One way to get people together is putting a title on an event. BMX Amsterdam put the title Open Dutch BMX Dirt Championship on the poster and the people came. Stijn Hens and Kenneth Tancré made it an international comp as the Belgians were put on the list last minute and Stijn had to borrow a helmet to ride the three jumps that were chosen to crown the champion at the end of the day. It was our first time are BMX Amsterdam, located on the West-Siiiide of Amsterdam at the Grifioen Outdoor facility. It was hard to find a parking spot but that was also caused by the athlethics tournament that took place next to BMX Amsterdam and us arriving fairly late. Practice was just being wrapped up and the comp started with younger age groups. Riders could pick their lines. There were 4 of them to choose from. The table line on the left was most popular with the younger age groups and parents classes, the small table line next to it was an option also and the third line from the left had gaps in between the take-off and landing and was shaped in a bit of a hip kind of way. The bigger line had a huge starting hill and mega kickers and was used by the brave riders in the age groups and the pro class riders.
Taj Mihelich made a presence at BMX Amsterdam. The BMX legend was on a bicycle trip in Europe and pedaled to the ONK to witness the event and check out the facility. The newly added pump track was a nice addition to the already amazing place which has a roller section, spine miniramp with box and an indoor facility with park and street sections also.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.