The competition is always intense at the Washougal MX National. The race returns to Clark County on Saturday, July 20. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

The biggest sporting event in Clark County attracts more than 20,000 fans

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The biggest sporting event in Clark County is set to return as fans from across the country head to scenic park to watch athletes from around the world compete at the Washougal MX Park.

The Pro Motocross Championship is in the Northwest this weekend with the 43rd running of the MotoSport.com Washougal National, presented by Peterson CAT. This is the eighth round of the 2024 outdoor season.

Saturday’s profession event is also part of what is now called the SuperMotoCross World Championship Series, which records points at each stop for the stadium series over the winter — Supercross — and the outdoor courses of the summer — motocross — into one big championship for the best of the best in both seasons.

The course in the forest at Washougal MX Park makes for challenging racing for the athletes, as they maneuver their machines in and out of shadows on the hilly course. The Washougal National returns to Washougal this week. Photo courtesy MX Sport Pro Racing, Inc.

Another added feature is that the Washougal stop on the series has been designated Military Appreciation Day.

The event will be a celebration of both veteran and active-duty service members, in recognition of the sacrifices they’ve made in defense of our country.

Washougal organizers, the Huffman family, will collaborate with the Veteran Motocross Foundation to ensure all enthusiasts within the industry that have served will have a chance to be part of this special event.

Look for more on local veterans helping out at Washougal MX Park later this week in a story to be posted at Clark County Today.

Washougal MX Park is one of the most challenging courses on the series, according to industry insiders. The course, built along a hillside, moves around towering trees, which gives the athletes a challenge as they go in and out of shadows in the middle of summer. Then there is the Horsepower Hill, the Ski Jump, the technical in-and-out of the Catcher’s Mitt, and the infamous “whoops” that lead to the finish line.

Scheduled to compete on Saturday include: American-born racers such as Jason Anderson, Haiden Deegan, Chance Hymas, Aaron Plessinger, and Chase Sexton. They’ll go up against elite international stars, including Hunter Lawrence of Australia, Dylan Ferrandis and Tom Vialle of France, and rising Japanese star Jo Shimoda.

And, of course, there is hometown hero Levi Kitchen, who grew up within walking distance of the Washougal MX Park. Kitchen went 1-1 in both motos last week to claim the 250 class of the Spring Creek National in Minnesota.

Sexton is the points leader in the 450 class, just ahead of Lawrence.

Deegan leads the 250 class this year, with Kitchen in second place.