Every year hundreds of motocross riders and fans pack the FoodMaxx Arena during the Stanislaus County Fair. The motocross event is a popular attraction at the fair and draws a large number of riders, making each event a long affair, often going into the wee hours of the morning. The 38th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors decided to make a change that will, hopefully, give motocross riders and their fans a little bit more slumber time. On Monday, the board unanimously approved to have daytime preliminary races, then a slack period prior to the main motocross event.  
“It will be a cleaner and shorter evening show,” said Chris Borovansky, Stanislaus County Fair chief executive officer.
The daytime preliminary races will be open to the public and free with fair admission.
“It adds an additional value for our fairgoers,” said Ray Souza, fair director.
The preliminary races will be held around 2 p.m. on July 24 before the big motocross show at 7: 30 p.m., Borovansky said.
Fair-goers can attend the preliminary races to watch motocross riders rev up their engines to compete for a place in the final competition that will take place during the big motocross event that night.
Fair administrators are expecting the preliminary races to last around two hours, ending about 4 p.m. to around 4:30 p.m., when security will then come in to sweep the grandstands for the final motocross competition that night, he said. Tickets are needed to attend the motocross event that night at 7:30 p.m. in the arena.
Tickets for the motocross event, along with other shows at the Stanislaus County Fair will go on sale May 1.