MOUNT MORRIS, Pa. — The mere mention of any legendary American racing tracks like Daytona and Indianapolis will start any die-hard motor sports enthusiast’s heart.
But for motocross riders and fans, there’s another venerated venue that inspires a mecca-like following for dirt bikers — and it’s just minutes from Morgantown.
It’s High Point Raceway across the Mason-Dixon Line in Pennsylvania, and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship tour continues with the 43rd Annual Circle K High Point National race Saturday.
“From the athletes’ point of view,” Championship Tour media manager Casey Huntley said, “there are several technical reasons why High Point is so popular. After three weeks in California and Colorado, the tour makes its first stop back on the East Coast, and many of our top riders are very comfortable with the consistency of the dirt here compared to the harder, more compact surfaces out West. It seems to hold more moisture, so it’s less slippery and more predictable. Many have trained on this type of dirt their whole lives, so it’s a little like coming home to them.”
Perhaps the feature that makes High Point a premier stop on the National tour is the unparalleled track views for spectators.
“Unlike many other venues where the courses are basically on the flat, and spectators can only see one small portion of the course, High Point is essentially in a deep bowl surrounded by grass hills,” Huntley said. “That allows the fans to have a near 100% view of the entire course below them from almost any vantage point. Additionally, the jumps were specifically engineered to sit directly in front of the main spectator areas, so the fans get to see the riders go big right in front of their eyes. It’s really a spectacular venue for watching a motocross race, one of the best in the world.”
Race day begins at 8:30 a.m. with practice and qualifying, followed by opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m., with the First Motos for the 450 cc and 250 cc classes beginning at 1 p.m., and the finals for both classes set to start at 3 p.m.
There are several levels of ticket prices and packages available, ranging from general admission Saturday for Adults of $40, and $20 for kids ages 6-11, up to VIP super tickets ($200 adults/$100 kids) that include admission today-Saturday, Pro Pit access Saturday, and other options. More info can be found at www.ProMotocross.com.
Some of the best dirtbike riders, from two-time 450 Class champion Eli Tomac, to challengers Marvin Musquin, Ken Roczen, Blake Baggett and Jason Anderson, fly around the High Point track wasn’t enough, there’s another, home-grown reason to make the little trip north on Saturday: Morgantown native and 450 Class Pro racer Aerian Weaver will attempt to qualify for the finals for the first time in his brief professional career, and he’d like nothing more than to do it in front a few thousand of his fellow West Virginians.
“I can’t wait to get out there on Saturday and race in front of all my friends,” said Weaver, whose father Randy is also his mechanic. “There’s nothing like that final huge jump at the finish line at High Point, especially with folks there cheering you on. Come on out — it’s gonna be a blast.”
