who donated additional cash to the cause,) Russ Martinez (who alone brought in 25 turkeys) and everyone who stopped by to donate food or just show their support.

Here are more photos from the day:

The West Racing bikes were on hand for everyone to eyeball at will.

It didn't take long for the food to start pouring in. 

Steve Marty's supermoto bike could have destroyed that very parking lot.

Nate Tiearney, Captain of the West Racing Frisbee Team.

Fact: serious racers cross-train by transporting food for the needy. 

Riders discuss issues of the day. 

Tony Evans' ride is exotic.

Richie West's daughter did her part...

 ...as did my Ava. Their part, incidentally, was helping to provide the much-needed cuteness for the event.