Sunshine State Nationals held at Strausser BMX complex in Cape
This past weekend, nearly 1,000 riders from across the country and around the world between the ages of 4 and 74 competed at the Sunshine State Nationals held at the Strausser BMX Sports Complex is at 1410 S.W. 6th Place in Cape Coral.
The event served as an official qualifier for the 2026 UCI BMX World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, and offered the chance to earn a spot on Team USA’s Challenge Team to represent the country internationally.
Justin Wahl, media engagement specialist at USA BMX, the sanctioning body of BMX racing in the United States, said this is one of 30 national events they hold throughout the season. And you don’t have to be a hotshot to qualify.
“This is a chance for United States qualifiers to get onto that team at the challenge and amateur levels,” Wahl said. “We split it up between age and proficiency (and even the type of bikes). It could be 4-year-old beginners or an 80-year-old riding their entire lives. We have riders between two and 80 racing.”
The action was fast and furious. Racers in brightly colored uniforms took the turns and jumps at high speeds with the PA announcer calling the races that resembled something between a horse racing announcer and an auctioneer. In fact, new races started before the previous one ended.
The Nationals also provide some exposure and tourism dollars for the city and county. Close to $1 million is expected to come in because of this event, said Nick Jones, who runs the Strausser BMX complex, a non-profit organization run by volunteers.
“It’s not the largest event we’ve ever had, but the biggest we’ve had in a while. It’s good for the city as it brings in tourism dollars and we’ve worked hard maintaining the track. We have one of the nicest facilities in the country,” Jones said. “Our volunteers give their time to bring us a facility like this.”
It’s not uncommon to see the whole family racing. They also race at tracks in Naples, Punta Gorda and Sarasota or at the 11 other tracks in the state.
All the racers have multiple chances to race throughout the three-day event that started Friday afternoon. Some could end up winning their division three times in a weekend.
Drake Velador, from California, has won a lot. He is the defending world champion in the age 17-24 cruiser division. He said he loves the challenge of taking on the best.
“It’s hard. A lot of people do easy things. Me and the other riders here do hard stuff, so we keep coming back. It’s a good adrenaline rush and a great game we play,” Velador said. “Every race is different so I keep coming back to see what they’re all about.”
The oldest racer in Cape Coral this week was 71. There were many older riders taking the track, including a bunch of females in their 50s who were getting ready for their turn.
Lisa White, from Cape Coral, is 55 and is going on her fifth year in BMX. She got into it the same way many older people do.
“My son was racing. I wanted to do it, I did and got hooked on it,” said White, whose son is the current state champion on a cruiser bike. “I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I’m very competitive.”
Misty Privett, 51, from California, said her late husband’s granddaughter came to live with them and they taught her how to ride a bike.
“There was a track nearby. She started racing. The people there thought I was cool to be out there so they put me on a bike,” Privett said. “I’m third and sixth nationally in my age group.”
Of course, it’s the kids who take much of the stage. Sawyer Murphee, 8, from Cape Coral, is one of the top racers in his age group. He said he started at age 3.
“I started on a balance bike. I like that there’s a lot of competition and I make a lot of friends here,” Murphee said.