[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he rumble of motorcycles of all makes and models shook the pavement at Cabela’s last weekend as the Capital of Texas Police Motorcycle Chute Out revved into Buda.
The event, according to the Kyle Chamber of Commerce website, has grown from 65 competitors the first year to 124 last year. This year, 165 competitors from 13 different states competed in a series of different motorcycle riding skills in order to raise money for charity.
The elimination competitions feature two riders per heat and can contain a pattern ride, where either the leader or the following rider wins the heat, or a partner ride, where the competitors’ motorcycles are tied together. Competitiors can also participate in a “slow ride” competition.
According to the Kyle Chamber, the event has raised more than $57,000 for charity in the last 3 years, with proceeds going to a different charity each year.
Competitors also vie for prizes such as new helmets, advanced glass motorcycle windshields and motorcycle gear. The winner of the chute out also gets a Texas flag flown in their honor at the State Capitol in Austin courtesy of State Representative Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs)
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said the event is “by far the biggest event in Buda.”
“We don’t have a motorcycle division but we do have Cabela’s, so we get to sponsor/host the chute out,” Ruge said, “We are so lucky to have this event in Buda.”
Multiple local law enforcement departments, including the Buda, Kyle police departments and the Hays County Sheriff, have sponsored the event
Tiffany Curnutt, who is the director of the chute out, said more than one charity would be benefitting from the event’s proceeds this year.
“Seventy-five percent of the funds raised through registration fees from the competitors will be donated to the Sunshine Kids Foundation, and the board voted on the organization to receive the other twenty-five percent, and it will be awarded to the Hays County and Travis County Police Explorers program,” Curnutt said.
Curnutt said the event is more than just officers riding around on motorcycles. It’s a good skill builder and serves as competitive training for the officers that compete.
“Each cone represents a building or a person or a curb,” Curnutt said. “There are a lot of novice riders out here that can learn a lot and take the training they learned back to their departments.”
Curnutt also said that the event is the fastest growing charity event in the nation that they have found. However, she didn’t want to make any promises regarding the event next year until the new Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez signs off on it.
“We’re working on setting up a non-profit for the chute out,” Curnutt said about getting funding for it if the new Travis County Sheriff doesn’t wish to participate next year.
“I hope (Travis County) Sheriff Hernandez wants to continue the event next year,” Ruge said regarding the future of the event in Buda.
So far the event organizers have not charged spectators to watch the competition on Saturdays and there are currently no plans to charge in the future.
“Each team also receives a trophy to take home to their departments,” Curnutt said.
Curnutt said the new Travis County sheriff attended the spectator event on Saturday March 4 but there is no word yet on her impressions of the future of the chute out.
