More than 20,000 race fans expected to attend largest sporting event in the region

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The roar of the motors is only overcome by the roar of the crowd.

The biggest sporting event in Southwest Washington is set to return this weekend as some of the best riders in the world return to Clark County.

It’s almost time for the Washougal MX National, where motocross rules.

“This year, the buzz is off the chain,” according to Curtis Paulson, the longtime announcer for the track.

Washougal’s own Levi Kitchen is expected to compete. He missed the Washougal National last year after breaking his wrist just days before the event.

He is back, and Paulson said that is driving up interest.

Plus, it is another year removed from the pandemic.

“Some people took a little longer than others to get over the fear of COVID and all of that,” Paulson said.

This year, however, presale tickets, including early-entry tickets, are the highest the park has ever seen.
“The weather looks to be perfect. It’s going to be quite a raucous crowd,” Paulson said.

Conservative estimates say that race day brings in more than 20,000 fans to the world-famous motocross track that is located about eight miles from downtown Washougal up Washougal River Road.

“The picturesque tree-line landscape of Clark County’s Washougal MX Park, nestled amidst a sea of evergreens … has thrilled race fans and challenged racers dating back to 1980,” according to a press release from Pro Motocross Championships.

This is the 24th year that Pauson has worked at Washougal MX Park. It never gets old for him, heading to the course.

“If you look at the first seven rounds on TV,” he said of the motocross series, “nothing presents quite like Washougal does with the trees, the crowds,” Paulson said.

At some tracks, he noted, it doesn’t even look like there are many people there. 

“When there is a crowd at Washougal, you see the crowd,” Paulson said. “The bikes weave in and out of the crowd.”

And those trees, too. Washougal is famous for its trees.

Those trees also create a new challenge for the riders. On a hot sunny day, the track surface is different in the open spaces than in the shadows. Riders, even the best in the world, have difficulties in trying to maneuver through the 1.7-mile course that has approximately 20 turns on a big hillside that lends to elevation changes.

The Motosport.com Washougal MX National is the eighth in an 11-round series for the summer Pro Motocross Championship. 

Jett Lawrence of Australia comes to Washougal perfect through seven rounds in the 450-classification. That’s right. He’s won all 14 motos in the seven events.

Chase Sexton battled Lawrence tough this past weekend in Minnesota.

“A lot of people want to see if Jett can continue to be undefeated,” Paulson said. “Sexton rides good at Washougal.”

Or better than good. Sexton has won the past two Washougal MX Nationals.

Kitchen will ride in the 250 class in Washougal, just about a half mile from the family home.

With interest — and ticket sales — surging, Paulson has words of advice for fans who are coming for Saturday’s national. Get on the road early.

There are two ways to get to the park, Paulson said. Drive Washougal River Road or drive over Mount Norway. Practice starts at 8 a.m. Saturday.

“If you want to see practice, you really need to be on one of those routes at 5:30 in the morning,” Paulson said. “If you’re any later than that you might be in traffic for three hours.”

Seriously. 

More than 20,000 fans are expected to attend in a place that is not easy to get in and out of each year. Patience is key, especially when leaving the park Saturday afternoon.

Practice and qualifying for the Washougal MX National starts at 8 a.m. Saturday. Opening ceremonies are at 12:30 p.m. The first Motos are 1 p.m., with the second Motos starting at 2:30 p.m.Tickets are $70 for Saturday general admission, and $30 for pit passes from 9 a.m. to noon. To purchase tickets online, go here: https://washougalmx.ticketspice.com/washougal-pro-motocross-nationals-2023