The FLY Racing Washougal MX National is also the military appreciation event for the Pro Motocross Championship series, and some 20,000 fans are expected to attend Saturday’s event
Paul Valencia
Clark County Today
The best motocross riders in the world are in Clark County, and while the racing community is saluting them, they are saluting veterans and first responders.
Once again, the FLY Racing Washougal National is also the Military Appreciation race for the Pro Motocross Championship series.
More than 20,000 fans are expected to attend Saturday’s professional event, with two motos each in the 450 and 250 classes, at the Washougal MX Park. The park is located in the hills about eight miles from downtown Washougal up Washougal River Road.
The fans will witness the best of the best, including hometown favorite Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Kitchen grew up so close to the Washougal MX Park that there was a dirt path from his family’s property to the track.
“Land of the free, man. It’s awesome,” Kitchen said of having Washougal host the military appreciation again.
Beyond the professionals taking over the course on Saturday, the park also features amateur racing in the days leading up to the National.
That includes motos for military veterans and first responders as part of the Warrior Class series.The Army won the Branch Battle last year. This year, the Marines were in first place at the last check.
“The track crew has always been pro military,” said Marine veteran Chris Wilkinson of Port Orchard, Wash. Wilkinson has been coming to Washougal for years, as an amateur rider and a fan.
He loves that he gets to race with no entry fee for the Warrior Class event.
“We appreciate this big thank you,” he said.
Wilkinson has met a number of fellow veterans through the years due to his passion for motocross
“It’s the best thing in life,” he said of the sport. “I’ve been coming down to this track since I was 15 years old, watching my heroes. It’s intensity. It’s physical fitness. It’s technical skill. There is a mental toughness aspect to it. It teaches kids to never give up.”
Shelly Huffman, one of the owners of the Washougal MX Park, is thrilled to be associated with military appreciation again.
“It’s an honor to celebrate and lift up our military brothers and sisters,” Huffman said. “We are proud of our continued relationship with the Veteran MX Foundation and their support to our veterans through throttle therapy. We are committed to do everything we can to support those who keep us safe and protect our freedoms.”
The FLY Racing Washougal National is the eighth stop in the summer outdoor series for the Pro Motocross Championship. This is the 44th national in Washougal.
“The Huffman family is excited to continue Ralph’s legacy of bringing world-class motocross racing to the Pacific Northwest,” Shelly Huffman said.
Ralph Huffman is the patriarch of the family, which has owned the park for decades. Ralph died in 2021. There is a memorial rock on the grounds of the motocross park.
“We are proud of the positive impact Washougal brings to the local communities and the racing world,” Shelly said.
The track’s local announcer, Curtis Paulson, is celebrating 26 years of working at the park.
“Every year is different” for the national, he said. “Sometimes it’s hot. Sometimes it’s rainy and muddy.”
This year? The weather is supposed to be perfect for riders and fans. No rain and not too hot.
Amateur racing brings plenty of family and friends, but the day of the National will bring thousands to the park.
“It’s almost like a family reunion,” Paulson said. “You see folks come back once a year. They spend their vacation time here in the foothills of Washougal. It’s one of the most scenic tracks. This is just a fantastic family event that has grown and grown. It’s fun to be a small part of it.”
The Kitchen family is a big part of this event, as well.
“I’m really motivated to do well here and just focus on the race, then hang out with some friends and family after,” Levi Kitchen said of his goal this week.
He also saw all the signs in Washougal welcoming race fans, and, specifically, cheering him on this week.
“I appreciate all the people who support me,” Kitchen said. “I’m just trying to inspire younger kids to chase their dreams.”
Kitchen is currently in third place in the season points race for the 250 class. Haiden Deegan of California is in first place. Jo Shimodo of Japan is in second place.
Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence of Australia are 1-2 in the 450 class.
For tickets and more information, go to: https://washougalmxpk.com/
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