Cape Coral is set to host a Florida State BMX Championship event at Strausser BMX Park on May 15.

The race is expected to attract some 1,200 riders ranging in age from 3 to 50 and older.

Racers have been accumulating points through state qualifying and local races around the state to earn entry in the State Championship.

Each age class comes down to three motos and a main race to decide the champion in rookie, novice, expert, girls, cruisers and professional divisions.

Racing is fast, colorful, and filled with excitement. Riders take off from an elevated starting gate and snake their way around a winding course at up to 30 miles per hour over hills, tabletops, jumps as well as three steeply banked paved berms.

Anything can, and often does, happen. Crashes occur, but riders are seldom seriously injured. All riders are required to wear protective clothing and helmets.

The schedule allows practice runs only on May 14 with races beginning at 9 a.m. May 15. Awards and trophies are given out during a ceremony at Harborside Event Center on the final day – May 16.

BMX is now a Summer Olympic Sport with some of the best BMX racers in the nation racing from Florida and racing at this event.