Directions

Little Egypt Off Road is located 8 miles East of Marion, IL just off of IL Route 13

LEOR physical address: 20439 Ranch Lane, Marion IL 62959 (Crab Orchard Township)

LEOR Mailing Address: P.O. Box 548  Marion, IL 62959

CLUB HISTORY

Who are those guys?

Little Egypt Off Road MC is a young club (late 1997 AMA Charter). However, the charter members are veteran off-road riders with plenty of bench racing stories and more than a few trophies.   Little Egypt started with less than twenty members and with an age span of over three generations, all with riding and racing experience. They left the gate with the throttle pinned.

During 1998 the club began the annual Trail of Tears Hare Scramble Series with help from series sponsor, Players Island Casino. Custom trophies created by club members and Class Champion apparel made the series a resounding success. Also, the 1998 season included the Saline County Arenacross for the fourth consecutive year. Added to that busy schedule were a Mid-South Summer Series Hare Scramble and a Mid-South Winter Series round which brought a record number of riders to the Trail of Tears facility south of Jonesboro, IL.

1998 was victorious beyond many outsiders' predictions. By late autumn and five events into the season, the club was already thinking about the next step up. Several club members traveled to the AMA Headquarters to attend a national promoters' conference. There they went to school with Dave DeSpain, the Coombs family, and other race promoters. With their bags full of new ideas and with the confidence of a successful season riding with them, the team looked to the first corner of 1999 as time to get a hole shot.

In 1999 Little Egypt had two District 18 hare scrambles, which were entitled the SOIL Series and a repeat of the hugely successful Mid-South Summer and winter series. In addition to the Saline County Arenacross, an outdoor motocross track was built at the Jonesboro facility. Three District 18 motocross events were hosted from this location by the club.

Also, in early 1999, Little Egypt applied for a grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant, for land acquisition, was approved, but the site that was originally picked did not meet the criteria. The search for property was on. Club president Lance Martin contacted a local coal company, and found the Crab Orchard property, which in short, is now ours.

Development of the property began in earnest in the fall of 2000 and by Dec 12th the club presented the first public event, a MidSouth Hare Scrambles. Over four hundred riders signed up under cover of our first structure, a 60' revival tent. That event opened the first trail loop that would eventually be available for the public to ride. After fencing over 400 acres and building a clubhouse the land was ready to be enjoyed by the public. On Memorial Day, 2001 the gates were opened for weekend riding.

Since that inaugural date the club and the grounds have continued to grow and improve.  The events have grown in number, stature and participation. The daily attendance has increased yearly as the word of our fine facility has spread throughout the state and beyond.

More trails have been developed for different rider skill levels. Various tracks have been built.  All riders can find something to do at LEOR.

In 2006 an additional 320 acres was opened. This gives LEOR a total of 720 acres for your riding enjoyment.

Come enjoy the trails, scenery, and people that make LEOR a great place to visit. You can even buy food and parts at the club house.

LEOR has many events planned each year.  AHRMA vintage events, AMA enduros and hare scrambles.  Many fun events are scheduled throughout the year.

Check our Event Schedule often to see new added events!

Several members at LEOR are trials riders. The Shawnee Trials Riders of Illinois have been busy at LEOR and have developed many challenging trials sections to be used by trials riders to practice that fine art of balance and skill. Check our event schedule for trials activities.  Also learn more about the Shawnee Trials riders at www.shawneetrials.com      

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