When it came to the rain-soaked fourth-annual Hahn Brothers Supercross Shootout, organizers told the Great Bend City Council Monday night that they played the cards dealt to them.

“Attendance was low, probably because of the rain,” said Chelsea Mermis, who along with her husband Trent and friends Missi Amerine and Craig Amerine coordinated the event. But, “we had a  huge success.”

There was a six-hour weather delay on Saturday, Sept. 24. They were able to finish all the motorcycle events, but had to postpone the utility vehicle races until the following Sunday.

Nonetheless, the shootout still attracted amateur and professional riders from all over the country, Mermis said. “We’re creating quite a buzz in the motocross world.”

The motocross tracks are located west of Great Bend north of the Great Bend Expo Complex. Mermis said she received many positive comments from race participants about the quality of the facilities.

She said they are trying to encourage more young people to attend the races. They distributed 400 free-admission vouchers for children in local schools, 140 of which were redeemed.

That’s a good start, she said.

Mermis went on to thank the City Council, city employees, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association for their help. 

Now, in addition to the shootout, Mermis said they want to start a non-profit organization “to give back to the community.” The idea is to help troubled youth locally and around the state.

The Hahn Brothers are originally from Belpre Kansas/Great Bend area and help bring in top racers as guest appearances. It took months to plan the first event in 2013, but the hard work paid off and its been held every year since.