David Stevens’ BC Harley Racing team prioritizes community first at fundraisers
One glance from the confines of a four-door motor vehicle to a group of Harley-Davidson riders roaring through McMinnville may be grounds for some to make assumptions of their mission.
But there is more than meets the eye for one group in particular.
Their black leather vests and bikes of varying shapes, sizes and colors are more than a fashion trend; they represent the uniform of the Baker Creek Harley Racing Team. These men and women are more than Harley enthusiasts; they are drag racers, loyal community members, pleasant friends and philanthropists who use their platform to give back to McMinnville through any means necessary.
Formed early in 2024 by David Stevens and Judy Meierotto, the BC Racing team began as a group of three competing at the Woodburn Dragstrip. The team continues to race at Woodburn, but now consists of 12 racers and 31 members – all who serve a crucial part to ensure their efforts on the track and in the community are as connected as rubber on asphalt.
“Everybody has a purpose,” Stevens said. “It’s one big family.”
In May, the ever-growing team competed in its first race weekend as part of the 6th Annual Nostalgia Nationals at Woodburn, which had 145 drivers participate. Chris Sook (aka Trooper) placed second in the V-Twin section on his ‘24 Harley. Sook, with a background in motocross, also serves as the team’s head mechanic.
“He’s a very valuable man with his knowledge and his heart,” Stevens said of Sook. “He helps all the racers out, even me.”
Matt Evans (aka Matador), the team’s general manager, was named the race MVP at the Nostalgia Nationals. The award is determined through a voting process by all participants throughout the season and can be recognized for various contributions, including integrity, race performance, merit, personal growth, acts of kindness and motivation.
Adrenaline rushes and the smell of “spicy fuel,” as referred to by Sook, and burning rubber are just some of the reasons why the racing team was created.
“You blow a tire out of your nostrils for a week,” Stevens said about the fumes that circulate through the air during a drag race.
Stevens’ first drag race was last June. He won against a man named Turbo, but has not seen victory since. Despite the ongoing stretch of winless races, Stevens echoes similar sentiments to all of his racers about what makes the sport alluring.
From months of preparation to a split second, the entire surrounding world disappears as racers fly down the dragstrip like an airplane departing from the tarmac.
On modified a Harley (either with race fuel guzzled up or built to be a non-street legal dragster), the drivers creep to a tree of flashing lights that welcomes them to a 1/4 mile of asphalt that leads to the finish line.
The top two yellow lights flash... the eyes settle onto an object in the distance.
Bottom two yellow... hands tighten around the bike handles.
One…two…three… green lights flash, boots squelch off the track and with no hesitation the racers are off at speeds over 100 mph.
“My favorite thing is when you pull up to the tree and you’re getting ready to race, you put your feet down and they stick to the track,” Stevens said. “Then you pick out something way down there, don’t take your eyes off it and you’re gone as quick as you can go.”
One of the team’s fastest and spunkiest racers, Katy Hall, is new to the drag racing scene, and loves camaraderie that exists off the track.
Having never done any type of drag racing, Hall was nervous the first time she was on a bike going over 90 mph, but learned to love the exhilaration of speeding down the strip. She settled in quickly and found a new home with BC Harley that allows her to leave concerns behind on the bike and make new friends off the road.
“What I like about doing the drag race is the safety and the freedom of the speed,” Hall said. “I feel like I can let go of a lot of the worries that I have when I’m on the open road. I’m not worried about a pothole, a deer or another car. I’m not worried about anything. I can just let go.”
Racing is a luxury the BC Harley team enjoys when they can, but it is not all they pride themselves on.
Stevens and his team host numerous charity events, lunch rides and bike shows with a commitment to giving back to the community that drives them to excellence.
Saying no to someone in need is not in Stevens’ vocabulary.
The racing organization first made itself known before last Christmas when they delivered 150 new toys to the Willamette Valley Medical Center campus for new mothers in the birthing center. Since then, the group has been in close contact with the center’s women’s services director, Jennifer Von Derahe, to continue with fundraising events, including a monthly delivery of stuffed animals for children and families.
“Since that day the angels of BC Harley racing have embraced this hospital and embraced (Jennifer) and her department and have just gone overboard with kindness,” said Cyndi Leinassar, Willamette Valley’s marketing and personal relations director.
The outpouring of support from Stevens’ team has been more than expected for Derahe and Leinassar. In December, they anticipated BC Harley would provide items for the birthing center, but were surprised when parade of Santas rode in.
Stevens is always looking ahead for the next opportunity to give back. Most recently, with a sparkle in his eye, he committed to raising money ($2,950) for the birthing center in its endeavor to purchase a cuddle cot (a specialized device that provides a cooling system for stillborn or deceased infants, allowing families to spend extended time with their baby.)
Derahe praised BC Harley for their support and appreciated of everyone, including the hospital’s doctors, for their commitment to providing local women with all the necessary care to live a stress-free life. BC Harley and the birthing center have formed a strong relationship over the past year, with the team creating “The Magnificent 7,” a group of committed women that exemplify community and charity values by continuously discovering innovative ways to enhance the lives of families in McMinnville.
As on the track, there was little hesitation in agreeing to raise funds for the device. If it was needed, Stevens would make it happen before knowing what the cost would be.
“We told the hospital that we would take care of that,” Stevens said.
BC Harley arranged the first Bikestock, a private charity event held at the hospital on Saturday, June 21. Stevens hopes to turn it into an annual fundraiser.
Held just outside the birthing center, Bikestock included live music from Austin Randle and Array, a 50/50 raffle and a bike show with all entry fees and donations going to the center.
Rain poured down the entire time BC Harley and other groups gathered for the event, but it did not dampen the spirit of anyone in attendance. Stevens and his team engaged in friendly conversation with all who showed up and there was only one thing on the CEO’s mind as support was delivered in droves: how could the event get bigger and better.
BC Harley’s next race will begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 2 at Woodburn during a Saturday Specialty Racing Series. In the meantime, all members of the team will be focused on tinkering with their bikes and giving back to the communities of Yamhill County.
Anyone interested in donating to the Willamette Valley Medical Center or in learning more about BC Harley can contact David Stevens at 971-237-1347.
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