If you go
› What: Kenda Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro› Where: Trials Training Center, 300 Woodland Road, Sequatchie, Tennessee› When: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18; 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19› Admission: $15 ages 6 and up each day for spectators› For more information: 423-942-8688SCHEDULESaturday7 a.m. Gates open9 a.m. TKO Race 19:45 a.m. Women’s qualifying race1 p.m. TKO Race 23:30 p.m. Women’s final race5 p.m. Award CeremonySunday7 a.m. Gates open7:30 a.m. Chapel service in pavilion (optional)9 a.m. Hot lap on short course10:15 a.m. Knockout Race 11 p.m. Knockout Race 23:30 p.m. Final knockout4:45 p.m. Award ceremony
What event could lure more than 5,000 spectators from around the country into the woods of a small Marion County town?
The Kenda Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro off-road motorcycle race, which draws some of the top riders from around the world to tiny Sequatchie, Tennessee, to test their skills against this race course.
"The route is known as the most extreme Enduro in North America," says Catherine Bedley, TKO administrative organizer.
Ben Kelley will be among the 264 male riders in this weekend's TKO off-road motorcycle championship. / TKO Contributed Photo
The Kenda Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro takes place in Sequatchie on Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. A total of 276 riders (264 males, 12 females) will test their skills against the ruts, rocks, roots, boulders and logs that litter the wooded course.
Among those riders will be Cody Webb of California, the returning champ who will shoot for his sixth consecutive TKO championship.
Bedley says the women race on Saturday, and the three with the fastest times will advance to Sunday's race. The remainder are eliminated, or knocked out. Of the amateur male riders racing Saturday, 30 will advance to ride against the pros on Sunday.
Sunday's event is a four-race format. The opening race at 9 a.m. is a hot lap, which sets the starting order for the first long race at 10:15 a.m.
The fastest 25 riders in that race advance to the second long race at 1 p.m.; and the top 15 from that ride will advance to the final knockout at 3:30 p.m. Cash prizes are awarded winners.
The course is spectator-friendly since riders are visible from a half-dozen places along the track. The overall event is family-friendly in that guests may bring their coolers with picnic lunches, or purchase concessions sold on-site.
For more information: http://tennesseeknockoutenduro.com.